Wines of Armenia
Home to the oldest discovered winery, and to some of the highest vineyards in the northern hemisphere.
History and overview
Known as one of the oldest civilizations on earth (more than 3,500 years of history), and home to the oldest discovered winery, Armenia is a country, culture, and people that have long shown resilience and persistence in the face of conflict, war, and aggression. Situated between Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Iran, Armenia has had to navigate the rule of various states and, through that, has retained a strong sense of national pride and rugged individualism.
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1914–1918
World War I. Ottoman Turks feared Christian Armenians were conspiring with Russian forces. This fear was used to deport Armenians to Syria. Whole populations were displaced, killed, or sent on death marches. The estimated death toll is between 600,000 and 1.5 million.
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1918
Armenia declares independence, the first independent Armenian state since the Middle Ages. Armenia's independence is recognized by the Allied nations after WWI.
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1920
Turkey breaks the peace with Armenia and invades.
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1922
Armenia joins the USSR, beginning 70 years of Soviet rule in the country.
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1991
Armenia declares independence from the USSR and elects its first president.
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1990s
Continued conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory. Thousands of Armenians are killed and hundreds of thousands displaced.
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2013
The President of Armenia announces alignment with the Russian-led Eurasian Customs Union.
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2020
War breaks out again between Armenia and Azerbaijan over disputed territory. Armenia cedes land, and populations are again displaced, an issue made worse by COVID-19.
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2020–2021
Protests erupt across the country demanding the government's resignation.
Geography and climate
Armenia is a mountainous country with no lowlands, and most of its vineyards are planted at very high elevation. The country has laid claim to the highest vineyards in the northern hemisphere (1,750 m above sea level). The wine-growing regions are defined by mountains, deep river valleys, and volcanic plateaus, which create a multitude of microclimates and unique soil types.
Armenia has a dry, continental climate. Summers are long, warm, and very sunny thanks to the high elevation. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains create a rain shadow and break up weather systems before they reach inland. Because of this, rainfall differs greatly between the mountain ranges (upwards of 800 mm a year) and the lower valleys inland (400 mm a year or less).
Grapes to know
Areni
Mid-budding and late-ripening, with thick-skinned berries, moderate disease resistance and strong frost resistance. Previously used in brandy production, its best wines today are medium- to full-bodied, age-worthy reds.
Khndoghni
A thick-skinned red variety that expresses dark fruit, floral notes, and spice. Extremely oak-friendly and age-worthy. This grape is mainly found in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Voskehat
A well-known, productive, ancient white variety traditionally used for sweet fortified wines and raisins. It has very low resistance to fungal disease, including both powdery and downy mildew as well as botrytis. It is now used successfully in sparkling wine production.