Two-peaked, extinct volcano (Agri Dagh in Turkish, Masis in Armenian) in the Anatolian plateau in the far east of Turkey on the border with Armenia and Iran. At 5,165 metres, the main peak (Greater Ararat) is the highest mountain in Turkey (Lesser Ararat 3,925 metres). The region belongs to Transcaucasia (south of the Caucasus) and borders the northern part of the Near Eastern landscape of Mesopotamia. These areas are considered the cradle of wine culture. According to the latest research, the origin of the cultivated grapevine could also lie in south-east Anatolia (arrow).

According to the story in the Old Testament of the Bible in the book of Genesis 9.21, Noah landed with his ark near Mount Ararat at the end of the rain flood. After leaving the animals on land, he observed a goat eating grapes, planted vines and thus became a winegrower. Incidentally, this story led to the custom, still practised today, of carrying the grapevine goat at the harvest festival.
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Sigi Hiss
freier Autor und Weinberater (Fine, Vinum u.a.), Bad Krozingen