Azerbaijani wine

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Vineyards of Azerbaijan
Kur-Araz Lowland
Caucasus Mountains
Growing seasonCold dry, rainy or snowy winters
Warm, dry, sunny summers
Climate regionContinental
Heat unitsRegion III, IV, V
Precipitation (annual average)250mm-600 mm
Total area86,600 km2 (33,000 sq mi)
Size of planted vineyards6,062 km2 (2,000 sq mi)
Ranked 6th
Varietals producedVitis vinifera, Pinot noir, Rkatsiteli, Pinot blanc, Aligoté, Madrasa
Wine produced7,200 tons (2007)

Azerbaijani wine is produced in several regions throughout Azerbaijan. Prior to 20th century communist rule, the region which makes up modern-day Azerbaijan had produced wine since the second millennium BC.[1] The territory of modern-day Azerbaijan has a long history of wine production, that was rediscovered at archaeological digs of settlements in Kültəpə, Qarabağlar[2]

Since the

Bayanshire and Madrasa.[2]

History

In

Goygol Rayon of the country, archeologists have found jars with remains of wines which date back to the second millennium BC.[1]

The culture of wine-making was enriched with arrival of

Helenendorf industrialized the wine production making it competitive with European wines.[5]

Pinot noir has been widely used throughout Azerbaijan for wine-making

Modern times

The contemporary wine-making in Azerbaijan is seen in

Pinot Noir.[7]

Azerbaijan is one of the main wine producers in the Caspian Sea region. Contemporary wine-making was ambitiously developed during the 1970s by Soviet authorities who preferred to increase the wine production versus development of the grain industry. As per special decrees of the Cabinet of Ministers, more funds were allocated for the industry setting between 70 and 80 thousand hectares of land for vineyards. The initial plans were to produce as much as 3 million tons of grapes annually by 1990. Due to increased productivity, Azerbaijan was producing nearly 2.1 million tons of grapes by 1982.[8] The industry brought about 100 million rubles annually.[4] Most of wines produced in Azerbaijan during Soviet rule were exported to Russia, Belarus, and the Baltic, however, during the 1980s export was slowed due to Gorbachev's alcoholism prohibition campaign.[3]

Currently, there are nearly 10 wineries and vineyards producing wine in the country. The largest one is

Goygol Wine Plant near Ganja founded in 1860 by German immigrants. Exports to other countries are steadily growing due to good quality of Azerbaijani wine products.[3] Most of produce is currently being targeted for Russian and European markets as well as new growing markets for Azerbaijani wine such as China.[9] Due to growing demand, new grape plantations have been set up over 100 hectares in Shamkir region of Azerbaijan.[10]
Azerbaijan has been increasing its wine production for the last several years. In 2003, it produced 3,790, in 2005 - 4,005 and in 2007 - 7,200 tons of wine.[11]

In 2012, Azerbaijani president approved a decree "State Program for development of grape growth 2012-2020".[12] The aim of the program is to increase the grape growth as well as develop winemaking, and rise the rate of exportation.[12] Each year, the size of the territories for growing grape is rising.[13] Within the state program, territory of grape gardens will be 50 thousand hectares.[13] It is expected that the grape growth will reach to 500 tons until 2020.[13] 30% of grape is considered to be consumed for eating.[13] The rest of the crop will be used to produce various brands of wine.[13]

Climate and geography

The geography and climate of Azerbaijan creates a vast diversity of microclimates.

The mountainous geography of Azerbaijan and its close location to the large Caspian Sea creates a vast diversity of

irrigation to help deal with periodic droughts during the warm summer months.[1]

The average annual temperatures for many Azerbaijani wine regions fall between 10.5 and 15.5 °C (51-60 °F). Azerbaijan includes Regions III, IV and V on the

degree days. Annual rainfall in the lowlands, where most of the grapes are grown, up to the foothills varies from 250-600mm.[1]

Wine styles

Plantings of Aligote are increasing in Azerbaijan.

Among the names of wine brands are Reyhani, Jumhuri, Mishmish, Valani, Arastun, Handigun and Salmavey. Contemporary brand names include Shahdagh, Chinar, Sadili, Aghdam, Kurdamir, Aghstafa and Madrasali.

Shamakhi Rayon only.[8] Rkatsiteli is another kind of grape grown and used for wine-making in Georgia, but which also gets used in northwestern Azerbaijan.[6]

Effect on the Azerbaijani economy

Wine is considered as the second most popular alcoholic beverage in Azerbaijan, which is preferred by 37 % of the drinkers according to the WHO reports.[15] Wine consumed in Azerbaijan is both locally produced and imported from other countries. Recent years Azerbaijani wine is being produced in larger quantities, namely more than 1 million deciliters of which 375 thousand was exported.[16][17]

Wine production in Azerbaijan (in thsd. deciliters)[16]
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
835,5 1 003,1 1 035,0 1049,0 1020,1

Russia was the main export destination for Azerbaijani wine with 90% of the total amount in 2017. The other main export countries are China, Kyrgyzstan and Belgium.[18][19]

Natural grape wine and grape juice exported from Azerbaijan
Years Quantity (in thsd. deciliters) Value, thous. US dollar
2010 223.9 4034
2011 338.4 5963.3
2012 389.4 7135.4
2013 409.4 6895.1
2014 337.0 6137.9
2015 194.5 3794.7
2016 189.5 3585.3
2017 375 6008.6
Extracted from stat.gov.az

See also

References

  1. ^
  2. ^ .
  3. ^ a b c "Wine on the Silk Road. Azerbaijan, an unlikely producer, is presenting deliciously drinkable wines". 2010-09-10. Archived from the original on 2010-11-21. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  4. ^ a b Paul Globe (2008-01-07). "Window on Eurasia: 'Not By Oil Alone'— Azerbaijan's Wine Industry Bounces Back". Window on Eurasia. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  5. ^ Jacqueline Grewlich-Suchet (Summer 2004). "Wine and Wagons. Helenendorf: Azerbaijan's First German Settlement". Azerbaijan International. Archived from the original on 13 December 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  6. ^ a b Jonathan Fryer (2010-11-03). "Azerbaijan: A Cultural Crossroads". Diplomat. Archived from the original on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  7. ^ "Cuisine and Wine of Azerbaijan". Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  8. ^ a b Arzu Aghayeva (Autumn 2000). "Seeds of Change. Transition in Azerbaijan's Agriculture". Azerbaijan International. Archived from the original on 16 December 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  9. ^ "Azerbaijani wine for the bars of Beijing? China is reported to be showing unexpected demand for Azerbaijani wine". China Wines Information. 2010-11-26. Archived from the original on 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  10. ^ "Azerbaijani wine exported to Europe". News.az. 2010-09-22. Archived from the original on 2010-09-26. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  11. ^ "Wine production (tons)" (PDF). Food and Agriculture Organization. p. 28. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
  12. ^ a b "Azərbaycanda üzümçülük və şərabçılığın tarixi, müasir vəziyyəti və gələcək inkişafı haqqında". Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Azərbaycan şərabları və şərabçılığı - "Xeyri yoxdur çaxırın, içmə açar paxırın"". Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  14. ^ Farid Alakbarov (Autumn 2000). "Ancient Wines. Exactly What the Doctor Ordered". Azerbaijan International. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  15. ^ "Azerbaijan - Alcohol Consumptıon: Levels And Patterns" (PDF). World Health Organization. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  16. ^ a b State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2018). Azerbaijan in figures 2018 - statistical yearbook (PDF). Baku. p. 210.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  17. ^ "Azerbaijani Wine Is Going Places, As Government Boosts Exports". caspiannews.com. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  18. ^ "Trade - External economic activities - Dynamics of main commodities exports". The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  19. ^ "Trade - External economic activities - Exports of main commodities in 2017 (by countries)". The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Retrieved 2019-09-09.

External links