YEREVAN.- Despite the fact that winemaking exists in Armenia for more than 6,000 years, only Armenia brandy is  famous worldwide.

To tackle the problem, Armenia Wine is producing high quality wine, chief adviser to the company Jean-Baptiste Soulat told reporters, noting that the oldest wine cellar was found in Vayots Dzor region of Armenia (photo).

The expert believes Armenia is able to supply wine which will meet international standards.

“300 varieties of grapes were grown in Armenia till 1960. Only 30 remain up to date. This is explained by industrial character of Armenian winemaking. Most grapes are grown in Tavush, Aragatsotn, Ararat and Vayots Dzor regions, while there are local varieties that do not grow anywhere else - Areni, Kakhet, Karmrahyut,” he said.

In order to get a high quality harvest, the method of irrigation must be changed. “We also intend to grow varieties of high-quality European grapes here,” he added.

Armenia Wine company has carried out the largest investment in winemaking. Being a leader in the application of modern technology, the company is also the largest purchaser of grapes. In 2012, the company was ranked 52nd on the list of largest taxpayers.

The company is expected to register a 300-percent growth in exports, setting a record for the export of wines from Armenia. At present, the company exports high-quality wine to the United States and the Baltic states, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Belarus, France and Russia. In 2014, Armenia Wine plans to sell about 2.5 million bottles of wine.

This year, the company plans to begin construction of a facility to launch production of champagne. This year may also be promising in terms of vodka production, the negotiations on exports are underway.

In winter 2012 the company introduced premium wine «TARIRI», named after the daughter of the king of Menua. At the end of this year, the company will join the list of the high quality wines with another sample the name of which is kept secret.

In his turn, an expert on brandy, advisor to Armenia Wine Lober Leota noted that Armenia has now appealed to international organizations to leave the right to use the word “cognac” in the international market.

He predicted that 2013 will be promising for company’s brandy production. The expert noted that the company is using wooden barrels made of oak which are imported from France.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am