Isreal, Palestine, and Lebanon Flashcards
What historical events shaped Israel’s wine industry?
Noah and then Moses plant vines
70 CE- Romans sacked Jerusalem, dispersing the Jewish population and the regions viticultural knowledge
Mid 7th century - Arab Conquest, Islamic law
19th century - Bordeaux makes investments in Israel and brings vine cuttings.
What is the winery in Israel started by Baron Edmond de Rothschild (Château Lafite)?
Carmel
When was Golan Heights established?
1983
What makes a wine Kosher?
Once harvested grapes and wine are only to be handled by Sabbath-observing Jews.
Winemaking procedures cannot occur on the Sabbath, making automation an important tool.
All additives and fining agents, yeast, and cleaning materials, must be Kosher certified.
Forbid growing crops between vine rows
Waiting until the 4th harvest of a new vineyard to make wine
Ceremonial discarding of a percentage of each years wine in commemoration of tithing to the temple in Jerusalem
What practice does mevushal certification require?
A stringent Kosher certification that requires flash-pasteurization
What grape varieties are popular in Israel?
Red: Bordeaux varietals, Shiraz, and Carignan
White: Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc, Viognier
What is Emerald Riesling a cross of?
Riesling and Muscadelle
What are the wine regions of Isreal?
Galilee takes its name from the Sea of Galilee, which is actually a lake
-Golan Heights (at the border with Lebanon)
- Upper Galilee
- Lower Galilee (around mt.Tabor)
Shomron
- Mount Carmel
Samson
- Coastal Plain
- Judean lowlands
- Judean Foothills
Judean Hills Terra rossa and Limestone
- Jerusalem
- Yatir Forest
Negev
What area did the ancient civilisation of Phoenicia occupy? What are they credited with?
Modern day Lebanon, Northern Israel, and Southern Syria
Credited with inventing the commercial wine trade
Which god did the Romans errect a temple to in the Bekaa Valley?
Bacchus
What is Lebanons largest producer of wine? When were they established?
Château Ksara
1857
During the Lebanese Civil War which producer worked successfully to establish a foreign export market?
Chateau Musar - Serge Hochar
Where is the Bekaa valley? What is its Geography?
Central Lebanon
Mount Lebanon protects it from Mediterranean humidity, the Anti-Lebanon range shields it from the Syrian Desert’s heat, the Litani river extends the length of the valley
What international grapes are common in Lebanon?
Bordeaux and Rhône varieties
What indigenous grapes are commonly found in Lebanon?
Obaideh and Merweh (both white varietals)
