Attractions of ArmeniaBest time to visitbefore going to Armenia, September. The harvest of grapes begins, a plant that is considered sacred here along with pomegranate and apricot. Grapes have been cultivated in Armenia since time immemorial. According to the Bible, during the flood, Noah moored the ark to Mount Ararat. Having descended into the valley, he planted grapes, made wine and got drunk. The most popular range of Armenian cognacs is called ArArAt. A contemporary of Rome The first point of my program was the archaeological museum at the foot of the Arin Berd hill. At the top of the hill are the remains of the ancient fortress of Eribuni, built around 782 BC - at the same time as Rome appeared. It is believed that the name Yerevan came from this fortress. On the ruins of the walls you can still see miraculously preserved paintings - images of the Urartian kings. From the top of the hill you can see Ararat and all of Yerevan. This is a very unique oriental city, built of tuff - a special volcanic rock of a pink hue. The evening was spent in the Phoenicia restaurant, which is located next to the Yerevan landmark Cascade - a structure of fountains and stairs leading up the mountain. "Phoenicia" is one of the most prestigious restaurants in the capital. Politicians and stars come here. And the mountains are higher The next day we went to the Noravank monastery complex, built in the 13th century on the ledge of a narrow winding gorge. This and other Armenian churches once impressed Vladimir Vysotsky, who traveled around Armenia with Marina Vlady. The great actor was a big fan of the Armenian cognac "Dvin". Winston Churchill also preferred this cognac. On the way to the city of Jermuk (a resort and sanatorium located at an altitude of 2100 meters above sea level) we stopped for lunch in a gorge, where a small cozy restaurant with simple food was located right in the grotto. The dishes are simple: matsun (a type of sour milk), dzor cheese, fresh lavash, and, of course, shashlik. Wherever you end up in Armenia, you will always be fed deliciously. Money on the barrel
Returning to Yerevan from Jermuk, we stopped inKhor Virap Monastery, built on the site of the imprisonment of Gregory the Illuminator, who baptized Armenia in the early 4th century. Around the monastery are the endless vineyards of the Ararat Valley. Armenian cognac is subsequently produced from the local grapes. This is preceded by a long process: squeezing the juice, distillation and aging in oak barrels. Cognac must be aged for more than three years. We had the opportunity to attend the laying of a barrel of thirty-year-old cognac "ArArAt" in a special storage facility, "Charles Aznavour Alley". Having laid "his" barrel, we agreed to meet again in Yerevan in about thirty years and taste the resulting «ArArAt». Stir, but do not shakeArmenian cognac is served for dessert with fruits and sweets. It is usually drunk neat, but it is great for making cocktails. Here are some recipes.Ararat «Side Car»
- Cognac "Ani" from the range "ArArAt" - 2013; 30 g
- Orange liqueur - 20 g
- Lemon juice.
Served in a cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon wedges.Ararat «After Love…»
- Cognac "Ani" from the range "ArArAt" - 40 g
- Soho liqueur (lychee) – 5 g
- 7UP or Sprite – 150 g
- Lime - 2 wedges squeezed into glass. Add ice.
Served in a tall glass. The cocktail was specially developed for the arrival of the singer Cher in Moscow. Ararat «5 Feelings»
- Cognac "Ani" from the range "ArArAt" - 40 g
- Blackcurrant liqueur - 30 g
- Cream (11%) - 30 g
- Grenadine – 5 g
Prepared in a shaker with ice. Served in cognac glass. Sprinkle with cinnamon and decorate the edges of the glass with chocolate chips.
5 places in Yerevan that must be seen
MatenadaranMuseum of ancient manuscripts of Armenia.Some of the most ancient books on earth are kept here. When you see the "Lazarus Gospel" (887), the "Echmiadzin Gospel" (989) or the "Mughni Gospel" (11th century), your heart aches.House-museum of director Sergei Parajanov The extravagant genius practically never lived in this house, but it houses a huge collection of his works - amazing crafts, each of which can be looked at for hours.Jazz club "Malkhas" The club was opened by a popular person in Armenia, Levon Malkhasyan - a pianist and passionate jazz lover. Jazz musicians perform here, including world stars, and after midnight Malkhas often sits down at the piano himself. Cafe "Poplavok" An important place of rest, which is located on the shore of the pond. In the evening, live music plays on the veranda. Dancing is not customary here, but an exception is always made for tourists from Russia (well fueled with cognac "ArArAt"). Restaurant "Dolmama" A cozy place with many small rooms, a very beautiful interior and an inner courtyard. President Vladimir Putin always drops in here during his visits to Armenia. As the name of the restaurant suggests, its signature dish is dolma, traditional Armenian cabbage rolls wrapped in grape leaves.
