The Republic of Tajikistan (Tajik Тоҷикистон Todschikiston) in Central Asia with its capital Dushanbe covers 143,100 km². The former USSR state became independent in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It borders Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north and China to the east.
History
There is evidence of viticulture in this country as early as the 4th century BC, when it was part of the empire of Alexander the Great. In the 8th century, Islam reached the region, which led to a change in the grape varieties due to the associated ban on alcohol. Table grapes and sultana grapes were now favoured. During the Middle Ages, Tajikistan belonged to the Persian Empire. In 1868, Tajikistan became a colony of Russia. During the USSR era in the 1920s, the small estates were merged into large collective farms and large-scale wine production was started. Wineries were built in the cities of Khujand (Leninabod), Punjakent and Qurghonteppa (Kurgan-Tyube).
Viticulture today
Tajikistan is divided into three wine-growing zones: Khujand in the north, the Gissar Valley in the centre and the Vakhsh Valley in the south. The climate is continental with cold winters and hot summers. For the most part, artificial irrigation and winter protection for the vines are required. The international varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Muscat Blanc, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc as well as the indigenous varieties Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Bayanshira and Tagobi are cultivated. High-alcohol sweet wines are a speciality of the country. In 2021, the vineyards covered 35,603 hectares, of which only a small amount of 2,000 hectolitres of wine were produced.
Map of the country: © Goruma
Flag: Origin unknown, Public domain, Link
Coat of arms: Public domain, Link
