The white grape variety probably originates from Azerbaijan. Synonyms are Ag Chirai, Ag Shirei, Ag Üzüum, Bahian Chirei, Bajac Shirei, Banants, Bayanshire, Bayan Shirei, Bayan Shirey, Shirei and Spitak Khagog. It probably originated in the vicinity of the namesake community of Bayan in Azerbaijan's Dashkasan region. According to a second version, the origin is in Armenia. The late-maturing, high-yielding vine is susceptible to fungal diseases and frost-sensitive, but resistant to drought. It yields white wines with moderate alcohol content. The variety is also used as table grape, for the production of grape juice and partly also for the distillation of wine spirits. In 2016, 645 hectares of vineyards were designated in Kazakhstan (Kym Anderson). The variety is also reportedly grown in smaller quantities in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Pictures: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
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