Pashinyan sees the need to reconsider the use of the terms “cognac” and “champagne”
03.09.2026,
12:21
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated the need to reconsider the use of the terms “cognac” and “champagne”.
YEREVAN, September 3. /ARKA/. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated the need to reconsider the use of the terms “cognac” and “champagne”.
“Given our discussions recently, it is already necessary to use the word “cognac” in relation to the French drink, at least at government meetings. Because we constantly talk about this: “cognac”, “champagne” - we need to start reconsidering all this,” he noted at a government meeting on Thursday.
Previously, Pashinyan said that cognac or champagne cannot be produced in Armenia, just as Jermuk mineral water cannot be produced in the city of Dilijan. He explained this by the fact that Armenian companies do not have the right to use the geographical names “Cognac” or “Champagne”. According to him, representatives of reputable international companies complained to him about the falsification of their alcoholic products in Armenia.
In 2023, the Ministry of Economy of Armenia reported that, together with partners from the EU, a brand and geographical name had been agreed upon - Armenian brandy, which would replace the concept of “Armenian cognac”. To implement the rebranding process, the EU announced the allocation of 2.9 million euros to Armenia.
“Given our discussions recently, it is already necessary to use the word “cognac” in relation to the French drink, at least at government meetings. Because we constantly talk about this: “cognac”, “champagne” - we need to start reconsidering all this,” he noted at a government meeting on Thursday.
Previously, Pashinyan said that cognac or champagne cannot be produced in Armenia, just as Jermuk mineral water cannot be produced in the city of Dilijan. He explained this by the fact that Armenian companies do not have the right to use the geographical names “Cognac” or “Champagne”. According to him, representatives of reputable international companies complained to him about the falsification of their alcoholic products in Armenia.
In 2023, the Ministry of Economy of Armenia reported that, together with partners from the EU, a brand and geographical name had been agreed upon - Armenian brandy, which would replace the concept of “Armenian cognac”. To implement the rebranding process, the EU announced the allocation of 2.9 million euros to Armenia.
