Armenian Wine History
ARMENIAN WINE HISTORY
Armenia: The Birthplace Of Wine
According to the Bible, Noah planted a vine at the foot of Mount Ararat after the Flood.
Needless to say, Armenians proudly claim that this was the nation’s first vineyard.
While you may or may not take the Bible as a historical document, there is sound evidence that Armenia truly is one of the most ancient winemaking civilisations in the world.
Wild vines appeared on this land over a million years ago. Later on, sea-fairing civilisations including the Phoenicians and Greeks spread the vines throughout much of Europe. Eventually, the plants adjusted to new soils and climates. As a result, they evolved into the grape varieties which we know today.
Fascinatingly, just as all humans are related, all modern grapes share the same distant ancestors. Furthermore, many of these ancestors are very likely to have come from the territory of modern Armenia and, broader speaking, the whole region of Caucasus.
Areni-1 Cave: World’s Most Ancient Winery
Moreover, about a decade ago, archaeologists made a break-through discovery in the south of Armenia, next to Areni village. In a huge cave they found the world’s most ancient winery. Amazingly, the cave contained a wine press, parts of clay vessels used for winemaking and even the world’ oldest leather shoe. All of these finds date back to 4,100 BC.
Naturally, the scientists examined the traces of wine which they found in the clay jars. It turned out that the wine was made of a local grape, Areni Noir. This grape is still widely grown today, making some the country’s best reds. It also happens to be the most acclaimed Armenian wine in the UK.
Armenian Wine In The Ancient World
Wine was an important part of Armenian culture as early as several millennia ago. In fact, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, what is now modern Armenia widely exported its wines. Wine export was a common thing here as early as in the 5th Century BC.
According to Herodotus, merchants transported the wine in leather-covered rafts. These sailed down the river Tigris to the kingdoms of Mesopotamia. Other nations highly valued Armenian wine. Indeed, a famous mural found on the walls of Persepolis shows Armenians bringing a gift of wine and horses to the legendary Persian king, Darius the Great.
In 301 AD Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as the official religion. Thus, wine became an important part of religious traditions. Interestingly, religious beliefs still influence the country’s grape growing and winemaking. For example, no one harvests or eats grapes until the special Ceremony of Grape Blessing. This colourful ceremony usually happens in mid August, on the day of the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. The Grape Blessing takes place right after the Divine Liturgy.
Armenian Wine In The 20th Century
Unfortunately, throughout the 20th century Armenian winemaking suffered from a long period of decline. During the Soviet times the government nationalised private wineries, Brandy (a.k.a Armenian cognac) became the state’s priority. At last, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, came the revival. In the last 10-15 years, many Armenians living abroad repatriated to their homeland and started heavily investing into vineyards and winemaking technologies.