An old landscape of vineyards
Viticulture around Erciş can be traced through Urartian inscriptions. The district’s account of the Karataşlar inscription refers to vineyards established under Sarduri II. Growing grapes has a long history in the same landscape that produces the fruit today.
A distinctive fruit and a registered name
The Turkish Patent registration describes a local grape with dark berries, commonly eaten fresh. Erciş Üzümü was registered as a designation of origin on 20 November 2020, with the district of Erciş as its geographical area.
The registration also records the use of grape juice and vine leaves preserved in brine. The vineyard therefore contributes more to the kitchen than the fruit itself. These details help explain why the grape belongs in a story about local food as well as farming.
Questions to ask when buying
The registration notes that the thin skins limit the fruit’s keeping quality after harvest. If taking grapes on a journey, ask when they were picked and choose packaging that will not crush the bunches.
Read the product name Erciş Üzümü together with its origin. Asking where the vineyard is offers a more useful introduction than trying to identify provenance from the colour of the grapes alone.
The autumn harvest
Autumn is the season to get to know Erciş grapes at harvest time. Ripening and picking vary between vineyards and from year to year. If you would like to visit a vineyard, arranging it with the grower beforehand is a good way to learn about the fruit where it grows.