"Kurdamir" wine is a visiting card of Azerbaijan

"Kurdamir" wine has a rather mysterious history. No one knows the true origin of the name. But there are several versions. For example, "Cure", if translated from the Shivran dialect, will be close to the words of valiant, courageous or brave. And Damir was called the leader of the settlements. So it turns out something like a "brave leader" or "brave leader."

Kurdamir is a village that was part of the Baku province (Geokchansky district). On the Transcaucasian railway this settlement was marked as a trans-shipment station. Today it is a city and administrative center of the same-named region of Azerbaijan.

Few historical events

When the Caucasian army of followers of Islam attacked Baku, it was in this village that serious fights took place. In the eighteenth year of the twentieth century, in mid-June, the Baku armed forces captured Kurdamir, and the battle was fairly short. But by the middle of next month this settlement had passed under the control of the Turkish-Azerbaijani army.

About the wine

Azerbaijan wine "Kurdamir" belongs to the category of dessert. It is made from Shivran grape, this variety belongs to the exclusive, grown only in this Transcaucasian republic. The wine is only red, and the sugar content can be attributed to the liqueurs. Production of this alcoholic beverage began in 1927. It has a rich dark ruby color, the bouquet has pronounced fruit notes with a predominance of black currant.

The alcohol content, as in any dessert wine, is 16%. But sugar reaches 23 g per 100 cm ³ . The wine "Kurdamir" is made from berries, the sugar content of which is not less than 28%.

Production technology

Grapes are pressed, then the mash is separated, which is closed in vats and waiting for the fermentation process to begin. After this begins the process of alcohol. The mixture is brought to the required number of revolutions (16%). All thoroughly mixed, sealed and left to insist for a couple of months. Only after the completion of the procedure, the wine material is sent under the press. The wort after the first pressing is used for making Kurdamir.

But this is not the end. Alcoholic beverage must be aged for at least three years.

What kind of wine is still produced?

Of course, in this fertile region not only "Kurdamir" wine is produced. Azerbaijan is also famous for its sweet wine "Beni Carlo". This drink has a story. At one time the winemaker Dolganov was very famous in a certain circle. He traveled all over the south of Russia in order to find the grapes he needed. And he found it in Azerbaijan, in Kurdamir. He established the production of wine here and even created his own production technology.

This wine has a dark, dense color and a distinctive bouquet characteristic for this area. This wine combines two opposite qualities: it is tannic, but, at the same time, tender. Many people confuse this alcoholic beverage and the Kurdamir wine. Although in fact, the birthplace of Beni Carlo is Spain, and in this region just found a suitable grapes for the production of a similar wine.

Only in this territory grows suitable grapes for its production.

Is there a white "Kurdamir"?

Why is the wine "Kurdamir" sometimes considered white? Yes, because in the Geokchay district, mainly white grape varieties grow. They cling to tall trees and wrap them around them. From the grapes here they prepare not only wine, but also ordinary concentrated juices. But it is worth noting that wines from white varieties here are unpretentious, everyday. They do not possess either a special bouquet or a scent, and their acidity is rather low.

In Azerbaijan there is another grape region - Agdam. This is where white wines become much more interesting. Here the vine also "climbs" on the trees, but not so high. In this area, white grapes also predominate. Wines in the Aghdam region produce canteens most often. They have a pleasant freshness and an easy gentle fragrance.

But still it is worth noting that the most famous in Azerbaijan to this day is the wine "Kurdamir", which is awarded three gold and four silver medals.