National Wine Festival in Armenia

Since time immemorial, Armenian wine has been known all over the world.

History, which has come down to us through the millennia, testifies that since time immemorial Armenian wine has been known all over the world. Armenian grape varieties, depending on climatic conditions, have a high percentage of sugar, therefore, have a high alcohol content, which contributes to the production of stronger and semi-dessert wines. And in this regard, these wines have no analogues. These are only natural and climatic conditions of our country, thanks to which grapes here are distinguished by unique qualities. Nature has created all the conditions for wine. The world collection includes light wines, muscats, Madeiras, port wines, etc.

Repeatedly, Armenian wines gave a head start to the “historical fathers” of wines. Thus, Armenian sherry won at the exhibition and sale in Spain, and port wine in Portugal. Since ancient times, Armenia has been famous for its winemakers, whose original traditions have been preserved to this day. This can be learned even from the works of philosophers such as Herodotus and Strabo. In 401-400 BC, when the Greek troops led by Xenophon “walked” through the country of Nairi (one of the oldest names of Armenia), they were treated to wine and beer in Armenian houses, which was stored in deep dugouts in special karas. It is interesting that in carasses with beer were inserted reeds, which served for our ancestors as salt shakers.

The excavations carried out by Academician Pyatrovsky in the 19-20 centuries confirmed the fact that in the ninth century BC Armenia was a developed wine-producing state. Archaeologists have discovered in the fortress of Teishebaini wine storage with 480 caraces, which contained about 37 thousand decaliters of wine. During the excavations in Karmir Blur (one of the oldest settlements of Armenia, where the first signs of life were discovered several thousand years ago) and Erebuni (a fortress city on the territory of present-day Yerevan, built 2800 years ago and became the capital of Armenia after 2700 years), 10 wine vaults were found, in which there were 200 karas. Even the ancestors of Armenians - residents of one of the oldest states in the world - Urarta, were engaged in viticulture. The chronicles have preserved evidence that in this one of the oldest states in the world, special attention was paid to the development of viticulture and fruit growing. Historical information often mentions the technology of making wine and beer.

Due to the fact that most of the grapes are used for the production of the legendary Armenian cognac, Armenian wine is only supplied in small quantities abroad. Therefore, it is not so well known to the “non-Armenian” consumer.

The national wine festival, which is held every year in the village of Areni Vayots-Dzor marz, has already become a traditional festive event.