MOLANA RED WINE DRY WINEMAKING IN EXILE ARMENIA 2021

In the Fall of 2021 Vahe Keushgerian, the winemaker behind such brands as Keush sparkling wines, Zulal and Oshin goes to Iran wanting to buy Iranian grapes to make wine. No wine has been made in Iran since 1979. Since it is illegal to make wine in Iran, Vahe had to bring the grapes to Armenia to make wine and he did just that.

This is the first modern wine that has been made using Iranian grapes since 1979. Made with 100% Rasheh grapes sourced from Sardasht region of Iran close to the Iraqi border and the Kurdish areas.

Using native yeast fermentation and followed by a 40-day maceration to preserve the uniqueness of the grape variety, this wine has become something indeed unique. Its taste profile is different. It has the cherry, the blackberry and the cassis, along with some herbs, but yet they taste different. It has spices, particularly black pepper and green pepper. It took a while to open up but once it did, the elegant fruit was evident. It is a medium bodied wine with a medium to long finish.

This wine pays tribute to the Persian poet Rumi who was known as Molana or “our teacher”.

A small amount of this wine was imported to the United States and we received out allocation. Enjoy this wine for what it is. It is a new and unique wine (I know I am using that word again) which is made well and we may or may not see it again!

As seen in the movie SOMM: CUP OF SALVATION