Discover Lebanon Tastings

Discover Lebanon

A series of Tastings

Manchester

21 November 2011, 11.30am & 1.30pm

Malmaison Manchester, 1-3 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1LZ

Discover Lebanon Masterclass: Tim Atkin MW & Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam will host a Masterclass showcasing the different styles, grape varieties and terroirs, with a look at Lebanon’s rich winemaking history - from 5000BC to the present day.

Bristol

22 November 2011, 11.30am & 1.30pm

Hotel du Vin Bristol, The Sugar House, Narrow Lewins Mead, Bristol BS2 2NU

Discover Lebanon Masterclass: Food and wine matching specialist and Guardian wine columnist Fiona Beckett will join Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam for a Masterclass showcasing the different styles, grape varieties and terroirs, with a look at Lebanon’s rich winemaking history - from 5000BC to the present day.

RSVP Essential

Places for masterclasses are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. 

RSVP:

Madeleine Waters
E: madeleine@cocopr.co.uk (preferred) T: 01225 835544

winesfromlebanon.co.uk 

London

Wednesday 23 November 2011, 12-2pm

at L’atelier des Chefs, 9 Wigmore Street W1U 1PH London

• Discover some of the flavours of Lebanon with food writer & blogger Bethany Kehdy who will be demonstrating some Lebanese recipes 
• Learn more about the history of winemaking in Lebanon from 5000BC to the present day with Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam
• Meet the producers and taste their wines

RSVP:

Madeleine Waters
E: madeleine@cocopr.co.uk (preferred) T: 01225 835544

winesfromlebanon.co.uk 

Lebanon hits the road!

Save the date for some exciting events next month:

Monday 21 November - Malmaison, Manchester

• A chance to discover Lebanese wines with a tasting for trade and press
• Lebanese Wines Masterclass: Join Tim Atkin MW and Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam to discover even more about Lebanon, its wines and its long history of winemaking

Tuesday 22 November - Hotel du Vin, Bristol

• A chance to discover Lebanese wines with a tasting for trade and press
• Lebanese Wines Masterclass: Join Guardian wine columnist Fiona Beckett and Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam to discover even more about Lebanon, its wines and its long history of winemaking

  Please email to register your interest.  Invitations will be mailed next week.

Pride Awards

We are very excited to have been nominated for a CIPR Pride Award.

The CIPR says:
"Recognising excellence and rewarding achievement in public relations and communications – PRoof of your success in the PR industry.

The CIPR PRide Awards recognise excellence in PR and communications across the UK. These awards grow year-on-year as consultancies and organisations increasingly recognise the benefits of industry awards, and past winners continue to reap the benefits of receiving one."

The Wines of Lebanon campaign has been nominated in the Corporate & Business Communications category of the West of England area.  The Awards Dinner is on 21 October when we find out whether we have won or not....

Guest Post from Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam

Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam has kindly agreed to provide a guest post on Lebanese reds here.  Michael has written two books: Wines of Lebanon and Michael Karam's Guide to Lebanese Wines 2011.  The full article can be read on his blog.

Big Lebanese reds

I was recently asked byExecutive magazine http://www.executive-magazine.com/ to provide a list of my dozen favorite full-bodied Lebanese reds.

For those who missed it, here they are.

Comte de M 2007

This behemoth of a wine is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It has a deep cherry hue with aromas of black pepper and thyme on the nose. In the mouth there it has a wonderfully elegant structure and a smooth finish. One of Lebanon’s most famous reds, and deservedly so.  The first Lebanese wine to be championed by US guru critic Robert Parker who was wowed by the ’96.

Château Ksara

Le Souverain 2006

Initially made to celebrate the winery’s 150^th birthday, it has stayed on by popular demand. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and the little-known Arinarnoa, it has a deep cherry hue with bell pepper and hints of figs on the nose. The Arinarnoa gives wonderful flavors of cassis and cured meats. Texture is silky, while the finish is dry and powerful.  

Château Musar 2003

A celebrated label made from Cinsault, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. All vintages are aged for seven years before release. The 2003 has a deep garnet hue and aromas of oranges and cinnamon with hints of berry fruits. In the mouth, there is a heady combination of peppers and fruits with hints of chocolate.

Château St Thomas

2006

A gentle giant made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. It has an intense dark cherry hue. Nose of strawberries and cinnamon. Texture is soft and warm and the tannins are integrated to give a wonderfully balanced drinking experience. Older vintages age wonderfully.

Domaine des Tourelles

Syrah du Liban 2006

Possessing a deep cherry hue. Nose is peppery with eucalyptus and roast coffee beans. Possessing a robust texture with nicely integrated tannins, there a lot of fruit on the middle palate and the finish is powerful and sustained. Good aging potential but drinking now. Syrah du Liban won many admirers at the recent London International Wine and Spirits Fair.

Domaine Wardy

Private Selection 2004

This elegant and suave wine is made with Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a dark ruby hue and an intensely smoky nose. Balanced in the mouth with a fruity finish. Good aging potential with well-integrated soft and velvety tannins.

Ixsir

Grande Reserve 2008

Ixsir is based in Batroun but has vineyards across Lebanon. Its top red is made with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a deep purple hue and a menthol nose with hints of black pepper. Forest fruits on the mouth herald a sustained finish to bring out the spices.

Karam Winery

St John 2004

South Lebanon’s only producer (and no relation to moi). This gloriously playful red is made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. It has a black cherry hue with a nose of chocolate, peppers and other spices. In the mouth, the tannins have developed well and in no way obscure the abundance of fruits that dance around the mouth. The finish is sustained and memorable.

Note: These wines are not for what people like to call easy drinking. They can be drunk now but most won’t have reached their best for at least seven to ten years after vintage, assuming, they are allowed to age properly. They should also be decanted at least three hours before serving.

This post originally appeared on Michael's blog

Lebanese wine masterclass

We've uploaded clips from the recent London Wine Fair, where we held a Discover Lebanon Masterclass, on our You Tube Channel which you can see here http://www.youtube.com/user/WinesofLebanon

There is a clip of each of the 8 wines presented by Tim Atkin MW, as well as an overview of the history of wine production by Michael Karam:

"Lebanon's on the verge of something..."

... says Adam Lechmere after meeting producers at the London Wine Fair last week..

Read what he thinks about Lebanese wines on his blog.

It's been great to read feedback from the Fair.  A number of other bloggers have posted their thoughts on the wines they tasted at our stand.  Phil Innes from Sloshbox's views are here and Early Bird Wine News reported that their post on Lebanese wines received the most page views ever!  And Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam's thoughts on the Fair are here.

Exciting times...

Fun at the Fair

Phew it's been a busy week for Lebanese wineries! 

Eight came together for the first ever Wines of Lebanon stand at the London Wine Fair last week and there was a huge amount of interest.  We also had a Masterclass with Tim Atkin and Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam which was oversubscribed and had people queueing round the block to join!

But it wasn't all work work work.  On Wednesday evening we boarded a coach at Excel, bound for the other side of town to have a fabulous meal at Stevie Parle's Dock Kitchen, armed with bottles of Lebanese wine to match the menu of Labneh, followed by Salt Marsh Lamb Chops and Freekeh. Described by Decanter.com as 'raucous', it was a great fun night in true Lebanese style.

Discover the wines of Lebanon at the London Wine Fair

Wines of Lebanon is hosting a masterclass on Tuesday 17th May at 1.45pm at the 2011 London Wine Fair.  

Take a tour of Lebanon during this tutored tasting with Tim Atkin MW and Lebanese wine expert, Michael Karam.

Tim will pick his top wines from eight different wineries in a tutored tasting showcasing the different styles, grape varieties and terroirs within this small country.  Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam will explain Lebanon’s rich winemaking history – from 5000BC to the present day  - showing how centuries of tradition have been harnessed with modern winemaking techniques to create what is arguably Lebanon’s greatest export.

Tim Atkin MW comments: “Lebanon is one of the wine world's great secrets. I'm delighted to have the chance to talk about some of my favourites after an inspiring trip to the country, where I was captivated by the people, the architecture, the landscape and of course the best wines.”

Michael Karam is a Beirut-based author and journalist.  He has published two books on Lebanese wine: Wines of Lebanon (Saqi Books, 2005) and Michael Karam’s Lebanese Wines 2011: A comprehensive guide (Vinehouse Media, 2010).

For further information please contact madeleine@cocopr.co.uk.

Wines of Lebanon at 2011 London Wine Fair

Wines of Lebanon will be exhibiting for the first time at the 2011 London Wine Fair with a generic presence, as part of the first ever campaign to promote Lebanese wines which started last year. 

The stand will see eight wineries coming together to exhibit under the Wines of Lebanon banner at the Fair, with a masterclass hosted by Tim Atkin MW and Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam which will allow visitors to Discover Lebanon.

Tim Atkin comments: “Lebanon is one of the wine world's great secrets. I'm delighted to have the chance to talk about some of my favourites after an inspiring trip to the country, where I was captivated by the people, the architecture, the landscape and of course the best wines.”

The eight wineries exhibiting at the show are:

·         Chateau Ka

·         Chateau Ksara

·         Chateau St Thomas

·         Coteaux du Liban

·         Domaine des Tourelles

·         Domaine Wardy

·         IXSIR

·         Karam Winery

For information about the Masterclass pease contact: Madeleine Waters madeleine@cocopr.co.uk

 -ends-

Notes to editors:

Michael Karam is author of Lebanese Wines 2011: A comprehensive Guide and The Wines of Lebanon

Further information:

madeleine@cocopr.co.uk       01225 83344 / 07778 702221

Vines on the Frontline

Today's Radio 4 Programme by Jeremy Bowen, called Vines on the Frontline, gave a fascinating insight into the world of winemaking in Lebanon, a country that is often better known for conflict. 

Avaialble on the BBC iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x97hw for 7 days from today.

The programme information from the BBC website says:
" The message from a glass of Lebanese wine should be tolerance and openness between civilizations. It's more than fermented grape juice." Ramzi Ghosn, Massaya Wines.

For Radio 4, the BBC's Middle East Editor, Jeremy Bowen, takes time out from reporting conflicts to give vinophiles a new perspective on an ancient story. Lebanon is not a place you naturally associate with winemaking.

It is a Middle Eastern country nestled between Arab neighbours whose religion forbids them to drink alcohol. It is also a country that has been scarred by war, from the 15-year civil war from 1975-1990, to the recent Israeli-Lebanon conflict in 2006.

But Lebanon is also an ancient civilisation, a country of merchants and traders - its history dating back to Noah, the first winemaker in the Bible. Fittingly the Temple of Bacchus, an impressive tribute to the God of wine, is situated amongst the ruins of Balbek, in the Bekaa Valley, a region these days better known for Hezbollah than hedonism. But the temple, like Lebanese wine, has survived centuries of war and the winemakers of the Bekka are optimistic wine will outlive war.

Sharing stories with the wine makers who, in defiance and dedication to their craft, continue to grow their vines so close to the frontline, Jeremy delves into the cultural and ethnic mosaic of this unstable but extraordinary country.

Lebanese wine makes the headlines

We were so excited to see such great press about Lebanese wines in the weekend papers.  Victoria Moore in the Daily Telegraph called Lebanese wines "Edgy, Exciting and Drinkable" - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/wine/8243878/Lebanese-wine-Edgy-exhilarating-and-drinkable.html

And Fiona Beckett wrote about her discovery that there was more to Lebanese wine than her 'first love' Chateau Musar in The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/08/lebanese-wine-review-fiona-beckett?INTCMP=SRCH

Wines of Lebanon was definitely a hot topic on Twitter over the weekend as people retweeted these articles and chatted about their experiences of Lebanon.

Finally, Jeremy Bowen's excellent radio programme Vines on the Frontline will be broadcast on Radio 4 on Wednesday 12th January at 11.00am. 

So, all in all, very positive as Lebanese wines finally get the recognition they deserve!