Madrasa: Azerbaijan's Indigenous Red Treasure
How to pronounce Madrasa and key terms
Azerbaijan's ancient pink-skinned grape, cultivated since the 15th century and recognized as the country's signature variety.
Madrasa is Azerbaijan's indigenous pink-skinned red grape, cultivated since at least the 15th century in the Shamakhi and Ganja regions. The variety produces rich red wines, rosés with citrusy notes, and fortified blends, with aromas of raspberry, wild berries, and cherry jam. Recognized as a Slow Food Presidia member since 2021, Madrasa is experiencing a well-earned revival.
- Indigenous to the village of Mədrəsə in the Shamakhi region of Azerbaijan
- Pink-skinned variety that ripens from bright pink to dark blue with round, thick, waxy skin
- Cultivated since at least the 15th century; documented in the 19th century
- At its peak in the 1870s-80s, 50,000 hectares were planted with Madrasa
- The 1985 Soviet anti-alcohol campaign destroyed over 130,000 hectares of Azerbaijani vines
- Sugar concentration reaches 23-24% in Shamakhi and 20-21% in Ganja
- Inducted into the Slow Food Presidia in 2021, recognizing it as a variety worth preserving
Origins and Heritage
Madrasa takes its name directly from the village of Mədrəsə in the Shamakhi region of Azerbaijan, where it has been cultivated since at least the 15th century. The grape was formally documented in the 19th century, by which point it had already spread across thousands of hectares in the Southern Caucasus. At its height during the 1870s and 1880s, 50,000 hectares were planted with Madrasa across Azerbaijan. That legacy was catastrophically disrupted in 1985, when the Soviet anti-alcohol campaign led to the uprooting of over 130,000 hectares of vines across the country. Today, Madrasa is recognized as Azerbaijan's signature indigenous variety and was admitted to the Slow Food Presidia in 2021.
- Named after the village of Mədrəsə in Shamakhi
- Documented cultivation stretching back to the 15th century
- 50,000 hectares planted in the 1870s-80s, severely reduced over the past century
- Slow Food Presidia member since 2021
Viticulture and Growing Regions
Madrasa thrives at elevations of 700 to 800 meters in the Shamakhi and Ismailli districts, with additional plantings in Ganja, Goygol, and Samukh. The Ganja region is the biggest producer of Madrasa today. The mountainous geography is influenced by proximity to the Caspian Sea, creating conditions that range from dry to cool to wet depending on the site. Vines are midsize with strong root systems and sharp leaves. The variety matures early, reaching harvest in August in Ganja and September in Shamakhi. Sugar concentrations vary by site, hitting 20-21% in Ganja and climbing to 23-24% in Shamakhi.
- Grown at 700-800 meters in Shamakhi and Ismailli districts
- Ganja is the largest producing region for Madrasa
- Matures in August in Ganja, September in Shamakhi
- Sugar levels reach 23-24% in Shamakhi, 20-21% in Ganja
Grape Characteristics
Madrasa is a pink-skinned red variety that ripens from bright pink to dark blue. The berries are round with thick, waxy skin and greenish, juicy flesh, a combination that contributes to the variety's natural stability. Wines made from Madrasa can resist naturally for up to two years without alteration. During crushing and fermentation, 50% of the spirit is recovered, making Madrasa well suited to fortified production as well as dry and sweet styles.
- Pink-skinned berry that deepens to dark blue at full ripeness
- Thick, waxy skin with greenish juicy flesh
- Wines naturally stable for up to two years without alteration
- 50% spirit recovery during crushing and fermentation
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Train your palate →Wine Styles and Notable Expressions
Madrasa produces a broad range of styles including dry reds, rosés with citrusy notes, sweet wines, and fortified blends. Alcohol levels range from 9 to 14%. The aromatic profile centers on raspberry, wild berries, cherries, and spices, with flavors leaning toward cherry jam and ripe red fruits. Notable labeled expressions include Giz Galasi, Yeddi Gozal, Gara Gila, Naznazi, and Xan Madrasa. Xan Madrasa has earned two gold medals and one bronze at the International Wine Contest Monde Selection. Key producers working with the variety include Vinagro, Chabiant, and Meysari Organic Winery.
- Produces dry reds, rosés, sweet wines, and fortified blends at 9-14% alcohol
- Aromas of raspberry, wild berries, cherries, and spices
- Xan Madrasa won 2 gold and 1 bronze at the Monde Selection
- Notable wines include Giz Galasi, Yeddi Gozal, and Naznazi
Rich aromas of raspberry, wild berries, cherries, and warm spices. On the palate, cherry jam and ripe red fruits dominate, supported by firm tannins. Rosé expressions show citrusy lift, while sweet and fortified styles develop greater concentration and depth.
- Vinagro Madrasa$12-18Entry-level expression from one of Azerbaijan's key Madrasa producers, showing the variety's red fruit character.Find →
- Chabiant Xan Madrasa$25-35Award-winning Madrasa that earned two gold medals at the International Wine Contest Monde Selection.Find →
- Meysari Organic Winery Madrasa$30-45Organically produced Madrasa from a notable Azerbaijani estate focused on indigenous variety preservation.Find →
- Madrasa is an autochthonous pink-skinned red variety indigenous to the village of Mədrəsə, Shamakhi, Azerbaijan.
- Cultivation documented since at least the 15th century; 50,000 hectares planted at peak in the 1870s-80s.
- The 1985 Soviet anti-alcohol campaign uprooted over 130,000 hectares of vines in Azerbaijan, devastating Madrasa plantings.
- Ganja is the largest producing region; sugar concentration reaches 23-24% in Shamakhi vs 20-21% in Ganja.
- Admitted to Slow Food Presidia in 2021; recognized as Azerbaijan's signature indigenous grape variety.