Viticulture in Lebanon
The area of Lebanon is one of the oldest wine-growing regions on earth. In the Bekaa plain and other parts of the country, 97,000 hectoliters were produced on 9,130 hectares of cultivation area in 2017.
history
Since the 3rd millennium BC Viticulture is documented in Lebanon, presumably the Phoenicians brought it into the country. Lebanese wine was traded throughout southern Europe in ancient times and in the early Middle Ages. With the spread of the Arabs and Islam, the cultivation declined, it is thanks to the relatively high proportion of Christians that it was maintained at a certain level. The Christian monasteries continued to grow wine for measuring needs . Modern viticulture began in 1857 by Jesuit monks in Ksara, a suburb of Zahlé . They also built extensive wine cellars that still store wines from 1918 and that are now a tourist destination. The demand for wine in the country increased steadily in the 20th century.
The Lebanese civil war almost brought wine production to a standstill between 1975 and 1990, but since its end the wine growing has recovered again, the vineyards have been recultivated according to modern principles and produce an internationally recognized quality.
production
Today, three wineries are distinguished by the production of top wines that are awarded at international competitions: Château Musar , which was able to produce almost continuously even during the civil war, and the estates of Château Ksara , and Château Kefraya .
Around eight to eight and a half million bottles are produced annually, 50% of which are exported. The largest customer countries are the United Kingdom (47%), the USA (20%) and France (15%). The value of exports amounted to 20.3 million in 2018 in US dollars .
The Domaine Château Kefraya , for example, exported wine for around US $ 3 million in 1996 , the company has an annual production of 1.5 million bottles, of which around 40% are exported.
Due to the influence of France during the French mandate 1920–1943, 16–17 predominantly French grape varieties are grown today. Among the red wine varieties Cinsaut , Carignan , Mourvèdre , Grenache and Merlot , as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah . The most common types of white wine are Sauvignon Blanc , Ugni Blanc , Sémillon , Clairette Blanche and Chardonnay . The numerous local grape varieties include Obeidi , Merweh and Meroué .
Almost fifty companies are involved in production, two dozen of which are grouped together in the Union Vinicole du Liban (UVL) . This was founded in 1997 and is intended to promote the harmonious development of viticulture through appropriate interprofessional structures. Lebanon has been a member of the IOV since 1996 .
Since 1893, a spirit called Arak has been distilled in Lebanon , a pomace brandy that, following tradition, is flavored with aniseed here . The mixture is then roasted 1-2 more times to concentrate the aroma. About 70% of the production is exported.
Quote
Kerak Nöe, May 20, 1875. Viticulture in Lebanon. I am writing this message in the middle of the wine country of Lebanon, in memory of the coming urban day , I am writing these words in the tent that is pitched next to the vineyards of Kerak Nöe, not far from the grave of Noah , who is called the father of viticulture here, as in our country. (...) But since I tasted the wine from Sachlé, Kerak and the Bekáa (the lowlands between Lebanon and Antilebanon), I can understand why Father Noah is moved here by the pious legend. In this area is probably the cradle of viticulture, the home of the vine, which climbs wildly on the forest trees, preferably the oaks, so that from a distance one does not really know what kind of tree one is looking at has the shape of an oak tree, but bears the leaves of the vine. (...) You don't think that viticulture in Lebanon is practiced so roughly as z. B. it is the case in Jaffa or even in Italy . On the contrary, great care is taken everywhere and the training of the stick is certainly based on thousands of years of experience.
- Oscar Fraas (1824–1897): Three months in Lebanon p. 26
Web links
- Union Vinicole du Liban (UVL) Official website of the Lebanese Viticulture Association (English)
- Information at libanon-info.de
- Website of the Château Ksara (English)
- Château Kefraya website (English, French)
- Website of the Château Musar (English, Chinese)
Individual evidence
- ↑ OIV country profile Lebanon. Accessed December 1, 2019 .
- ↑ a b The Current State of “Wine”. (PDF; 845 kB) March 15, 2019, accessed on December 1, 2019 (English, analysis by the Lebanese BLOMINVEST Bank).
- ↑ UVL members. Accessed December 1, 2019 .
- ↑ a b About us. Accessed December 1, 2019 .