Azerbaijani wine
Azerbaijani wine is produced in several regions throughout Azerbaijan. Before 20th century communist rule, the region which makes up modern-day Azerbaijan had produced wine since the second millennium BC. The territory of modern-day Azerbaijan has a long history of wine production, that was rediscovered at archaeological digs of settlements in Kültəpə, Qarabağlar
| Wine region | |
| Country | Azerbaijan |
|---|---|
| Sub-regions | Kur-Araz Lowland Caucasus Mountains |
| Growing season | Cold dry, rainy or snowy winters Warm, dry, sunny summers |
| Climate region | Continental |
| Heat units | Region III, IV, V |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 250mm-600 mm |
| Total area | 86,600 km2 (33,000 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 6,062 km2 (2,000 sq mi) Ranked 6th |
| Varietals produced | Vitis vinifera, Pinot noir, Rkatsiteli, Pinot blanc, Aligoté, Madrasa |
| Wine produced | 7,200 tons (2007) |
Since the fall of Communism and the restoration of Azerbaijani independence, ardent attempts have been made to revive and modernize the Azerbaijani wine industry. Today, vineyards are found in the foothills of Caucasus Mountains as well and the Kur-Araz lowlands near the Kura River. In the 21st century, Ganja, Nakhchivan, and the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh controlled by the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh have emerged as centers of wine production in the region. Among the grape varieties used to produce Azerbaijani wine include Pinot noir, Rkatsiteli, Pinot blanc, Aligote and Matrassa. Local grape varieties indigenous to Azerbaijan and neighbouring regions include White Shani, Bayanshire and Madrasa.