415.35 EUR 
U.S. and European markets to demand Armenian wines- experts
YEREVAN, October 8. /ARKA/. Famous European sommeliers say the wines produced in Armenia will be demanded at the U.S. and EU markets due to their quality.
“The Armenian wines can be exported to the USA, France, Argentina, Italy. This is the second time I’ve been to Armenia, and I can say I’ve noticed significant changes for the better,” France’s 2008 sommelier of the year according to Gault Millau Serge Ghoukassian told journalists on Monday.
Armenia should develop winemaking along with wine tourism following the European experience, he added.
“In this sphere Armenia has a great potential. Armenia is a country with the ancient traditions of winemaking. It is necessary to design wine routes, develop service and infrastructure,” he noted.
Sommelier also said over 6-thousand-year -old Areni 1 winery that was discovered in Areni-1 cave complex in south-eastern Armenia can boost wine reputation of Armenia.
A member of Italian Federation of Sommeliers (FISAR) Luca Quanapik graded 7 out of 10 to the quality of Armenian wines, noting that Armenia has good local grape varieties, however, there is a lack of experience and technologies for wine production.
He also noted that winemaking is currently developing in Armenia.
As of wine tourism, Armenia can follow the example of Tuscany and other regions of Italy, where economy develops due to wine and gastronomic tourism, he clarified
At present there are 20 small and medium sized winemaking companies in Armenia. Nearly 40,000 farmers are involved into viticulture; 90% of grape is used for brandy production, and only 10%- for wine production.
In 2011 Armenia procuded 5.6 million liters of wine; 12.5% of it was exported.
Wine production in Armenia advanced 11.8% in the first half of this year from a year earlier to 1.68 billion drams. Within the reported period 1.76 billion drams were earned in wine sales, which is 32.9% higher from the fist half a year earlier.
Armenia’s wine export rose by 16.7 % totaling in 522.7 million drams.—0-
17:42 08.10.2012
