While Armenia may be a young wine region, the country has some of the oldest winemaking traditions.
Discoveries at Areni’s cave in southwestern Armenia suggest that the country’s wine industry is likely to be more than 6,000 years old. Excavations at Karmir Blur, also known as Red Hill, in the capital of Yerevan, reveal charred grape seeds and wine storage vessels called pithoi-karases dating back to the seventh century BC. Today, the Erebuni Historical and Archaeological Museum continues to excavate and shed light on Armenia’s winemaking past.
But the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and the formation of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1922 disrupted the long winemaking culture of the harvest. During the 70 years of Soviet rule, 95% of the grapes grown in Armenia were used for fortified wines and brandy, according to viticulture and winemaking in Armenia through Avag Harutyunyan.
When the Soviet Union collapsed and Armenia gained independence in 1991, many of the country’s winemakers began to search for their roots and took steps to restore the country’s wine industry. Here is a review of 3 wineries that pioneered a new history of Armenian winemaking. , whether at home or abroad.
According to the family, Maran Winery began in 1828 with the repatriation of the founders, Sargis and Maran Harutyunyan, to Armenia from Persia, where their ancestors were forcibly displaced by order of King Shah Abbas in the seventeenth century.
They planted a winery in Artabuynq, a village tucked away in the mountains of Vayots Dzor province in southern Armenia. Later, in 1860, his son Harutyun created the country’s first semi-industrial wine press and converted what his parents had into a complete cellar. , naming him Maran after his mother.
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But in the 1920s, as a component of the collectivization of the USSR, Maran became part of the state. The circle of relatives has stopped all operations.
Several decades later, Avag Harutunian, an heir to the Maran family, to repair his family’s legacy. And in 1992, he produced the first wine from the repaired Maran Winery: Noravank, using the Areni grape variety indigenous to Armenia. Four years later, Maran Winery partnered with French-Armenian investors and exported a small amount of Noravank to France and other countries.
“Maran was the first to announce the importance of indigenous types as a cornerstone of long-term terroir-based viticulture in Armenia,” says Frunz Harutunian, who oversees winemaking operations.
Avag Harutunian continues to find new tactics to highlight Armenia’s indigenous grapes. For example, their Malahi wines, named after an ancient call for the indigenous grape variety Areni, blend some of Armenia’s grapes with more common types like Malbec and Aligoté. And in 2021, Harutunian’s circle of relatives was able to unload component from their ancestor’s original cellar in Artabuynq. They plan to harvest the grapes in the coming years.
The vineyard is also long-term and is experimenting with developing grapes between 6,725 and 6,791 feet above sea level to explore expansion opportunities in an industry suffering from climate change. They say they will not use herbicides, insecticides and artificial fertilizers in an effort to move toward green, biodynamic agriculture.
Smbat Matevosyan began developing grapes in the Ararat Valley after migrating from Boston to Armenia after World War I.
But in the 1920s, after the Russian Revolution and Bolshevik rule, Matevosyan was arrested. He was an active member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and when the Soviet government searched his house, they discovered a photo of him wearing an ARF pin on his chest. . He took and killed.
But decades later, his heirs found documents among his possessions showing where he had bought the land all those years ago. Mkrtchyan’s circle of relatives, replaced by the original Matevosyan, to avoid further persecution, visited the village in 2009 and discovered Smbat’s original 54-acre vineyard. The circle of relatives was able to buy land and identify a winery. The name, Voskeni, is a blend of Armenia’s indigenous grape varieties: Voskehat and Areni.
Today, Voskeni Wines produces 150,000 bottles per year, with 8 of wines exported to the Baltic countries, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, the United States and Russia.
“When we started developing vineyards here, 95% of the valley was faithful to the development of grapes for brandy production,” says Ararat Mkrtchyan, co-founder of Voskeni Wines. “Now all the surrounding villages are actively turning to winemaking instead of distillation. In addition, Voskeni is a local educational center where other talented young people are brought into winemaking.
Each year, fellows over the age of 16 from neighbouring villages can start running in the vineyard and receive information on how the vineyard works. At the end of the program, one or two fellows get full-time employment.
Today Voskeni Wines can be recognized through the label, the last known symbol of Smbat.
About 7,000 miles from Armenia, winemaker Ardash Agajanian began his own wine heritage in California in 1914. After escaping the genocide, Ardash Agajanian hired paintings at Mission Bell Winery, an Armenian-owned farm in Madera, California.
Eight years later, he bought his own land and planted 40 acres of grapes for wine, raisins, fruits, and nuts. His grandson, Gary Agajanian, bought a plot of land and continued the family’s legacy by developing grapes to make wine at Agajanian Vineyards and Wine Company.
In his first vineyard, the young Agajanian planted a block of Zinfandel, which he named Moush Zinfandel, after the city of Armenia, and produced his first wine in 1998. The label included his father’s portrait of a sailboat, depicting the adventure of the circle of relatives. and difficulties. The bottle garnered 88 issues from Wine Enthusiast, convincing it to grow the family members’ business circle.
Today, Agajanian and his team are eager to contribute to the verbal exchange about Armenian wine and highlight the winemaking heritage of the culture. To this end, they are lately experimenting with the cultivation of indigenous Armenian varieties such as Tozot, Khndoghni, Haghtanak and Voskehat, among others. They plan to introduce wines made from those grapes to the U. S. market in the coming years.
“The wisdom passed down through my grandfather, through my father, is a legacy of honoring our author and our family,” says Agajanian. Regardless, he remembers 3 things he believes describe Armenian viticulture. innovation,” he says.
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Guado al Tasso 2019 Bolgheri Superiore
red mixtures
$140
Score: 96
Williams Selyem 2020 Pinot Noir (San Benito)
Pinot Noir
$39
Score: 96
Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret 2017 Grand Cru (Grands-Echezeaux)
Pinot Noir
$264
Score: 96
Force majeure 2019 Syrah of the (Red Mountain)
$85
Score: 95
Gérard Bertrand 2020 Côte des Roses Sauvignon Blanc (Pays de Oc)
Sauvignon White
$17
Score: 93
Quinta do Vale Meão 2019 Meandro do Vale Meão Tinto (Douro)
Portuguese Red
$24
Score: 92
Warre’s 1992 Otima Single Year Tawny (Porto)
Port mixing
$67
Score: 93
Rotary NV Rosé Mousseux (Trento)
Frothy
$16
Score: 92
LangeTwins 2019 Cent Vignoble Petite Sirah (Jahant)
Little Sira
$32
Score: 93
Recanati 2019 Carignan Reserve (Judean Hills)
Carignan
$49
Score: 93
King Estate 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Oregon)
Sauvignon White
$19
Score: 90
Louis Roederer 2014 Cristal Brut (Champagne)
Frothy
$350
Score: 97
Tenuta San Guido 2019 Sassicaia (Bolgheri Sassicaia)
red mixtures
$270
Score: 99
Fontanabianca 2019 Bordini (Barbaresco)
Nebbiolo
$70
Score: 96
Conti Costanti 2016 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino)
Sangiovese
$220
Score: 100
Brunello by Montalcino Biondi-Santi 2016
Sangiovese
$249
Score: 98
Daou 2019 Mayote Rouge (Adelaide District)
Red in Bordeaux
$125
Score: 97
Henschke 2016 Mount Edelstone Shiraz (Valley of Eden)
$225
Score: 96
Well Born Estate 2019 The XO Reserve Syrah (Santa Maria Valley)
$100
Score: 96
Bonterra 2020 The Butler, Butler Ranch Vineyard Red (Mendocino County)
Rhône-style red blend
$60
Score: 95
Masi 2016 Costasera (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico)
red mixtures
$60
Score: 95
Guado al Tasso 2019 Bolgheri Superiore
red mixtures
$140
Score: 96
ONX 2019 Noble Intrigue Well-Born Vineyard Syrah (Santa Maria Valley)
$70
Score: 94
Plaimont 2019 Crouzeilles Côte Abeilles (Madiran)
red mixtures
$90
Score: 93
CheckMate 2019 Silent Bishop Merlot (Okanagan Valley)
merlot
$80
Score: 93
Shannon Ridge 2017 Ovis Betsy’s Vineyard Petite Sirah (Upper Valley)
Little Sira
$60
Score: 92
Chardonnay by Domaine Talley 2020
Chardonnay
$38
Score: 93
Beckstone 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Heaven Hills Horse)
Cabernet Sauvignon
$20
Score: 93
Cline 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Rock Carved (Alexander Valley)
Cabernet Sauvignon
N/A
Score: 90
Già Bella 2020 Brut Rosé Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain)
Cabernet Sauvignon
$40
Score: 90
Daou 2021 Pessimistic Red (Paso Robles)
red mixtures
$30
Score: 93
Daou 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
Cabernet Sauvignon
$30
Score: 91
Masi 2013 Campolongo di Torbe (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico)
Italian Red
$190
Score: 97
Masi 2013 Mazzano (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico)
Italian Red
$190
Score: 95
Masi 2017 Costasera (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico)
Italian Red
$80
Score: 94
Masi 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
red mixtures
$100
Score: 93
Masi 2018 Brolo Campofiorin Gold (Valpolicella)
red mixtures
$40
Score: 92
Masi 2019 Campofiorin (Valpolicella)
Italian Red
$20
Score: 92
Zenato 2019 Alanera Red (Veronese Red)
red mixtures
$19
Score: 91
Zardetto NV Brut (Prosecco)
Frothy
$17
Score: 90
J. Lohr – 2020 Tinto Puro Paso (Paso Robles)
Red mixtures
$27
Score: 92
Solar de Alarcos 2018 Crianza (Rioja)
Tempranillo
$20
Score: 93
Rolland
Tempranillo
$18
Score: 95
Bonterra 2021 Pinot Noir (Mendocino County)
Pinot Noir
$20
Score: 90
Barba 2021 Vasari (Montepulciano Abruzzo)
Italian Red
$11
Score: 89
Topophilia 2021 NDA Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast)
Chardonnay
$45
Score: 94
Toad Hollow 2021 Pinot Noir (Monterey County)
Pinot Noir
$19
Score: 88
Protos 2018 Selection Finca El Grajo Viejo (Ribera del Duero)
Tempranillo
$99
Score: 95
Château Allemand 2020 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Red in Bordeaux
$30
Score: 92
Château Hyot 2020 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Red in Bordeaux
$30
Score: 92
Omen 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
Cabernet Sauvignon
$20
Score: 90
Perelada 2018 Brut Stars Sparkling Reserve (Cava)
Frothy
$15
Score: 90
Summerland 2020 Robert Rae Syrah Vineyard (Sta. Rita Hills)
$49
Score: 93
Summerland 2019 Clone Vineyard Theresa Noelle Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
Pinot Noir
$75
Score: 93
San Pedro 2021 Black Cat Merlot (Central Valley)
merlot
$5
Score: 86
Hermanos Hernáiz 2015 Finca La Selva Gran Reserva (Rioja)
Tempranillo
$25
Score: 93
Leone de Castris 2021 Cinq Roses Rosé (Salento)
Pinkish
$25
Score: 90
2020 LangeTwins Merrill Chardonnay Vineyard (Clarksburg)
Chardonnay
$24
Score: 91
Earthshine 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Pic de l’Atlas)
Cabernet Sauvignon
$140
Score: 94
Chávarri Family 2011 Izarbe Reserva (Rioja)
Tempranillo
$35
Score: 94
Larchago 2018 Finca Viura Bottle (Rioja)
White from Spain
$19
Score: 90
Rinaldi 2021 Moscato d’Asti
Muscat
$24
Score: 91
Torelló 2015 Brut Nature Traditional Sparkling (Penedès)
Frothy
$29
Score: 95
Koehler 2020 Sangiovese (Santa Ynez Valley)
Sangiovese
$40
Score: 92
Alvides 2019 Finca Las Juanillas Crianza (Ribera del Duero)
Tempranillo
$45
Score: 91
Albino Armani 2016 Cuslanus (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico)
Italian Red
$60
Score: 91
Albino Armani 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Italian Red
$50
Score: 90
Casas del Bosque 2021 Botanic Series Estate Pinot Noir Rosé in Bottle (Casablanca Valley)
Pink
$15
Score: 90
Jacquart 2012 Cuvée Alpha Brut (Champagne)
Frothy
$169
Score: 93
J. Lohr 2020 Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
Cabernet Sauvignon
$35
Score: 92
J. Lohr 2020 Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
Cabernet Sauvignon
$17
Score: 91
Merlot Los Osos J. Lohr 2020 (Paso Robles)
merlot
$15
Score: 91
Howard Park 2018 Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Australia)
Cabernet Sauvignon
$93
Score: 95
Mahoney 2019 Pinot Noir du Domaine (Rams)
Pinot Noir
$30
Score: 94
Bec Hardy 2020 Time flies when you laugh Cabernet Sauvignon (South Australia)
Cabernet Sauvignon
$25
Score: 90
Bec Hardy 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (Limestone Coast)
Cabernet Sauvignon
$20
Score: 90
Consulvinus 2021 Spyland Red (Portuguese Table Wine)
Portuguese Red
$25
Score: 90
Trinitas 2020 Sandy Lane Vineyard Old Vine Red (Contra Costa County)
red mixtures
$50
Score: 94
Blue Pyrenees 2018 Richardson Cabernet Sauvignon (Pyrenees)
Cabernet Sauvignon
$35
Score: 95
Gusbourne Estate 2018 Blanc de Noirs Traditional Pinot Noir Method (England)
Pinot Noir
$100
Score: 95
Canon NV Tsarine Cuvée Solium Premier Cru Brut (Champagne)
Frothy
$70
Score: 91
McIntyre Family Wines 2019 Winemaker Series: Don Van Staaveren McIntyre Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)
Pinot Noir
$56
Score: 94
McIntyre Family Wines 2019 Winemaker Series: Don Van Staaveren McIntyre Estate Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)
Chardonnay
$52
Score: 93
Truth 2019 Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard Tempranillo (Edna Valley)
Tempranillo
$36
Score: 94
Henners Vintage 2016 Sparkling (England)
Frothy
N/A
Score: 93
Château Tanesse 2019 Cadillac Bordeaux Coast
Red in Bordeaux
$25
Score: 92
Château de Marsan Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2019
Red in Bordeaux
$18
Score: 91
Château de Laville 2020 Cadillac Bordeaux Coast
Red in Bordeaux
$21
Score: 90
Château du Grand Bern 2019 Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux
Red in Bordeaux
$18
Score: 90
Quinta São Sebastião 2020 Forte do Cego Rouge (Lisbon)
Portuguese Red
$10
Score: 85
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