Merzifon Karasi

Merzifon Karasi is a red grape variety native to the Merzifon district in northern Turkey.

The Merzifon Karasi grape is deep purple in colour and produces wines with intense aromas of blackberry, plum and dried fruits. The wine is quite complex and with firm tannins.

Merzifon Karasi is predominantly grown in the province of Amasya in the centre of the Black Sea region of Turkey. Merzifon Karasi is a mid to late ripening grape variety that has good resistance to diseases. Merzifon Karasi wines are best enjoyed with rich, savoury dishes such as red meat, game and mature cheese.

Recently Italian–Turkish collaboration suggested that Merzifon Karası was identical to the Italian variety Marzemino, but DNA profiling has shown that they are unrelated.