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HULIQ.com, SC
July 9 2011
Armenia's historic brandy helping a hard hit economy
Submitted by Roz Zurko on 2011-07-09
Winston Churchill would only sip on brandy made in Armenia and the
brandy from that country is made the same today, with the sales of
this unique high quality spirit helping to keep the economy going
Armenia is a country that holds much beauty within its borders from
historic sites to the mountain views, but it is also a country that is
struggling with its economy today. In the capital city of Yerevan high
on a hill, stands a red stone fortress, that houses a company that has
survived this struggle and is helping the economy with its historical
brandy.
The headquarters of the Yerevan Brandy Company holds old oak casts and
the antique stills that are used to make this product. It is the same
set-up seen since the late 1800's for making this brandy. This is one
of the many famous distilleries that makes the highly sought after
brandies from this country.
Armenian brandy was made famous world wide by Winston Churchill, who
favored this spirit for its unique quality and taste. According the
BBC, Armenians have a favorite Churchill quote, that was his answer
when asked the secret of his long life, `Cuban cigars and Armenian
brandy and no sport!' Another fan of this brandy was Stalin, who
shipped a case of Armenian brandy to Churchill every year.
The raw material that makes the Armenian brandy comes from the farms
scattered through-out the mountains of Armenia. This helps the farmers
with income as the ingredients for this brandy comes from this region.
`The Yerevan Brandy Company uses mainly Ararat Valley grapes grown on
700 meters above sea level on a variety of soils (30 different
types),' according to the Wines World Index.
Armenia's most important manufactured export is brandy, and with the
country's economical problems, Yerevan is anxious to find new markets
for this product. This is where the Churchill connection to the brandy
could be very beneficial. The favorite brandy of this iconic world
leader is sure to lend some strength in advertising and ultimately
produce more sales of Armenian brandy.
One of the problems plaguing the farmers that supply the ingredients
to make this liquor, is the change in the climate, which has hit
Armenia hard. Violent rainfall, hotter summers and colder winters is
playing havoc with the crops.
According to the BBC, brandy means hope to the thousands of families
that live in the harsh mountains of Armenia. When a late snowfall, or
the torrential rains of spring endanger the crops, it is taking away
from the little that these people have.
Armenian distillers call their brandies `Kanyak,' which is the
spelling of cognac in eastern Europe. They market their brandies as
Kanyak, instead of brandy.
According to the Wines World Index, `Armenian brandies are smooth,
smell of apricots, exude purity of flavors, and are free of additives
(tannin powder, caramel for color homogeneity etc.) often employed by
distilleries of other countries.'
Brandy made in Armenia, especially the brandy from the Yerevan
Company, has always been associated with high quality. This company
was awarded several international gold, silver and bronze medals for
quality and flavor in London, Paris, and Brussels, in the 20th
century.
While it is exported to various markets throughout the world,
expanding its markets could only benefit the economy.
http://www.huliq.com/12079/armenias-historic-brandy-helping-hard-hit-economy
July 9 2011
Armenia's historic brandy helping a hard hit economy
Submitted by Roz Zurko on 2011-07-09
Winston Churchill would only sip on brandy made in Armenia and the
brandy from that country is made the same today, with the sales of
this unique high quality spirit helping to keep the economy going
Armenia is a country that holds much beauty within its borders from
historic sites to the mountain views, but it is also a country that is
struggling with its economy today. In the capital city of Yerevan high
on a hill, stands a red stone fortress, that houses a company that has
survived this struggle and is helping the economy with its historical
brandy.
The headquarters of the Yerevan Brandy Company holds old oak casts and
the antique stills that are used to make this product. It is the same
set-up seen since the late 1800's for making this brandy. This is one
of the many famous distilleries that makes the highly sought after
brandies from this country.
Armenian brandy was made famous world wide by Winston Churchill, who
favored this spirit for its unique quality and taste. According the
BBC, Armenians have a favorite Churchill quote, that was his answer
when asked the secret of his long life, `Cuban cigars and Armenian
brandy and no sport!' Another fan of this brandy was Stalin, who
shipped a case of Armenian brandy to Churchill every year.
The raw material that makes the Armenian brandy comes from the farms
scattered through-out the mountains of Armenia. This helps the farmers
with income as the ingredients for this brandy comes from this region.
`The Yerevan Brandy Company uses mainly Ararat Valley grapes grown on
700 meters above sea level on a variety of soils (30 different
types),' according to the Wines World Index.
Armenia's most important manufactured export is brandy, and with the
country's economical problems, Yerevan is anxious to find new markets
for this product. This is where the Churchill connection to the brandy
could be very beneficial. The favorite brandy of this iconic world
leader is sure to lend some strength in advertising and ultimately
produce more sales of Armenian brandy.
One of the problems plaguing the farmers that supply the ingredients
to make this liquor, is the change in the climate, which has hit
Armenia hard. Violent rainfall, hotter summers and colder winters is
playing havoc with the crops.
According to the BBC, brandy means hope to the thousands of families
that live in the harsh mountains of Armenia. When a late snowfall, or
the torrential rains of spring endanger the crops, it is taking away
from the little that these people have.
Armenian distillers call their brandies `Kanyak,' which is the
spelling of cognac in eastern Europe. They market their brandies as
Kanyak, instead of brandy.
According to the Wines World Index, `Armenian brandies are smooth,
smell of apricots, exude purity of flavors, and are free of additives
(tannin powder, caramel for color homogeneity etc.) often employed by
distilleries of other countries.'
Brandy made in Armenia, especially the brandy from the Yerevan
Company, has always been associated with high quality. This company
was awarded several international gold, silver and bronze medals for
quality and flavor in London, Paris, and Brussels, in the 20th
century.
While it is exported to various markets throughout the world,
expanding its markets could only benefit the economy.
http://www.huliq.com/12079/armenias-historic-brandy-helping-hard-hit-economy