NOA Areni 2019 — Vayots Dzo

Region: Vayots Dzor, Armenia

Grape: Areni Noir

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Medium ruby with garnet edges.

• Nose: Bright red cherry and dried cranberry with a backdrop of wild herbs, dried rose petal, and a hint of smoked earth.

• Palate: Medium-bodied with lively acidity. Flavors of tart red cherry, pomegranate, and sour plum are framed by fine-grained tannins and a subtle mineral streak. A light spice note—white pepper and a touch of clove—emerges on the finish.

• Finish: Clean, moderately long, with a pleasant herbal-mineral echo.

Food Pairing:

• Charcuterie: Cured meats like coppa or prosciutto and aged sheep’s cheese.

• Mains: Roasted lamb, grilled game birds, or mushroom-stuffed dishes.

• Vegetarian: Roasted root vegetables, lentil stews, or eggplant with tomato and herbs.

• Cheese: Tangy chèvre, Manchego, or a semi-firm alpine-style cheese.

Serving & Cellaring

• Serving Temperature: 60–64°F

• Decanting: 20–30 minutes recommended to open aromatics.