Cognac has been produced in Armenia for a long time, from the very beginning and until today it has been well-deserved demand and respect among the connoisseurs of this drink, due to its high quality, which is achieved by highly qualified specialists - masters of their craft.
History
In 1887, the production of Armenian cognac began. At this time, the merchant of the first guild Nersess Tairyan founded a winery in Yerevan. Local cognac was produced using French technology, and by that time the history of these drinks totaled more than 150 years.
The next round of development of the plant began in 1899, when it was acquired by merchant Nikolai Shustov, who significantly increased the production of cognac. The year 1900 was a turning point, it was at this time that Shustov sent examples of his cognac to an exhibition in Paris and won the Grand Prix there. In this regard, the French allowed the drink to be called not brandy, as it should, but cognac, so to this day the product produced at the Shustov Yerevan factory is called that way.
At the same time, cognac produced by the partnership "N. L. Shustov and Sons, ”begins to be delivered to the Imperial Palace. In 1920, the Yerevan factory passed into state ownership. In 1953, he moved to another building and became known as “Yerevan Brandy Factory”. It is here that the best 5-star Armenian cognac is still produced. Since 1998, the YBC has been part of the Perno Ricard group. Armenian brandy is a drink that is produced in Armenia and is popular all over the world.
An interesting fact in the history of cognac is the story associated with the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Every day he drank a bottle of Dvin brandy, but one day it turned out that his favorite drink had changed his taste, and he immediately told Stalin about it. The changes occurred due to the fact that the technologist of the Yerevan Brandy Factory was exiled to Siberia. After the incident, specialist in his field, Markar Sedrakyan, was returned to his previous position and awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor. He held this position from 1948 to 1973, was awarded the title “Knight of Tasting” in 1972 in France.
Characteristics of the drink
Real Armenian 5-star cognac should be transparent, dark amber in color and without sediment. The proportion of alcohol is at least 40%.
Five-star Armenian cognac is made by blending middle-aged cognac spirits and aged in handmade Caucasian oak barrels for at least five years. Six grape varieties are used for its production, 5 of which are purely Armenian, and the sixth is the Georgian “rakatsiteli”. The bouquet of the drink does not open immediately, but with time. Dried fruit notes are in perfect harmony with the aromas of vanilla and flowers. The drink has a complex, pronounced taste with hints of chocolate and spices. This cognac will have a long finish, and it perfectly acts as a digestif.
The most famous cognacs of Armenia
Until 1999, there was only one brandy enterprise in Armenia - this is the Yerevan Brandy Factory. Then other manufacturers appeared.
In Armenia, there are about ten manufacturers of brandy and even more suppliers who import products under the brand name “Armenian brandy”.
The most famous manufacturers are:
- Yerevan Brandy Factory (Pernod Ricard Group);
- MARZ Ararat Brandy Factory;
- Great Valley
- Yerevan Brandy Wine and Vodka Factory "Ararat".
The most popular Armenian drink is produced by the Yerevan Brandy Company - this is Ararat brandy. It has a golden color and delicate aroma. “Ararat” is a 5-star Armenian cognac, according to the best experts, no worse than imported drinks.
It’s worth saying a few words about the price. So, if we consider the Armenian cognac (5 stars), the price of a bottle is on average $ 20. But there are options both cheaper and more expensive.
The second popular 5-star Armenian cognac - “Noah” - is considered the country's national pride. The Bible also describes how, during the great flood, Noah entered the lands of Mount Ararat. And, as is known from childhood, a delicious grape grows on Mount Ararat , which is used to make 5-star Armenian cognac. It differs in the fact that the next morning after drinking the drink the head does not hurt. The cost of a bottle of such a drink is from $ 30.
Armenian cognac 5 stars: reviews
Armenian cognac is a symbol of quality; it is appreciated all over the world due to its pronounced taste and long aftertaste. Special connoisseurs sometimes compare Armenian 5-star cognac with Armagnac. It is considered ideal for a gift.
The biggest problem of Armenian cognac is fakes, which can be detected only after opening. The first difference is the aroma, in a real drink it will be multifaceted, and the fake has a pronounced smell of alcohol. When buying, you should pay attention to where the drink was made and bottled; genuine Armenian cognac is always produced in Armenia.