On December 2, the Center for Agribusiness and Rural Development (CARD) and the U.S. Embassy held their annual Wine and Cheese Tasting. Each year, this event allows retailers, restaurant owners, local vendors, and members of the international community to sample wine and cheese produced by Armenian producers supported by USDA/CARD. As informs U.S. Embassy, this year, 10 cheese producers and 8 wine producers presented 14 varieties of local cheeses and 25 types of Armenian wines. A variety of cheeses were presented for tasting, among them: Ricotta, Gouda, Cheese khinkali, Blue cheese, Tommy (goat cheese) and Feta type sheep cheese. The event concluded with the serving of sweet wine and Armenian chocolates. Currently CARD is collaborating with more than 36 dairies and 12 wineries in Armenia. Participants enjoyed dessert wines with Arcolad chocolates, a local boutique producer who uses different type of Armenian dried fruits to produce unique products for local and export markets. The Center for Agribusiness and Rural Development /CARD/ through USDA support assists farmers and agribusiness in the production and marketing of food and related products to increase incomes and create jobs leading to sustainable livelihoods for rural population. Beginning on-farm, CARD transforms low profit commodities into profitable, high value added products.

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