Armenian Winemakers Union Urges E Government O Help Create Favorable Image For Armenian Wines
04.02.2011,
23:39
Chairman of the Armenian Winemakers Union, Avag Harutuyunian, urged the government today to help create a favorable image for Armenian wines and help local wineries to advertise and sell their products outside the country.
YEREVAN, February 4, /ARKA/. Chairman of the Armenian Winemakers Union, Avag Harutuyunian, urged the government today to help create a favorable image for Armenian wines and help local wineries to advertise and sell their products outside the country.
Speaking at a news conference he said winemakers’ efforts to improve the quality of wines is not enough to build a competitive image for Armenian wines. He added that the government should design and implement a special policy like the government in neighboring Georgia that is using all available means, including its diplomats, to advertise its wines.
He said the image should be built on historical traditions and arguments, referring, particularly, to a recent discovery of the world's oldest known winery in a cave in Vayots Dzor province, indicating that humans were distilling grapes during the Copper Age, more than 6,000 years ago.
The artifacts were discovered by Armenian, US and Irish archaeologists inside a cave complex, close to Areni village that still makes its own wine. They were found on the same site where archaeologists had in June 2010 discovered a perfectly preserved leather moccasin dating back 5,500 years, considered to be the world's oldest shoe.
Armenia has some 20 small and larger wineries. According to Harutyunian, some 50 more should be built, but that would require $200 million investments. Forty thousand farmers are engaged in grape growing and 90% of grape is used for production of brandy. --0--
Speaking at a news conference he said winemakers’ efforts to improve the quality of wines is not enough to build a competitive image for Armenian wines. He added that the government should design and implement a special policy like the government in neighboring Georgia that is using all available means, including its diplomats, to advertise its wines.
He said the image should be built on historical traditions and arguments, referring, particularly, to a recent discovery of the world's oldest known winery in a cave in Vayots Dzor province, indicating that humans were distilling grapes during the Copper Age, more than 6,000 years ago.
The artifacts were discovered by Armenian, US and Irish archaeologists inside a cave complex, close to Areni village that still makes its own wine. They were found on the same site where archaeologists had in June 2010 discovered a perfectly preserved leather moccasin dating back 5,500 years, considered to be the world's oldest shoe.
Armenia has some 20 small and larger wineries. According to Harutyunian, some 50 more should be built, but that would require $200 million investments. Forty thousand farmers are engaged in grape growing and 90% of grape is used for production of brandy. --0--
