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Dzevat-Kara (translated as "Black Colonel") is another exceptional local Crimean red grape variety. Characterized by a thicker skin, this grape provides the wine with a massive tannic structure, a deep ruby color, and aromas of dark forest berries, resin, and spices. It is a powerful, complex drink for those seeking unusual discoveries from the Caucasus and Black Sea regions.
Read moreLike its more famous "brother" Ekim-Kara, this variety mostly reveals itself in historic fortified (liqueur) wines.
Finding a 100% dry Dzevat-Kara wine is extremely difficult because, naturally, this variety is too tannic and hard-structured. Most often, it plays an essential, structure-supporting role in the famous regional blends (e.g., the luxurious Chorny Polkovnik – Black Colonel – fortified wine). In this ensemble, Dzevat-Kara adds spicy sharpness, a deep tannic backbone, and maintains an excellent balance between sweetness and astringency.
If you manage to find a dry version of this variety, it will pair perfectly with open-fire roasted, fatty lamb or beef steaks. However, the much more common fortified (sweet) variant of Dzevat-Kara is a wonderful cigar companion. It pairs excellently with intense hard cheese, meat pâtés, and chocolate truffles.
Both are unique, dark Crimean varieties, but they play different roles. Ekim-Kara (Black Doctor) provides the wine with viscous fruitiness, natural sweetness, and aromas of chocolate and dried plums. Meanwhile, Dzevat-Kara (Black Colonel) is responsible for strictness—it provides firm, long-lived tannins, higher acidity, and savory spice (pepper, clove) tones.
Dzevat-Kara is highly sensitive to the microclimate and specific soil. Although there have been attempts to move it to other warm regions, the berries quickly lost their unique phenolic structure and depth of aromas. Therefore, this variety has remained a true geographical exclusive, tied to its historic homeland.
