Wine secrets

The 2023 Areni Yeriza red wine originates in Aghavnadzor, in the Vayots Dzor region, at an altitude of over 1,300 meters, in the heart of Armenia. This mountain vineyard, planted on its own rootstock—that is, ungrafted vines on American rootstock—offers the indigenous Areni grape variety a demanding environment. “Yeriza” refers to an ancient city linked to the goddess Anahit, a figure of motherhood. Made from hand-harvested grapes and vinified in stainless steel tanks, this wine has a distinct character: intense and precise. The palate is smooth and the tannins are fine. This Armenian wine, shaped by landscapes worthy of classic American Westerns, is a taste journey to the Orient that retains a distinctly French touch. It pairs naturally with meat dishes or stews and benefits from being served slightly chilled to preserve its vibrancy. This wine, though geographically it is more closely associated with Rhodes, has something of the Rhône Valley about it. With this vintage, Domaine Djabourian inscribes the ancient heritage of Armenian winemaking into a contemporary register.

By Pierre Grandjean, Valeurs actuelles, February 25, 2026