Red Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cinsault, Mouvedre, Syrah
Lebanese Wine Regions
Lebanon is a very small country in the context of winemaking, producing around seven million bottles a year. To put this into context, Bordeaux alone produces 900 million! That said, Lebanese wine has a growing and deserved reputation for quality, particularly red varieties of a similar style to the aforementioned French powerhouse of Bordeaux.
Lebanon’s wine heritage is surprisingly impressive, with cautiously confident claims that the country had created its own wine culture as far back as 7000 BC, which would take some beating! What we do know for certain is that Phoenician merchants traded here for three thousand years from around 3000 BC, making it one of, if not the first country to be at the epicenter of ancient wine trade.
In modern times, Lebanon has certainly benefited from French influence during a near 30 year period of French administration in between the First and Second World Wars. This created previously unprecedented demand for wine which has showed no signs of slowing. Today, you will find fantastic Cabernet Sauvignon, the finest of which produced by world famous Château Musar, as well as red varieties of Cinsault, Carignan and Syrah. Whites and rosé are lesser known here, with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier the most common.
Learn About the History, Grape Varieties, Climate and Wines of Each Lebanese Wine Region Below:
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The North
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Bekaa Valley
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Mount Lebanon
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The North
Shop Lebanese WineAn Introduction to The North
Some of the highest vineyards in Northern Hemisphere are located here. One of the most well-known producers, IXSIR Winery, which is Arabic for elixir, has vineyards at an altitude of a whopping 1,800 metres above sea level. The winery itself is a beauty to behold and has won multiple awards for design and architecture. Wineries in and around the Batroun Mountains also exist here, some producing whites, rosé and even sparkling wines as well as reds. Cabernet Sauvignon is again the most consistently planted grape and forms the base varietal for most blends.
Climate and Geography
Soils here are consistent with the rest of Lebanon and are largely stony with clay consistency. High altitudes mean vineyards benefit from exposure to sunlight and protection, in part, to coastal winds. Proximity to the Mediterranean provides much welcomed cooling effects, particularly during hot summer periods, helping grapes to develop rich flavours typical of Lebanese wines.
White Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Muscat
Climate
Moderate, mediterranean
Landscape
High altitude
Soil
Limestone, gravel, clay
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Bekaa Valley
Shop Lebanese WineAn Introduction to Bekaa Valley
The vast majority of Lebanese winemaking occurs in the southern and western parts of the far stretching Bekaa Valley. This is where many of the country’s famous winemakers, including Château Musar and Château Ksara, are based. Wines here, along with most of Lebanon, have a heavy French influence. Red wines produced are typically stylised Bordeaux blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Carignan and Syrah. Whites on the other hand are mostly floral and fragrant in style, with Sauvignon Blanc often the centrepiece.
Climate and Geography
The wine region enjoys dry summers, cool nights and consistent rainfall which ensures that grapes planted here rarely ripen before September, allowing great depth of flavour and intensity. At an altitude of 1000m above sea level, the Bekaa also benefits from mountainous landscapes, both exposing and protecting vineyards to climatic conditions. The vast majority of vineyard work is done by hand, whilst production methods vary from very traditional to very modern, or a blend of both.
Red Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan
White Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier
Climate
Moderate, mediterranean
Landscape
High altitude
Soil
Limestone, chalk, clay
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Mount Lebanon
Shop Lebanese WineAn Introduction to Mount Lebanon
Mount Lebanon is the region which is home to the country’s Capitol, Beirut. Often considered the Paris of the Middle East, Beirut is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines, resulting in a very exciting food and drink culture in which many of the country’s wines can be enjoyed. Whilst production here is nowhere near the scale of the Bekaa Valley, there are a few producers making a name for themselves, including Château Cana and Château Belle-Bue. As the names suggest, French influence here is prominent, as is the flagship Lebanese variety, Cabernet Sauvignon. Classic Bordeaux blends using Merlot and Cabernet Franc are staple features.
Climate and Geography
The climate here varies slightly more, due to it being slightly closer to the Mediterranean and less mountainous. Winters are mild but wet, whilst spring and summer are both warm and largely dry. As with nearly all of Lebanon, soils are primarily stone or gravel.
Red Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah
White Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier
Climate
Moderate, mediterranean
Landscape
High altitude
Soil
Limestone, gravel, clay
