French winemakers interested in endemic Armenian grape varieties

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.