Armenian wine is an alcoholic beverage made from grapes grown in Armenia. The country's hot southern climate allows for the production of high-quality fortified, strong, and sweet wines, with some varieties having an alcohol content of up to 30%.
History
Winemaking in Armenia dates back thousands of years, with archaeological evidence of the world's oldest winery found in the Areni cave. According to biblical legend, Noah planted a vineyard upon descending Mount Ararat. The technique of cultivating vineyards and winemaking, developed during the Urartu period, has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Modern Armenian winemaking began in 1887 when Nerses Ta established the first enterprise in Armenia for producing wines and brandies.
How it is made
Traditional Armenian winemaking involved harvesting grapes in September and crushing them in special vats with feet. The extracted juice would flow through openings into large clay vessels buried in the ground. The wine was then transferred to other vessels in spring and stored similarly. Grape pomace remaining after pressing was used to produce vodka. In the 1930s, Armenian scientists discovered that film-forming ye similar to Spanish sherry yeasts could form in hermetically sealed containers, leading to the production of Armenian wines similar to sherry.
Types and styles
Armenian wine production includes various types: fortified, strong, sweet, and table wines with high alcohol content. The country produces wines similar to sherry, with 'Ashtrak' being the first such wine produced by the Ashtrak Wine Factory. White grape varieties include Chardonnay, Voskeat, Garandmak, Chilar, Kangun, Banants, Nazeli, Kharchi, and Muscat Erevan. Red varieties include Arani Black, Nerkeni, Tigrani, Saperavi, and Kakheti. In the late 19th century, the Erevan province alone had 40 grape varieties suitable for winemaking.
How it is served
Armenian wines are served in various ways depending on their type. The country produces excellent golden wines comparable to Madeira or Sherry, with the most famous varieties being Erivan and Echmiadzin. Some Armenian wines, particularly the fortified varieties, are often served as aperitifs or with meals. The Ashtrak white wine of sherry type has received 3 gold and 7 silver medals at international competitions, while the white wine 'Voskevaz' won one silver and one bronze medal.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Виноделие в Армении, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.