Azerbaijani wine is a great addition to any holiday. Types, description and reviews

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

Real gourmets really understand wine and can recommend a specific drink for every meal. The presence of alcohol on the table does not at all indicate the painful addictions of the owner of the house, but focuses on his taste. Good alcohol is not drunk in one gulp. They are enjoyed - both in taste and aroma. Azerbaijani wine is democratically priced and very interesting in taste. Gourmets will appreciate and be able to afford such wine at least every day if they wish.

Truth in wine

Azerbaijani wine is an exquisite and time-tested drink. The holidays of Russians are not complete without it. Only the type of wine changes, its taste and strength. A quality drink pleases with a variety of taste sensations. At the same time, the taste reflects many factors, from the recipe and production method to the quality of the grapes and the aging time. Azerbaijani wines are grown from the fruits of vineyards, with a total area of 65.5 thousand hectares. And there are as many as 32 alcohol production plants in the country. Of these, 20 have their own vineyards. The quality and taste of fruits are influenced by the climatic conditions of the country, in which 10 natural and economic zones can be distinguished. The relief of the country is complex and in each area the grapes are differently saturated with sun and moisture.

Art in the country

Viticulture is the oldest branch of agriculture in the country. This can be seen from the numerous finds of archaeologists and mentions of the authors of antiquity. True, they note that some of the varieties of Azerbaijani grapes are the result of natural selection of wild grapes. There is also a monument to winemaking in the country. This is a kyup jug that was found with grape seeds inside and deposits of tartar on the walls.

For some time the wine-making tradition was interrupted due to the adoption of Islam and the ban on the consumption of wine. At this time, the grapes were eaten fresh or put into molasses and dried. In modern times, viticulture was revived along with the activities of the German colonists.

The founders of traditions

Azerbaijani wine owes its appearance to the Forer brothers and the Hummel brothers, who laid the first vineyards back in 1860. By the way, it was the Forers who opened the first cognac factory in Azerbaijan, back in 1892. Wines and cognacs of those years received awards at international exhibitions and 39 goldmedals.

In the 19th century, viticulture developed thanks to foreign investment. The product range began to include more than 80 items, including 20 brands of dry wines. Azerbaijani wine has gone through bad times in the era of the campaign against drunkenness and alcoholism. Then more than half of the vineyards were destroyed. Lost Azerbaijan could restore only after gaining independence. Today, part of the country's oil revenues is directed to the development of the industry in the country. There is an expansion of plantings of grapes and new processing enterprises are being built. Viticulture is again a priority in the country and enjoys the well-deserved love of residents of different countries. Azerbaijan is famous for the traditions of the industry, the individuality of the products produced, as well as the delicate aroma and velvety taste of wine.

With the right amount of strength

For the Soviet Union, Azerbaijani fortified wine replaced a whole kaleidoscope of alcoholic beverages. Then it was relatively cheap and was poured into a capacious container, which was called "bombs" in the common people. A little more expensive was dry and semi-dry wine produced at the Ganja Sharab-2 factory. And, of course, we should not forget about the church wine "Shemakha" with a very interesting taste. The glory of fortified wines was not entirely good, since in order to reduce the cost of the finished product, cognac alcohol in the recipe was replaced with ordinary grain. And now the people remember the port wine "Akstafa" - one of the best varieties of strong white vintage wine. It has been in production since 1936.year and was awarded four gold and five silver medals.

This flavor is "Mattresses"

For a good friendly gathering even now the actual choice would be the Azerbaijani wine "Matrasa" with a characteristic taste of dried berries, bright tannins and a long viscous aftertaste. This is a red wine produced on the basis of the grape variety of the same name. Fermentation goes on the pulp with extraction. The finished drink acquires a ruby-red color and has a rich taste of blackcurrant and wildflowers. The taste of the Shiraz grape variety is also observed. The taste is tart, but very harmonious. It makes you think and dive into the bouquet of wine.

How people drink wine in the country

There are figures obtained from the report of the World He alth Organization and confirming the fact that among Caucasians it is the Azerbaijanis who drink the least. The conclusion is based on facts: an adult consumes approximately 2-3 liters of alcohol per year. For comparison, we can cite indicators for Belarus. Here, this figure is equal to 17 liters of alcohol. For centuries, the tradition of drinking wine has been developing in Azerbaijan. Moderation has always been the main tradition in the country, since Azerbaijanis are not subject to such a vice as drunkenness. At the same time, they do not deny themselves and drink any alcohol, but in a very civilized and accurate manner. Azerbaijani wines are conducive to reasoning, communication and festive mood. Reviews about them are mostly positive because of the pleasant and memorable taste, rich bouquet and delicate aroma of wines. Girls prefer more original composition options, while men confidently choose fortified wines. Historians consider Azerbaijan to be a kind of capital of winemaking and the birthplace of an exclusive product. The small batch size is explained by the number of grape vines. Counterfeiting of such wines is almost impossible.

Homemade drink

Women almost unanimously approve of the products of the Home Wine brand with a bewitching aroma and a harmonious flavor bouquet. In the line of flavors, one can single out red semi-sweet wine using Saperavi and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties.

Azerbaijani fortified white wine from Rkatsiteli and Bayan Shire grape varieties, which grow in the foothills of the Goygol region, is ideal for a date. Connoisseurs of delicate aroma will certainly approve of the red dry "homemade" wine from Madras and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties.

An instance with a unique taste

Azerbaijani wine "Chinar" can be called truly special. The grape variety for its production is also called "Matrasa", but it is grown in the Goygol region. The product has a dark red color and pure taste. It harmonizes well with dessert dishes and sets off the romantic atmosphere of a date. Among gourmets, this product enjoys justified love and respect. This allowed the drink to "register" with confidence in the wine lists of hotels and restaurants around the world.

Today

With the passage of timethe Azerbaijani wine industry has lost the palm to competitors from other countries. This is due to the fact that products in Azerbaijan are characterized by affordable prices, simple composition and small batches of production. Now half of the products of all companies in the country are exported. It should be noted the vineyard "Sherg-Ulduzu", founded in 2002. This is the leading project of the country, the vineyards of which are located in the Shamkir region. Their area occupies 110 hectares, but there are plans to bring it up to 200 hectares. The company is distinguished by the fact that well-known grape varieties are adapted to local conditions. In particular, the number of sunny days, as well as the nature and direction of the wind, are taken into account. Especially the last factor is important during the planting of grape seedlings. Vineyards need trees to protect them from the wind, and regular soil testing is essential to prevent pests.

Azerbaijani pomegranate wine is a real crowning creation of winemaking in the country. Here they compose poems and sing songs about this fruit with a tart aroma and spicy taste. The aftertaste is juicy berry and pomegranate with light chocolate notes. As a result, the strength of pomegranate wine reaches 13-16%, and the product itself is sweet, but not cloying. It is recommended to eat it with fruit or sweet dishes. Many note that pomegranate wine has a higher density than grape wine. With moderate use, pomegranate wine will be an excellent cancer prevention. Special production technologies allow preserving the beneficial properties of the product, which makes the final drinkdietary and even medicinal.

Azerbaijan has small private wineries that produce delicious pomegranate wine. The manufacturing technology practically does not differ from that by which grape analogues are made. Pomegranate wine calms, tones and energizes. It is necessary to extract juice from raw materials, which is best done through automation. Pomegranate loves sugar and therefore it will need exactly the same amount as fruits. Pomegranate wine must be aged for at least a month, and under ideal conditions, the period can be longer. The aroma of wine should not be catchy, but it is bright and rich. No impurities and fusel oils should be felt. The wine has a light tile shade. The taste of the product may resemble thick pomegranate juice. An original combination would be a glass of pomegranate wine and the fruit itself for a snack. It's the perfect fruity combination!