Over the past 5 years, stable decrease of vodka production and increase of wine production has been observed, according to the head of Armenian Winemakers’ Union Avag Harutyunyan.

During the November 12 news conference, he indicated 30% and 20% increase in wine and Armenian brandy production in January-September 2010. Vodka production was reduced by 20%.

“Armenian nation is trying to go back to consuming the traditional wine. Vodka is a politically loaded beverage, which helped solve global issues in the history of Russia and USSR. Wine, on the other hand, is a culture, so the upsurge noted spells peoples’ attempts to return to their sources,” Harutyunyan said.

Harutyunyan named gradual growth of high-quality Russian vodka’s market share in Armenia as another reason for local vodka production decrease.