Zulal Wines 2019 Vayots Dzor Areni (Armenia)

The Wine

Of all the winegrapes grown in the ancient winemaking region of Armenia, the red grape known as Areni is their crown jewel. It is indigenous to Armenia and dates back over 6,000 years.

During the Soviet era, winemaking was reduced to the lowest common denominator - quality was sacrificed for quantity, and much of it was distilled to create hard alcohol. But in the decades since the fall of the wall, Armenia's winegrowers (along with those in Slovenia, Croatia and Georgia) have re-learned the finer points of growing, vinifying and enjoying wines that are earning their spot on the global stage! 

This wine comes to us from the same producers that provided the ever-popular Shofer wines, also made from the Areni grape. The Shofer is made in a brighter, fruit-driven style, while the Vayots Dzor is a more contemplative wine to be appreciated with a meal and good friends who share your appreciation for such things (not that I know who's reading this, if anyone at all, but I presume if you've made it to the END of this paragraph, you're in the club, so to speak!)