Wine "Kurdamir" has a rather mysterious story. Nobody knows the true origin of the name. But there are several versions. For example, "Cur", if translated from the Shivran dialect, will be close to the words valiant, bold or courageous. And Damir was called the leader of the settlements. So it turns out something like a "brave leader" or "brave leader."
Kurdamir is a village that was part of the Baku province (Geokchansky district). On the Transcaucasian Railway, this settlement was marked as a transshipment station. Today it is a city and administrative center of the homonymous region of Azerbaijan.
Some historical events
When the Caucasian army of Islamic followers attacked Baku, quite serious battles unfolded in this village. In the eighteenth year of the twentieth century, in mid-June, the Baku armed forces captured Kurdamir, and the battle was quite short. But by the middle of next month, this settlement passed under the control of the Turkish-Azerbaijani troops.
About the wine itself
Azerbaijani wine "Kurdamir" belongs to the category of dessert. It is made from Shivran grapes, this variety is exclusive, grown only in this Transcaucasian republic. Wine is only red, and in terms of sugar content it can be attributed to liquors. This alcoholic beverage was launched in 1927. It has a rich dark ruby color, in the bouquet pronounced fruit notes with a predominance of black currant.
The alcohol content, as in any dessert wine, is 16%. But sugar reaches 23 g per 100 cm 3 . Wine "Kurdamir" is made from berries, the sugar content of which is at least 28%.
Production technology
The grapes are crushed, then the pulp is separated, which is closed in the vats and waiting for the fermentation process to begin. After this, the process of alcoholization begins. The mixture is adjusted to the desired number of revolutions (16%). All mix thoroughly, tightly close and leave to infuse for a couple of months. Only after the completion of the procedure is the wine material sent to the press. The wort after the first squeeze is used for the manufacture of Kurdamir.
But this is not the end. An alcoholic beverage must be aged for at least three years.
What wines are still produced?
Of course, in this fertile land, not only Kurdamir wine is produced. Azerbaijan is also famous for the sweet Beni Carlo wine. This drink has its own story. At one time, the winemaker Dolganov was very famous in a certain circle. He traveled all over the south of Russia in order to find the grapes he needed. And he found it in Azerbaijan, in Kurdamir. He set up wine production here and even created his own production technology.
This wine has a dark dense color and a bright bouquet characteristic of the area. This wine combines two opposite qualities: it is tannic, but, at the same time, tender. Many confuse this alcoholic drink with the Kurdamir wine. Although actually the homeland of Beni Carlo is Spain, but in this region just found the right grapes for the production of similar wine.
Only in this area does suitable grape grow for its production.
Is there a white "Kurdamir"?
Why is Kurdamir wine sometimes considered white? Yes, because in the Geokchay region mainly white grape varieties grow. They cling to tall trees and wrap them around them. Not only wine is prepared from grapes here, but also ordinary concentrated juices. But it is worth noting that wines from white varieties here are obtained simple, everyday. They do not have a special bouquet or aroma, and their acidity is quite low.
There is another grape region in Azerbaijan - Agdam. Here white wines become much more interesting. Here the vine also "climbs" into the trees, but not so high. White grapes also prevail in the area. Wines in the Agdam region are most often produced by canteens. They have a pleasant freshness and a light delicate aroma.
Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the most famous wine in Azerbaijan to this day is the Kurdamir wine, which was awarded three gold and four silver medals.