ArmInfo. The founder of the winery Zorah, an Italian businessman of Armenian origin Zorik Gharibyan addressed an open letter to the owner of "Tierras De Armenia" CJSC Eduard Ernekian with an appeal to share the brand "Karas". Previously, the Karas Vines plant belonging to Ernekyan sued the Armenian Ministry of Economy, so that the agency banned the use of the word "Karas" (Pitcher) on the labels of the products of other Armenian winemakers.
According to Gharibyan, "Karas Vines" CJSC, wishing to prohibit Armenian winemakers from using this word, is trying to monopolize what historically is common, as wine has been kept in karas from time immemorial in Armenia. This is the oldest tradition of Armenian winemaking and part of the country's cultural heritage. That is why he considered absurd attempts to privatize the word "Karas". Moreover, the company "Karas Vines" itself prepares wine on other technologies without the use of carats.
Such a way of behavior of the company "Karas", Gharibyan called the letter disrespectful of the history. "This is a typical entrepreneurial swagger, indicative of short-sightedness," he stressed. In this connection, Gharibyan cited the example of neighboring Georgia, where the Georgian Kvevri, similar to the Armenian karasas, received the status of UNESCO's subject cultural heritage.
Turning to E. Ernekian, the winemaker noted that the development and prosperity of winemaking in Armenia can be achieved only through unity, common cooperation, farsightedness, and, most importantly, in the recognition and respect of the cultural and historical heritage. "The only victim in this matter will be the future development of Armenian winemaking. And I ask, what do you advocate - for division and disagreement or for the strength of unity?", concluded Z. Gharibyan in the letter.