ArmAs Karmrahyut, Armenia 2015

Armenia, which sits just east of Turkey among the Caucasian mountains is, along with its neighbours, among the oldest wine producing countries in the world. Karmrahyut is one of their native varieties, of which they're justifiably proud, and it produces deeply coloured wines with plenty of body and flavour. Here it's been made in an unoaked style to highlight its ripe red fruit character and with a generous time spent on its lees during maturation contributing to the creamy texture. On the nose it has quite intense red fruit aromas accompanied by a touch of spice while on the palate it's quite powerful with an excellent balance between firm tannins and crisp minerality. On the lingering finish it rounds off with a touch of honey and herbiness.

Something from off the beaten track that's well worth seeking out; it'll go well with grilled, or roasted lamb, spicy stews, or mature cheeses.

Armenia in Transcaucasia is one of the oldest winemaking areas in the world, with a history dating back to ancient times. After emerging from the Soviet era in the 1990s, the stage was set for the revival of independent wine production. By around 2005, new and old vineyards began to sprout up again, and slowly but surely, Armenia's wine industry started to make a comeback. ArmAs is one such producer and was established in 2007 by Armen Aslanyan who set about re-planting former vineyards in the shadow of Mount Ararat, at altitudes of between 700 and 1,900 metres. The estate covers an area of 180 hectares and is given over to indigenous varieties where Italian winemaker Emilio Del Medico successfully produces a distinctively Armenian style with no small degree of success.