Armenia

Thanks to my work in the wine industry, I was invited to visit Armenia this month, to coincide with the UN Wine Tourism Conference in Yerevan. It was an opportunity I didn't want to miss, and I am delighted I was able to attend.

Armenia is a fascinating country, with a rich wine history (grapes and winemaking began in this part of the world) and a unique culture with its own language, alphabet (36 letters!) and traditions.

Known as the first Christian country, Armenia adopted Christianity some 1700 years ago, and its Apostolic Church still thrives today, despite spending most of those centuries under attack from its neighboring lands: Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Russia, and Azerbaijan. It hasn't been easy, and the Armenia diaspora counts millions of people around the world.

I loved the whole experience, from visiting ancient monasteries and modern wineries, to tracking down spectacular carpets and memorable meals. Yes, I would go back in a heartbeat.

And I can't leave out the fact that the national symbol of Armenia is a mountain--Mt. Ararat-- where Noah beached the ark after the great flood. True, the mountain itself is now across the border in Turkey, but it was clearly visible from my hotel room in Yerevan...