On December 18, 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 CARD.

"The testing event allows manufacturers to present and promote their produce; vendors and consumers are given a chance to discover new products," US Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch stated at the opening ceremony.

This year, 11 cheese producers and 7 producers presented 20 varieties of local cheese and 22 types of Armenian wines. New products were presented for testing, among them: Gouda cheeses from three organizations, sheep feta cheese and apricot wine. The event concluded with the serving of sweet wine, Armenian chocolate and cheese cakes.

The Center for Agribusiness and Rural Development (CARD) assists farmers and agribusiness in the production and marketing of food and related products to increase incomes and create jobs leading to sustainable live hoods for rural population. Beginning on-farm, CARD transforms low profit commodities into profitable, high value added products.