Wine producing countries and their subregions, such as Armenia, have a scarce presence in Ontario with a state monopoly controlling all wines flowing into the province except for the miserable duty-free wine quotas a traveller can bring into Canada from abroad or “smuggle” in from other provinces. There is no free Canadian interprovincial wine trade.
We have had a couple of Armenian reds on the shelves in Ontario as of late. But what can a wine writer do to expand their knowledge of a country and its subregion’s wines? Either the wines can be brought into the province for a “trade show” so consumers, wine writers and potential agents can get a crack at sampling a multitude of wines in a short period of time or even better take wine tourism writers/tour operators to the producing country where they can visit wineries, talk with the winery teams, try wines, sample local cuisine and get a feel for local tourist sites of interest. You want tourists to visit your country bring over those who will inform their readers and viewers not only about wine but wineries, local cuisine and interesting touristic sites. These “FAM” trips require an outlay of money to transport, feed and lodge journalists and tourism wholesalers. If you are cheap about the expenditure remain in obscurity.
Without such trips to Armenia how is the world to be cognizant about Armenian wines, cuisine and Armenian tourist sites?
Speaking of Armenia we sample a Yerevan 2023 Red Dry Winemaker’s Blend. Yerevan is both Armenia’s largest and capital city. The wine is 65% Areni and 35% Kamrahyut the grapes being from the Vayots Dzor and Aragtsotn continental climate locations with altitude of 1700 to 5000 feet. Areni is a village in southwestern Armenia where in 2011 a cave was unearthed revealing a winery estimated to be 6,100 years old.
Aroma: Blackberry, cassis, boysenberry, dates, chocolate covered cherries and high-toned raspberry. No oak.
Palate: Minimal tannins and controlled acidity. Raspberry mingling with milk chocolate. Both strawberry and raspberry jam. This midweight wine has a gentle long finish.
Personality: Admit it. You have never had a wine like this before so perhaps you can stumble around clumsily and get some bearings as misguided as they may be like thinking there is some similarity to a Pinot Noir Gamay blend.
Food Match: Shashlik (grilled kebabs).
Cellarbility: Drink by 2025-year end.
Price: $20.65 CDN.
RKS 2025 Wine Rating: 89/100.
(Yerevan 782 B.C. Areni/Kamrahyut 2023 Red Blend Winemaker’s Blend, Armenia Wine Company, Sasunik Village, Armenia, 750 mL, 13%).
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