Assyrian wines from Mardin and Midyat: Middle East winemaking traditions

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Winemaking in the Upper Mesopotamia enjoys a very long history and the roots of it go back several millennia. According to legend the first vineyards were grown there by Noah soon after the end of the Great Flood. Now one of his alleged tombs is located in the town of Cizre, which belongs to this area.

Already at the time of the Assyrian Empire wines from Midyat and other settlements of Tur Abdin Plateau were known far outside this region. It is suggested by the clay tablets that were found during excavation of the ancient Mesopotamian cities. Local winegrowers bred their own original grape varieties like Boğazker and Rumi.

The spread of Islam in the Upper Mesopotamia seriously damaged winemaking due to ban on alcohol. But Middle East christians like Assyrians from Mardin and Midyat have kept the traditions of local winemaking alive up to now. So if you come to this cities you should try original local Assyrian wines which is hard to find even in other regions of Turkey.

Grape varieties from the region of Mardin

White grapes

Dökülgen
Kabarcık
Rumi

Red grapes

Horoz Karası
Öküzgözü (originated from Elazığ province)
Boğazkere (originated from Diyarbakır Province)
Sergi Karası

Taste

Wine from the local grape varieties from the Upper Mesopotamia has its unique features that aficionados of this drink should appreciate. For example red wine made from Boğazkere has characteristics like dark red color with small dark blue hue, strong and rich aromas of spices and dried fruits, strong body and very enjoyable long finish.

Price

Alcohol in Turkey is not very cheap comparing with the most of European countries. The price for one bottle 750 ml starts from 30 tl (about 6 euro). The cost of home and factory made wine is about the same. VAT 18% is usually included in the price.