Armen Ghazikhanian didn’t so much dive into the wine business as wander in with curiosity, a keen palate, and a spreadsheet in his back pocket. You’ll come away from this episode with more than just a newfound respect for Armenian wine; you’ll discover how a career in finance can lead to the art of curating bottles that carry centuries of culture and a whisper of volcanic terroir. Armen reveals how his passion-driven side gig, Cork and Bottle, was forged as much by personal connections and boots on the ground in remote Armenian villages as by business school savviness—only to discover that the wine industry plays by its own rules entirely. Along the way, you’ll learn about the surprising renaissance of Armenian winemaking after the Soviet era, why indigenous grape varieties like areni and voskehat are turning the heads of wine judges and sommeliers, and what happens when you take a risk importing unknown bottles to the US, hoping they don’t just satisfy your friends but spark conversation in wine shops and restaurants across California. Through anecdotes of smuggling bottles, weathering the red tape of international logistics, and winning unexpected gold at wine competitions, Armen shares what it means to balance romanticism and reality in the wine trade. Hosts and listeners alike will come away with a deeper appreciation for how wine isn’t just a drink, but a powerful carrier of memory, tradition, and entrepreneurial risk—all told with Armen’s self-effacing humor and Paul’s insider understanding of the business. And if you’ve ever wondered whether a grape from the South Caucasus can go toe-to-toe with a California cab, this episode might just send you to the nearest shop asking for a bottle of “Areni”—even if you’re not quite sure how to pronounce it.

 

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