Wines of Armenia
In the picture H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, Ambassador of Armenia, H.E. Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan and Anahit Chalikian, Counsellor at the Armenian Embassy during the testing.
The Armenian Embassy in The Netherlands and the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia, in collaboration with Diplomat Magazine and Royal Beverages Group & Drink Rituals, organized a wine tasting at Crowne Plaza in The Hague. The event targeted especially wine experts, distributors and sommeliers.
In 2016 the government of Armenia recognised the production of high quality wine and brandy as a priority sector of their economy, and it started organising tasting of Wines of Armenia around the word. China, Germany, Belgium were recently touched by this international wine tour, with the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia participating in tasting competitions and international wine exhibitions not only for experts, but also for the public.
Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia also works in the field of wine education for local and international professionals, as well as for the population living in wine regions. Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia supports viticulture and wine projects around the country.
For instance, the Foundation created a new legal framework for the production of Wines of Armenia, and it initiated a marketing and tourism campaign promoting these Wines in the local and international market.
Since its creation in 2016, Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia has accomplished a great number of projects and missions abroad, bringing the attention of thousands of people to their unique wines, working constantly in improving the quality of wine production, raising the winemaking reputation and competitiveness of the country, contributing to develop Armenian wine culture, and promoting export of wine and the wine consumption culture in Armenia.
Lianna Abelyan, Head of International Projects, and Frunzik Harutyunyan, Deputy Director, Head of Viticulture and Winemaking Department, came together from Yerevan with fourteen of the best wine produced in their country; sparkling, whites, rosés and reds – all unique products to be introduced to the Dutch market.
Harutyunyan started his presentation with visual images and a film showing the wine zones and wine production, as well as the beginning of the Armenian tradition on wines. He explained the historic roots of the Wines of Armenia, passing by the more than 300 original varieties only found in their territory. As a producer and wine expert himself, his presentation was lively, authentic and rich in information and personal comments. He showed the particularity of each wine to the many experts, highlighting the original and unique flavours of the Armenians wines based on the grapes varieties only growing in Armenia. And that is exactly what makes the uniqueness of Armenian wine’s aroma and flavours.
From the sparkling Karas, a brut with some citrus and flowering flavours produced by the winery Tierras de Armenia, to the white Tushpa White by Tushpa Wine Cellar, a wine with creamy flavours produced in the legendary and biblical land of Ararat, where also the absolute fabulous Armenian brandy is produced, to the fruited taste of Takar Red Classic by the Armenia Wine company, or our favorite Kataro Dry Red, Khndoghni by Anush winery – the tasting experience was unique.
Well-known vinologists, sommeliers, wine bloggers and wine critics, wine connoisseurs and wine lovers took part in this wine tasting that officially lasted from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm – although people kept re-tasting and talking until late. It was certainly a good occasion to come together and discover new products and tastes.
This event was a good occasion for sommeliers and distributors to come together and discover new products and tastes. We received good reviews about the Wines of Armenian’s quality – surely another important step to the conquest of the Dutch wine market for Armenia. And it was certainly a successful evening.
