Ararat (brandy)

The legally protected term Armenian brandy (English Armenian brandy, Russian Армянский коньяк, Armjanski konjac ) refers to high-quality brandy from Armenia. The most common name for this brandy was in the Eastern Bloc " Armenian cognac ", as the term Cognac is only the French brandies from this region of France, protected by worldwide trademark registration, reserved, now applies the international designation.

The preparation of the Armenian brandy is heavily controlled by the government of Armenia. It may also be prescribed by law only grape used from Armenian production, these wines are called Rkatsiteli, Mskhali, Garan Multiple Activation Key, Kangu and Voskehat.

History

The production of wine and brandy in Armenia has a long tradition. Historians have found that the history of winemaking dates back over 3000 years already. The dry and warm climate, nutrient- rich soils of the Ararat Valley and the soft water from the mountains provided the prerequisites for this. Brandy / Brandy is distilled in Armenia for over 150 years. In 1887, the industrialized production of brandy began in Armenia Nerses Tairjan founded the Yerevan Brandy Company. In his time the brandy and wine production has increased considerably. He also improved the quality by letting create new vines and new brandy cellar. Then, six years later, in 1898, began Shustov & Sons, a very large alcohol distributor at the time, to drive away the brandy anywhere in Eastern Europe. Under Shustov the distillery grew further, so that in 1903 already came half consumed in Russia brandy from Armenia.

Armenia in 1922 was one of the Soviet republics, thereby the production of brandy and all other branches of industry were nationalized. The Yerevan Brandy and wine factory had a monopoly for the production in the Armenian SSR and brought the government over 70 years, high tax revenues. In the Soviet times Armenian Brandy was the preferred alcoholic beverage of diplomats.

After the decline of the USSR and the founding of new states of Armenia 1991, the factory was removed from the monopoly for high-quality brandies. In 1998, the former state-owned enterprise was privatized. The largest part of the former state-owned enterprise is the present day Yerevan Brandy Company, Yerevan, which also sells the famous Ararat Brandy. The company has been supplying the Soviet era through the surrounding wineries. After the break came from the small wineries several smaller brandy factories, all of which operate according to the Armenian tradition, each individual brandy gives their own touch.

• Brandy
• Culture ( Armenia)
• Asian Cuisine