Elazığ tahannebi grape, a local variety of Vitis vinifera L., is grown exclusively within the boundaries of Elazığ province, Türkiye. It was registered as a mahreç indication on November 3, 2023, by the Elazığ Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and the Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry, protected under Industrial Property Law No. 6769.
Definition and Distinctive Features
Locally known as “ternebi,” the Elazığ tahannebi grape is an early-ripening table grape also valued for its high sugar content, making it ideal for traditional products like pestil (fruit leather) and orcik (walnut-stuffed grape molasses roll). The grapes are yellow-light green, elongated cylindrical in shape, and weigh 5–6 grams on average. Clusters are 25–30 cm long, moderately dense, and small in structure.
Ampelographically, the shoot tips are densely prostrate and hairy, nodes are green, and young leaves are sparsely hairy with green veins. Mature leaves are pentagonal, with convex teeth and a U-shaped petiolar sinus. The grape shape is ovate, with a green-yellow skin. Juice yield is low (54%), and each grape contains 1–2 seeds.
Chemical Properties
- Dry Matter Content: 17.16–20.29%
- Ash Content: 0.70–1.17%
- HCl-Insoluble Fraction: 0.10–0.12%
- Total Acidity (as tartaric acid): 0.03075–0.03%
- Brix Value (sugar content): 16–16.5
- pH Value: 4.15–4.32
Phenological Stages
- Bud Break: April 20–30
- Full Bloom: June 6–15
- Berry Drop: July 10–20
- Maturity: August 7–15
Growing Conditions
Elazığ tahannebi grape thrives in the microclimate influenced by the Keban Dam. It requires 1,600 hours of sunlight and an average temperature of 10°C for optimal growth. The soil is sandy, loamy, clayey, and slightly stony. Critical rainfall occurs in June before berry drop and in autumn after harvest. The vines’ highest water demand is in May.
Production Method
The grape is propagated using cuttings from one-year-old healthy shoots, rooted in high-sand-content beds. In Elazığ, traditional viticulture methods are used, with planting in furrows or pits during autumn. No rootstock is required.
Pruning is performed in winter and summer based on the vine’s growth stage. Soil preparation begins with deep plowing in autumn, followed by surface leveling and aeration in spring and summer. Irrigation is generally not applied but drip or furrow irrigation is used in vineyards where needed. Fertilization involves farm manure and mineral applications based on soil analysis.
Harvest and Storage
Harvest occurs gradually from mid-July to late August, depending on ripeness. Clusters are cut at the stem, and defective ones are sorted out. Under optimal conditions (0°C, 90–95% relative humidity), the grapes can be stored for up to 5 months.
Geographical Boundary and Inspection
All production stages must occur within Elazığ province. Inspections are conducted at least annually by a four-member expert team coordinated by the Elazığ Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, verifying varietal compliance, ampelographic and chemical properties, and proper use of the indication logo.
