Armenia, is one of the world’s oldest winemaking regions. The current archaeological evidence points to Armenia as host to the oldest wine made from domesticated vines. The ancient vineyards of the Ararat Valley and Vayots Dzor were neglected when Armenia was an SSR favoured for brandy production.
Recent investments from European companies have spurred a renaissance of sorts, with many modern wineries making wines heavily influenced by fashionable techniques from France and Italy. Despite the influence of foreign investment, there is a wealth of native viticultural heritage. Indigenous grapes like Areni thrive in the volcanic soils of Ararat, producing elegant, robust reds. Armenia is well positioned to produce increasingly complex and competitive wines in the coming decades.