Armenia's Ambition: ancient, conflicted, hopeful

Armenia is not the first country to spring to mind in terms of wine.

But this is one of the most ancient winemaking cultures in the world. The broader Caucusus region - including Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, is where the winemaking vine is believed to have first been domesticated.

By way of proof, a 6,000-year-old winery was unearthed in the Areni-1 cave complex in the Vayots-Dzor region of Armenia. And the country may have anything up to 1,000 different species of vitis vinifera winemaking vines - testament to its longevity in wine terms (the vine tends to mutate naturally over time).

And yet...what do we know of Armenian wine?

Relatively little, if you're anything like us.

And that has to do with geopolitics as much as anything else - from the Armenian genocide to the Soviet occupation, the 20th century was hard on Armenia and its people. Its historic winemaking culture suffered, and it was shut off from the world.

Now, however, a new generation of Armenians are daring to revitalise this somnolent wine history. We talk to two of them - Aimee Keushguerian of Keush, WineWorks and Zulal. Also Juliana del Aguila Eurnekian of Karas.

They're brave because the region remains imperilled. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan has seen vineyards and farmers caught between warring factions. This is life or death stuff.

But, from the little we've dipped our toes in these particular waters, it's clear to us that there is huge potential in Armenian wine. In wine terms, Armenia is most certainly one to watch.

We hope you enjoy the programme! Do let us know your thoughts on Instagram or Twitter.

As ever, all wine details, links, photos and more are on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S3 E22: Armenia's Ambition.

Cheers!

Wines featured in this episode

• Keush Ultra Brut Nature 2017 Blanc de Noirs, 12.5%
• Zulal Voskehat Reserve 2018, Vayots Dzor, 13%
• Zulal Karmir Kot 2018 Reserve, Vayots Dzor, 15%
• Karas Family Wine Estates White Blend 2020, Ararat Valley, 13.5%
• Karas Orange Wine ‘Kraki Ktor’ 2020, Ararat Valley, 12.5%
• Karas Areni 2019, Ararat Valley, 13.5%
• Karas Single Vineyard Areni 2020, Ararat Valley, 13.5%