Armenia is an old wine country but new to most consumers. It is a treasure-trove for those who want to discover unusual grape varieties. They make some excellent wines. We have previously tasted and written about Armenian red wines from the grape areni noir. Here is the article where you can read about the Armenian wines we tasted then and at the same time you get an introduction to the wines of Armenia.
We have recently tasted more Armenian wines and have gotten to know more local grape varieties.
Trinity Canyon Vineyards
Trinity 6100 Estate Bottled Dry Rosé, Trinity Canyon Vineyards, Armenia
The grapes are 50% areni noir, one of the most cultivated in the country, 35% syrah and 15% cabernet sauvignon. A refreshing rosé, totally dry, with a taste of strawberries but also fresh Provencal herbs. The grapes come from the Vayots Dzor region, which is located in the southern part of the country, on the border with Iran and Azerbaijan. The name 6100 is a reference to that nearby archaeologists have found one of the world’s oldest wine production sites dating back 6100 years. (~12 euro)
Trinity was founded by Hovakim Sagatelyan and two partners, hence the name Trintiy. He is a well-known restaurateur who runs two restaurants and a wine bar in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan. The estate’s winemaker, Artem Parseghyan, trained in Germany. More on Trinity Vineyards.
Trinity Eh Voskehat 2020, Estate Bottled Dry White, Trinity Canyon Vineyards, Armenia
This pleasant white wine is made from the old, local grape voskehat. Here we find aromas of citrus and herbs and a pleasant bitterness in the finish. Delicious wine with a relatively discreet character. The vines are planted at 1000 meters above sea level.
Van Ardi Estate
Van Ardi Rosé 2020, Armenia
A good, dry rosé with flavours of lingonberries, red currants, herbs and grapefruit. Quite full bodied and a refreshing finish. The grapes are 50% each of areni noir and milagh, a grape that gives a good structure to the blend. The alcohol content is a low 12.5%. (~12 euro)
Van Ardi was founded in 2008 by Varuzhan Mouradian who was born and raised in Armenia but lived for a long time in California with his family. He returned to his homeland, founded his estate, and now also helps other winegrowers who want to make quality wines in Armenia. The grapes grown on the estate are areni noir, milagh, haghtanak, kangun and syrah. More on Van Ardi.
Van Ardi Kangun 2020, Dry white wine, Armenia
The grape for this white wine is the local kangun. In aroma and taste we find peach and lemon and there is a good mouthfeel on the palate The acidity is not that high but sufficient for a good balance. A delicious and exciting wine. (~14 euro)
Van Ardi Estate Blend 2019, Armenia
The grapes are 40% areni noir, 35% haghtanak and 25% milagh. Lots of fruit, black currants, some pepperiness and also warm, more exotic spices, a slight touch of chocolate. Good structure with a bit of oak. (~16 euro)
Note that the label has been “adjusted”, presumably to be acceptable on the Swedish market (it is a bottle imported to Sweden), and some offending words, potentially interpreted as encouraging more consumption, has been taped over.
Tushpa Wine Cellar
Tushpa 2015 Reserve Haghtanak, Ararat Valley, Armenia
The grape here is the thick-skinned haghtanak, which produces a very dark wine. It is also very full-bodied, slightly peppery, with a generous fruit. It is not a heavy wine thanks to the fruit and a fresh acidity. The oak stays discreetly in the background, which is good. (~20 euro)
Tushpa is located 35 kilometres south of the capital Yerevan. The vineyards are located near the biblical Mount Ararat, at almost 800 meters above sea level. The estate grows the haghtanak and kangun grapes. The owner, Mihran Manasserian, has worked with wine for many years and he has seen the changes for the country’s wine industry up close. He studied winemaking at the Agricultural University of Armenia during the Soviet era and then worked for various wineries. When the Soviet Empire fell, he seized the opportunity to buy land and created Tushpa in 1992. More on Tushpa.
Some Armenian grapes
White grapes
Kangun: A Soviet-era crossing between the Georgian grape rkatsiteli and an Armenian grape. Often citrus aromas, some complexity, and a good body.
Voskehat: Armenia’s most popular green grape variety, known for giving the wine floral aromas and sometimes tropical fruit. The taste is often rich.
Red grapes
Areni noir: An old, local grape native to Vayot’s Dzor region and considered Armenia’s premier grape variety. It gives wines with red berries in the fruit, flowers and a certain elegance and also good tannins.
Haghtanak: A complicated cross made during the Soviet era between the Georgian grape saperavi and several other grapes. Haghtanak is a teinturier, meaning it has coloured pulp. It gives wines with a deep colour, lots of fruit and often also tannin. It is resistant to diseases.
Kakhet (milagh): Kakhet is often blended with areni noir and haghtanak and contributes with structure, black currants and plums and slightly spicy aromas. Milagh is a synonym.
Note: The wines are imported to Sweden by Argoria but may also be available in other countries.
