ArmInfo. In the conditions of global warming, French winemakers are increasingly interested in resilient and endemic Armenian grape varieties,as stated by Gilbert-Luc Devinaz, Chairman of the France-Armenia Friendship Group of the French Senate, during a meeting with Zaruhi Muradyan, Chairman of the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia (VWFA).
He noted that introducing Armenian grape varieties in Europe will help promote them, enhance Armenia's global recognition, and allow these varieties to open up in new terroirs, creating unique wine profiles. Devinaz also expressed his support for the Foundation's efforts to have the Vayots Dzor vineyards listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
According to the VWFA press service, the parties discussed in detail the cultural and strategic significance of this project for Armenia.
Recall, in July 2025, it was announced that Armenia would submit an application to include the "Areni-1 Cave and Adjacent Wine Landscape" site in the Vayots Dzor region on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
To achieve this goal, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, the "Enotourism Council of Armenia" NGO, and the "Areni-1 Cave" Research Foundation.
It is worth noting that, according to Customs Service data, in 2024, Armenia reduced wine exports by 4.1% to 4.3 million liters. The customs value of exported wine decreased by 3.1% to $17.7 million. Armenian wine exports to France accounted for 1.2% of the total volume, or 84.2 thousand liters, which is 16% higher than the same period last year. Additionally, the customs value of wine exported to France increased by 13%, amounting to $481.3.
