Lebanon

Question 1

What civilization is credited with inventing the commercial wine trade?

Answer 1

Ancient Phoenicia

Question 2

What modern countries are within the boundaries of Ancient Phoenicia?

Answer 2

Lebanon, northern Israel, southern Syria

Question 3

When was Lebanon’s first modern winery founded?

Answer 3

1857
Chateau Ksara, founded by Jesuit Missionaries. Originally focused on sweet wines, not a commercial venture (though it is today).

Question 4

What is Lebanon’s largest producer?

Answer 4

Chateau Ksara

Also the first Lebanese winery, founded in 1857 by Jesuit Missionaries.

Question 5

What are the first four wineries of modern Lebanon?

Answer 5

Chateau Ksara
Domaine des Tourelles
Chateau Musar
Chateau Nakad

Question 6

What country has most influenced modern Lebanese winemaking?

Answer 6

France, via French Algeria, plus Lebanon was under French mandate between the World Wars until 1943

Question 7

When did Musar reach international recognition?

Answer 7

1979 Bristol Wine Fair. Serge Hochar had Michael Broadbent taste the wines, and he praised them.

Question 8

What and where are the mountains of Lebanon?

Answer 8

The Mount Lebanon Range on the Mediterranean coast/west side of the Bekaa Valley, and the Anti-Lebanon Range on the east side, forming the border w Syria.

Question 9

What is the elevation of the Bekaa Valley?

Answer 9

900-1,000 meters

Question 10

Where is Arak from and how is it made?

Answer 10

Lebanon.
Unsweetened grape based spirit, distilled two to four times in a Moorish copper still, with anise added before the final distillation. It is then aged in cloth covered amphorae.

Question 11

How is Arak typically served?

Answer 11

two parts water, one part Arak