Considered as the “cradle of wine” like its Georgian neighbour, viticulture in Armenia is millenary. The oldest amphorae in the world were found there, filled with grape seeds in the cellars of Areni ; a discovery that made it possible to date the first vinifications to 4000 years BC. J.C.
Historically, Armenia would also be the land where Noah planted the vines.
70 years under the Soviet regime weakened the Armenian vineyard and production, reducing them by half.
However, with the beginning of the 2000s began a true renewal in the wine industry, with the modernisation of Armenian infrastructures, and the creation of new companies and foreign investments.
Today, around fifty wine producers, of very different sizes and productions, share the 16,000 hectares of vineyards under an ideal continental climate.
The country is mainly composed of plateaus and very high mountain ranges. Nearly 90% of the territory is situated at an altitude of over a thousand meters.
The Armenian landscape is also characterised by its lakes, in particular Lake Sevan, perched at an altitude of 1,898.88 meters above sea level (6230 ft).
The famous Ararat Valley – between Mount Aragats and Mount Ararat – stretches majestically at an altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level (3609 feet).
One of Armenia’s great strengths is the preservation of its great diversity of indigenous grape varieties. There are more than 300 grape varieties. About 40 of them are only cultivated there, the most emblematic of which are Areni Noir, Karmrahyut and Sireni for red wines.
For white wines, the most famous ones are Voskehat and Kangun.
But of course, many international grape varieties are also planted here.
