Armenian cognacs are back

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Ancient legends say that Armenia is the birthplace of winemaking. According to one of them, after the global flood, Noah settled at the foot of Ararat, on the slopes of which he planted grapes, grew them and subsequently received juice from it. The legend remains a beautiful legend, and the cultivation of this crop in Armenia dates back three and a half millennia.

The history of the creation of Armenian cognacs is much shorter, but no less interesting. The opening of the first plant for the production of this noble drink is associated with the name of the local merchant Narses Tairyan. It was he who first decided to manufacture it in Armenia using French technology and called it “Fin Champagne”. In 1889, Tairyan sold the plant to the Shustovs, Russian industrialists. And already they have widely developed production. By 1914, 15 such factories had been built in the country. "Shustovsky" drink became popular not only in Russia, it could also be bought abroad. Armenian cognacs have repeatedly won prizes at various exhibitions.

Becoming

After all the revolutionary upheavals and the establishment ofTranscaucasia of the Soviet power brandy production continued. Only the state was now the owner of the factories. Armenian cognacs became even more popular, they were exported to many countries of the world. The quality of the drink was top notch. This is evidenced by the fact that Winston Churchill was a great admirer of Armenian cognac, and he already knew how to understand elite alcoholic beverages.

French rescuers

In the first years of independence, despite the difficulties, brandy production was not stopped in Armenia. And in 1998, the Pernod-Ricard company from France bought the Yerevan Brandy Factory, which, in fact, saved it. It is symbolic that help came from French winemakers - the founders of this drink. By the way, in their opinion, Armenian cognacs should not be called that. This proud name can only be worn by a product made in the province of Cognac.

However, brandy from Armenia still retains its already traditional name. Almost 80% of cognac products are supplied to Russia, where Armenian cognacs are highly valued. Realizing this, the owners of the plants do not insist too much on renaming - making a profit is still more important.

What are they made of

Six varieties of grapes are used for its production. Five of them grow in Armenian lands:

• Garan;
• Mskhali;
• Dmak;
• Kangoon;
• Voskehat.

Another variety is imported from Georgia - Rkatsiteli. To avoidcounterfeits, standards have been adopted, according to which only a drink made from grapes grown on the territory of Armenia and bottled here can be considered Armenian cognac.

Cognac brands

All Armenian cognac products are divided into three groups, depending on the length of exposure. The first includes ordinary drinks, the aging period of which is at least three years. The second group consists of vintage cognacs. Their minimum age is six years, they must be aged only in oak barrels. The most popular today is the Armenian cognac "Ararat", produced in Yerevan. The third group is collectible. The youngest of them are nine years old.