Karkuş, one of the lesser-known wine grapes of Turkey, is the hero of our article today. Turkey's wine industry, which has been accelerating especially in the last 20 years, is giving one of its biggest tests in bringing back to life the endemic grapes, whose existence has been forgotten or neglected for many years.
WAYANA is our wine house in Kadıköy, Istanbul, serving only Turkish wines and bringing the richest collection of Turkish wines to wine lovers. More than 400 wines from 75 producers are included in the WAYANA Wine Menu. Among the wines on this menu, there are also examples of Karkus (aka Kerküş) wines of Shiluh and Midin brands.
Karkuş, which is used to make white wine, is an extremely thick-skinned grape. As a natural result of this shell structure, it allows the production of dark colored, high tannin wines. Even wines that are not aged in barrels have an orange color.
Karkuş ripens under the influence of the scorching temperatures of the southeastern Anatolia region. One of the most important effects of such a hot geography on grapes is the high sugar content. If we remember that sugar is transformed into alcohol by fermentation, we will generally understand the cycle behind the 15% alcohol level of Karkuş wines.
Midyat-based Shiluh Winery blends Karkuş grape with Mezrona grape and comes up with a white wine called Kustan. Kustan acquires its amber color when its must spends some time with the grape skins during winemaking.
Midin Winery has Karkus wines, both with and without a barrel. Midin immediately removes the rind from the must in his own wines. However, we have mentioned before that its color derives from its shell structure. Karkuş whites are different examples from other white wines with their high tannins. Wines, both with and without barrels, are examples that will be enjoyed by wine lovers who prioritize tannin in white wine.
We would like to thank both Shiluh Winery and Midin Winery for bringing Karkuş grape to us. We are eagerly awaiting the new variants that will appear in the forthcoming harvests with Karkus currant.
