Fwd: Waters Edge Wineries Introduces Armenian Wines To Urban Drinkers

Ani Kharatian
Forbes
Feb 15 2024

Waters Edge Wineries Introduces Armenian Wines To Urban Drinkers

Hudson Lindenberger

The next time you go out to eat at a nice restaurant, ask your server if they offer any Armenian wines. The odds are high that they won't even know what an Armenian wine is and even higher that it won't be on their wine list. Yet, it's just that mysteriousness that motivated one expanding winery concept to put a selection of Armenian wines at the forefront of a new initiative designed to drive sales and land new customers.

When Ken and Angela Lineberger, the founders of Waters Edge Wineries, rolled out their concept of an urban micro-winery franchise in 2004, they knew they were introducing the public to a different idea. By transplanting a winemaking facility into the heart of urban neighborhoods, they could make wine accessible, much like craft beer had done decades earlier with their brewpubs. Drinkers could meet with local winemakers on site and dive into different styles of wine.

These days, there are fifteen Waters Edge Wineries spread across the U.S. in locations as diverse as Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to Findlay, Ohio. Combining elements of a traditional winery experience with a popular wine bar bistro concept, they offer wines made on-site. Blended with juice sourced from well-known wine regions in the United States and internationally, consumers can imbibe popular wine styles on-site and purchase bottles for home.

Recognizing that consumer buying preferences had shifted coming out of the pandemic towards premium brands with authentic stories, Waters Edge decided in 2023 to lean into a new offering. They would bring in collections of wines from small family-owned producers across the globe that highlight both well-known regions and ones off the beaten path. While its debut was from an area wine lovers know well, Tuscany, Italy, its next offering of a selection of Armenian wines brings one of the world's oldest and least-known grape varieties to the heart of America.

"Part of what we offer our consumers is the story behind the wine; they get an up-close education of what it takes to make a great wine in our urban wineries. That's part of what makes us so different; we transport people to wine country," says Mark Mitzenmacher, director of operations for Waters Edge Wineries. "So, when we were introduced to the story of Armenian wines, we knew that it was something we wanted to promote to our consumers."

A mountainous country wedged between Turkey, Georgia, Iran, and Azerbaijan, Armenia has a long history with wine. Its first grapes are said to have been planted by Noah after his ark came to rest there, and the world's oldest wine-producing facility from 4000 BC is in the country. For most of its history, winemaking flourished in its rich volcanic soils. That vibrant wine culture waned during the Soviet era when the country was incorporated into the USSR, and production pivoted to Brandy.00:

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Following its independence in 1991, Armenian winemaking slowly regained its footing. In the last decade, it has just started to gain attention from the international wine community. Much like countries like South Africa, Argentina, and New Zealand, areas that were only somewhat recently "discovered" by drinkers, Armenian wine can surprise with each sip.

Waters Edge Wineries rolled out four Armenian wines across its locations: Areni/Sireni blend, Areni Reserve, and Voskehat. Areni, an ancient grape variety more than 6,000 years old with vines over 120 years old, is Armenia’s signature grape. A light to medium-bodied red wine reminiscent of Pinot Noir, it presents flavors of cherry, currants, black pepper, and cranberry. Sireni wines are deeply colored, full-bodied, and rich in flavors. Voskehat, known as 'golden berry,' is an indigenous variety akin to Chardonnay with vines that have endured for over 250 years.

For the first round of Armenian wines, the company brought in 16,000 bottles through a partnership with Storica Wines, a distributor dedicated to introducing them to the U.S. market. Priced between $40-60 per bottle, the wines allow Waters Edge to offer its customers a chance to try something exotic and different with a rich story behind it. It is a point of differentiation that the company hopes will help it drive traffic by bringing new consumers to its micro-wineries. Plans are to continue offering wines from the country for the next several years.

"Just being able to be part of introducing these wines to the United States is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's rare to find wines of this quality that are relatively unknown," says Mitzenmacher. “By introducing people to Armenian wines and their culture, we hope to help resurrect a region rich in winemaking history that deserves its place back on the world stage. So far, our customers love them and love hearing the story behind them."

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New South Wales Parliament Adopts Motion Calling For Armenian Genocide Education and Museum

Emil Lazarian
Feb 15 2024
SYDNEY: The New South Wales Legislative Council has debated and unanimously passed a motion calling on Australia's largest state's government to expand Holocaust education to include the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides and establish a Museum to create further awareness, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU).

The motion, presented to the Legislative Council in the last sitting week of 2023 by the Hon. Chris Rath MLC, was debated on Wednesday 7th February 2024.

Members from across the political aisle spoke on the historic motion, including Hon Daniel Mookhey MLC (ALP), Dr. Amanda Cohn MLC (GRNS), Hon Susan Carter MLC  (LIB), Hon Mark Buttigieg MLC (ALP), Hon. Jacqui Munro MLC (LIB), Hon. Anthony D’Adam MLC (ALP), and Hon. Stephen Lawrence MLC (ALP).

In particular, powerful statements were made in support of expanding genocide education to incorporate the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocide in the curriculum and establish a museum to create awareness about the genocide, by Rath, Munro, Cater and Buttigieg.

Rath, the youngest ever member of the NSW Legislative Council – appointed in March 2022 – said, “All of us as Australians—students and children—know a lot about the Holocaust, and rightly so. Many, many years later I learnt about the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocides. They are still not well known and not well taught, which is a very sad thing and exactly what the motion is about.”

ANC-AU Executive Director, Michael Kolokossian welcomed the historic undertaking by the NSW Upper House.

"The Armenian-Australian community thanks Mr. Rath and his colleagues in the Legislative Council for ensuring New South Wales continues to lead the way after being the first state legislature to recognise the Armenian Genocide and the Republic of Artsakh," Kolokossian said. "The teaching of the darkest chapter of Armenian history is the next step to ensuring we have a more vocal citizenry when future attempts to exterminate our race – as we witnessed with the recent ethnic cleansing of Artsakh – are attempted by criminal autocratic regimes."

President Radev: Bulgaria, Armenia Have Potential to Significantly Build on Bilateral Economic, Investment Cooperation

Arsine Chaltikian
BULGARIAN NEWS AGENCY

Feb 15 2024
YOANA VODENICHAROVA
SOFIA,  
15.02.2024 20:48
 (BTA)

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Armenian National Assembly President Alen Simonyan Thursday agreed that Bulgaria and Armenia have an excellent partnership, an active and constructive dialogue, and the potential to significantly build on bilateral economic and investment cooperation. The two held a meeting at the President's Office during  Simonyan's official visit to Bulgaria, the head of State's press service said.

During their talks, Radev highlighted Bulgaria's interest in further boosting trade and investment in Armenia and the importance of expanding transport, energy, and digital connectivity in the region. He stressed the importance of the Armenian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Economy, which provides additional tools for cooperation between the businesses of the two countries.

The sides also highlighted the centuries-old historical and cultural ties between Bulgarians and Armenians, which are a solid foundation for deepening cooperation in education through an increased exchange of students and researchers.

Radev pointed to the outstanding contribution of the large Armenian community in Bulgaria to the development of bilateral ties and its active participation in the social, economic, and cultural life in Bulgaria.

"Bulgaria will also continue to work to strengthen the European Union's partnership with Armenia," the President further noted. The sides also discussed topical issues related to the ways sought to achieve sustainable peace, security, and stability in the South Caucasus region.

/RY/

Armenpress: Armenian gymnasts Artur Avetisyan, Vahagn Davtyan enter World Cup finals

Andranik Taslakhchian

 09:45,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Two Armenian gymnasts have so far made it to the World Cup finals in Cairo, Egypt.

Artur Avetisyan entered the finals with 15,533 points in the Rings exercise. Vahagn Davtyan made it to the finals with an equal amount of points.

Gagik Khachikyan and Harutyun Merdinyan did not qualify for the finals in the Pommel Horse.

Artur Davtyan’s qualifying performance in the Vault is scheduled for February 16.

Bulgaria to work to strengthen EU’s partnership with Armenia – President Radev tells Speaker Simonyan

Toneyan Mark

 10:24,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan on February 15 in Sofia met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev.

During their meeting Speaker Simonyan and President Radev agreed that Armenia and Bulgaria have an excellent partnership, an active and constructive dialogue, and the potential to significantly build on bilateral economic and investment cooperation, BTA news agency reported citing President Radev’s office.

During their talks, Radev highlighted Bulgaria's interest in further boosting trade and investment in Armenia and the importance of expanding transport, energy, and digital connectivity in the region. He stressed the importance of the Armenian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Economy, which provides additional tools for cooperation between the businesses of the two countries.

The sides also highlighted the centuries-old historical and cultural ties between Bulgarians and Armenians, which are a solid foundation for deepening cooperation in education through an increased exchange of students and researchers.

Radev pointed to the outstanding contribution of the large Armenian community in Bulgaria to the development of bilateral ties and its active participation in the social, economic, and cultural life in Bulgaria.

"Bulgaria will also continue to work to strengthen the European Union's partnership with Armenia," the Bulgarian President further noted. The sides also discussed topical issues related to the ways sought to achieve sustainable peace, security, and stability in the South Caucasus region.

Russia has obtained a ‘troubling’ emerging anti-satellite weapon, the White House says

Tatoyan Vazgen

 10:32,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The White House publicly confirmed on Thursday that Russia has obtained a “troubling” emerging anti-satellite weapon but said it cannot directly cause “physical destruction” on Earth, AP reported citing the Biden administration’s national security spokesman.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said U.S. intelligence officials have information that Russia has obtained the capability but that such a weapon is not currently operational.

“First this is not an active capability that’s been deployed and though Russia’s pursuit of this particular capability is troubling, there is no immediate threat to anyone’s safety,” Kirby said. “We’re not talking about a weapon that can be used to attack human beings or cause physical destruction here on Earth.’’

The White House confirmed its intelligence after a vague warning Wednesday from the Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee, Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, who urged the Biden administration to declassify information about what he called a serious national security threat.

Kirby said that the process of reviewing and declassifying aspects of the Russian capability was underway when Turner “regrettably” released his statement.

“We have been very careful and deliberate about what we decide to declassify downgrade and share with the public,” he added.

Russia has downplayed the U.S. concern about the capability.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the claims about a new Russian military capability as a ruse intended to make the U.S. Congress support aid for Ukraine.

“It’s obvious that Washington is trying to force Congress to vote on the aid bill by hook or by crook,” Peskov said in remarks carried by Russian news agencies. “Let’s see what ruse the White House will use.”

Kirby said the capability is space based and would violate the international Outer Space Treaty, which more than 130 countries have signed onto, including Russia.

‘International community must acknowledge Azerbaijan’s lack of legitimacy for military aggression,’ Armenian official

Emil Lazarian

 11:52,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. The international community must acknowledge Azerbaijan's lack of legitimacy for military aggression and demand the withdrawal of its troops from occupied territories of Armenia, Ambassador-at-large Edmon Marukyan has said.

“I am often asked whether Azerbaijan will attack Armenia again,” Marukyan said in a post on X. “My answer is that Azerbaijan lacks any legitimate grounds for attacking Armenia. All actions since 2021 constitute aggression and are deemed crimes under international criminal law. Azerbaijan's occupation of Armenian territories remains unpunished. The international community must acknowledge Azerbaijan's lack of legitimacy for military aggression and demand the withdrawal of its troops from occupied territories, urging a return to negotiations.”

Armenpress and Israeli TPS to launch news exchange

Emil Lazarian

 13:25,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Armenpress News Agency on February 15 signed a memorandum of understanding with Israel’s Tazpit Press Service (TPS) news agency on exchange of English-language news and video content.

Armenpress Director Narine Nazaryan highlighted the MoU especially in terms of swift exchange of verified news amid constant, active developments taking place around the world.

“The latest developments once again proved how important information security has become,” Nazaryan said. In this context, the document we’ve signed with our new Israeli colleague will allow us to activate the swift exchange of verified and reliable news between the two countries. We hope that this memorandum of understanding will be the first step on our path of effective and lasting cooperation with Tazpit Press Service.”

Tazpit Press Service (TPS) is an international Israeli news agency that provides in real time, accurate and reliable news on Israel and the Middle East. Established in 2010, the agency cooperates with leading news agencies of Spain, Bulgaria, Romania, North Macedonia, Albania, Kazakhstan, the Philippines and other countries.

Armenpress State News Agency, founded in 1918, is the only Armenian media outlet to have news exchange agreements with news agencies of 30 countries, including Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Latvia, Lithuania, Argentina, Cuba, Russia, Georgia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, South Korea, China, Vietnam and Iran.

Aside from Armenian, the news content of Armenpress is also available in nine languages: Russian, English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Turkish, Georgian, Persian and Chinese.

Armenpress covers domestic and international events with its local team of journalists, as well as foreign correspondents stationed in the world’s leading centers.




Pan-Turkism and Islamism Drive Azerbaijani and Turkish Aggression against Armenians

Markos Nalchajian
Feb 14 2024

by Uzay Bulut
Middle East Forum Observer

On February 13, 2024, less than a month after both Turkey and Azerbaijan threatened Armenia with renewed war, Azerbaijan killed four Armenian soldiers in Armenia's Syunik province. It was not an isolated incident. With Turkish backing, Azerbaijan attacked southern Armenia in September 2022 and has since occupied several dozen square miles of Armenian territory. Between 2020 and 2023, Azerbaijan also conducted an ethnic cleansing campaign in Nagorno-Karabakh to drive out the indigenous Armenian Christian population. While both Turkey and Azerbaijan have long cited the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute to explain their hostility to and rejection of Armenia, Azerbaijan's capture of the entire territory has not brought peace. Rather, in the months since, Azerbaijan's probing attacks on Armenia's frontier have continued.

What then motivates Azerbaijan and Turkey's hostility toward and rejection of Armenia?

Their efforts are doomed to fail, however, because they ignore the two ideologies driving the conflict: Pan-Turkism and Islamism.

While National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken negotiate with their Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts to win peace between the two former Soviet republics, they focus on supposed grievances: Resolving Armenia's requests for the return of prisoners of war, addressing increasingly fanciful Azerbaijani territorial claims, or encouraging economic and trade integration. Their efforts are doomed to fail, however, because they ignore the two ideologies driving the conflict: Pan-Turkism and Islamism.

Pan-Turkism (or pan-Turanism) promotes the superiority of a supposed Turkish race and seeks to unite Turks from the Balkans across Turkey and Central Asia to portions of China and Siberia. In 2021, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan enthusiastically received a map of "Grand Turan" from coalition partner Devlet Bahçeli, leader of Turkey's National Movement Party (MHP). The Azerbaijani leadership, meanwhile, embraces the same ideology. Heydar Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan from 1993 to 2003, often described the relationship between Turkey and Azerbaijan "as one nation, two states," a mantra his son and successor Ilham also embraces.

For both Erdoğan and Aliyev, Armenia's independence is the main impediment to realization of Greater Turan for a simple reason: Armenia blocks Turkic territorial continuity. This is the main reason why Azerbaijan rejects any recognition of Armenia despite the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute in Azerbaijan's favor. Increasingly, both Aliyev and Azerbaijan's media refer to Armenia as "western Azerbaijan," indicating a rejection of its very legitimacy.

Erdoğan's Islamism imbues pan-Turanism as religious mandate. During Azerbaijan's 2020 war on Armenians, Erdoğan declared, "We support Azerbaijan until victory … I tell my Azerbaijani brothers: May your ghazwa be blessed." His reference to ghazwa refers to battles in which Muslims engaged non-Muslims to expand Muslim territory. Azerbaijan's systematic destruction of Armenia's religious heritage further demonstrates this aspect, as do Islamic State-like beheadings and mutilations of Armenian prisoners by Azerbaijani soldiers. Often, Aliyev rewards such atrocities, as when he personally awarded the Azerbaijani officer who beheaded a captured Yezidi in 2016. Turkey also transported Syrian and Libyan Islamic State veterans from the Islamic State to supplement Azerbaijani forces during the Nagorno-Karabakh War. What the United States sees as a land and legal dispute, Ankara and Baku see as jihad.

Against this backdrop, it is imperative that neither the United States nor Europe view the death of four Armenian soldiers yesterday on Armenian soil as an accident to overlook as Washington seeks a broader peace deal.

For too long, wishful thinking hampered U.S. policy toward Turkey. Successive administrations and a generation of diplomats saw in Erdoğan what they wished he would be rather than what he was: a populist and Islamist who prioritized his Muslim Brotherhood exegesis and personal wealth above the constitution and the welfare of the Turkish people. Today, the same pattern repeats with Aliyev, who presents himself as a secularist but, behind-the-scenes, pursues an irredentist and Islamist agenda in concert with Erdoğan.

The two countries today act in concert against Armenia. Both blockade Armenia. Neither has diplomatic relations, and both deny its legitimacy and historical legacy as the first Christian country. The Turkish Army continues to train and often command its Azerbaijani counterpart.

Against this backdrop, it is imperative that neither the United States nor Europe view the death of four Armenian soldiers yesterday on Armenian soil as an accident to overlook as Washington seeks a broader peace deal. Rather, they are a sign Erdoğan and Aliyev will never sacrifice their core ideology nor honor any piece of paper in which naïve Western officials demand they affix their signatures.

Uzay Bulut is a Turkish journalist formerly based in Ankara.