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One of the largest countries in the Transcaucasus is home to many worthy wines with unique taste characteristics.
Considering that local winemaking is at least five thousand years old (and according to some sources, as many as seven), it becomes clear why Azerbaijani drinks are so popular.
It is noteworthy that most of the local grape varieties originated from wild vines that were skillfully cultivated and distributed throughout the country.
wine cocktails
A little history
The dawn of industrial winemaking in Azerbaijan is associated with the opening of the first large winery in the XNUMXth century.
By the beginning of the twentieth century, the production of local cognacs also started. Both companies were founded by Christopher Forer and Christian Hummel.
The introduction of “prohibition” at the end of the twentieth century for some time slowed down the development of the industry, which never fully recovered, although it reached high rates.
Features of Azerbaijani winemaking
The uniqueness of local wine production is determined by the following factors:
Variety of climatic zones and soils
The natural conditions in the country are so diverse that it is impossible to describe them in one word.
Azerbaijan has steppes, semi-deserts, regions with subtropical, continental and other types of climate.
Accordingly, the amount of precipitation, air humidity and soil composition vary.
Naturalness of local alcoholic products
Azerbaijani wines are considered one of the most environmentally friendly, as they do not contain artificial components.
A combination of modern technology and ancient customs
The equipment of large local factories meets the latest requirements, but the preservation of local winemaking traditions is mandatory in the process of making wines.
One of them is the manual harvesting of raw materials.
A wide range of grape varieties
Hundreds of titles. And these are only aboriginal ones, of which the most famous are: madras, ag-shany, tabrizi, kishmish, marandi, accordion shirey, etc.
In addition, the best world varieties, such as Muscat, Aligote, Rkatsiteli, Cabernet, Isabella, Riesling, etc., perfectly take root and bear fruit in the country.
wine regions
In each region of the country, depending on climatic conditions and local traditions, certain types of raw materials are grown and their own versions of alcoholic beverages are made.
The most famous products of the following wine areas:
Absheron Peninsula
One of the most fertile areas. More than 50 varieties of grapes are cultivated here, which grow right on the sands in a creeping form.
Thanks to the sea wind, the vines are protected from most diseases.
In Absheron, fruits with high sugar content are mainly grown, including different varieties of “shany”.
Shamakhi region
Another major wine region with a favorable climate and a variety of grape varieties.
Harmonious Shemakha drinks have become famous far beyond the borders of the country.
In addition, there are many small wineries in the region that produce products in compliance with local traditions.
Ismayilli region
The village of Ivanovka is the most famous, where the unique red variety of Madras grows, which cannot be found in any other region of the world.
It has a high sugar content and a special vitamin and mineral composition, which gives the wine a rich taste.
Gabala region
Grapes are grown here in the foothills, which provides drinks with a complex, deep bouquet and a soft, velvety taste.
Ganja
Wine production technologies in the area were formed on the basis of local traditions under active German influence.
In the city of Ganja, there is a “School of viticulture” where future winemakers are trained.
In the cities of Goygol, Gazakh and Shamkir
Being the administrative centers of the respective regions, the first wine and brandy productions were founded.
Locally made drinks were popular in Europe and at the Russian royal court.
Geokchay and Aghdam regions
Known for the unusual technology of growing grapes: the vines cling to tall trees.
Predominantly white varieties are cultivated here for simple table wines.
Nagorno-Karabakh
It specializes in the cultivation of the native red Khindogny variety.
Wines from it are powerful, bright, with intense color and noble bouquet.
Major producers and the best wines
Among the wineries, the largest are:
OJSC “Ganja Sharab-2”.
Agro-Azerinvest LLC.
Baku-Wine-1 OJSC.
Azeri-France LLC.
Winery “Sherg-Ulduzu”.
“Tovuz-Baltiya”.
ASPI AGRO LLC
The most famous wines are:
Red: Hindogni, Madras, Shirvan, Shemaha, Gabala, Akstafa, Gobustan, Karabakh.
White: Sadylli, Shemaha, Agdam, Mil, Kara-Chanah, Akstafa, Alabashli, Ag-Sufre.
Pink: Al-sharab, Hadrut.
In addition, Azerbaijan produces rare pomegranate wine.
The industrial production of this drink in the country began relatively recently, although it has been made at home for a long time.
The drink is sweet and semi-sweet. Of the brands, the most popular are “Agsu” and “Golden Baku”.
Relevance: 13.09.2018
Tags: Wine and vermouth, Wine brands