Six under-appreciated grape varieties

Areni, Armenia

This ancient grape variety is grown in Armenia on the border with Azerbaijan. One notable producer making quality Areni is Zorah Wines founded by Zorik Gharibian.

Gharibian spent a decade researching indigenous grapes and was impressed by the quality of Areni. He then hired hired Italian oenologist Alberto Antonini to consult its winemaking, determined to produce quality wines with grapes native to Armenia.

The grape is capable of producing wines that have no shortage of freshness and acidity. Aged in clay amphorae rather than oak, the wine is fruity and spicy in character, noted Robinson when tasting a Zorah Wines Karasi Areni 2014, adding that ageing wines in clay pots has become a trend, popularised in Georgia but one that is slowly taking hold worldwide in countries like Chile where producers are reviving the tradition as well.