Whilst the war in Syria is not far away and there are many refugees in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanese wine production continues unabated. Lebanon is the most beautiful country and, on a relatively recent visit, we criss-crossed the main mountain range four times passing through ski resorts and hillsides of cedars trees, their tresses flattened by countless snowfalls. Panoramic views stretched down towards Israel with Syria only blocked out by another range of mountains, neatly capped by snow. Lying in between is the Bekaa Valley – a massive expanse of fertile land with vines growing on its western slopes. The Lebanese argue that this is the ‘cradle of winemaking’, where the Romans built the Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek, and whence Phoenician traders took vines to Spain.
Château Musar, Bekaa Valley, Gaston Hochar 1998Cabernet Sauvignon 13.5% Vol
