Lebanon round table: East meets West

Inviting curious trade palates to taste and discuss Lebanese wines for the UK market, co-hosts Andrew Catchpole and Harpers Lebanon Report author Michael Karam unearthed a wealth of enthusiasm for the country’s engaging offer.

Harpers Round Table: Selling Lebanon

Lebanon has moved on from being a ‘Bordeaux tribute act’ to encompass myriad styles and varieties suited to its diverse terrain and should now be selling its differences to the world.

Musar turns to Fells for UK distribution

Lebanese producer Chateau Musar is to join the John E. Fells & Sons portfolio, adding to the roll call of leading family estates the importer represents in the UK.

Lebanon: Rebirth and renewal

In a Harpers exclusive, Lebanese expert Michael Karam shares his new, in-depth report on his native Lebanon’s wine industry, with a scene-setting introduction here and the full content published online at Harpers.co.uk

Exclusive: Michael Karam’s 2023 Lebanon report

In a Harpers exclusive, Lebanese authority Michael Karam has released his 2023 Lebanon report, available to read for free on the Harpers website. 

Economic crisis worsens for Lebanon as harvest approaches

Lebanese winery IXSIR has called on exporters to help boost sales of its products abroad, as the country continues to fight ongoing crippling inflation and energy shortages.

Domaine de Tourelles kickstarts Lebanon's gin sector

Lebanon’s oldest commercial winery is branching out from wine and launching its first gin product - believed to be the first Lebanese gin available in the UK.

Q&A: Karim Johnny Saadé, Bargylus and Château Marsyas

IXSIR powers through Lebanon challenges to declare healthy vintage

Leading Lebanese winery IXSIR is reporting a “healthy” 2020 vintage, despite the harvest beginning within days of the deadly explosion that rocked Beirut and increasing Covid-19 restrictions.

Wine & War documents trials and triumphs of winemaking in Lebanon

A new documentary film entitled ‘Wine & War: The Untold Story of Wine in the Middle East’ is to focus on the resilience of Lebanese winemaking as seen “through the lens of war and instability”.

Bid for Beirut relief nudges £22,000

The Bid for Beirut fundraiser has raised close on £22,000 over the UK bank holiday weekend, with donations still coming in.

Special IXSIR and Enotria tasting organises relief for Lebanon

Etienne Debbané, president and co-founder of IXSIR will be hosting a special tasting on Enotria’s Instagram page tomorrow (Thursday), with 50% of the proceeds going to relief efforts for Lebanon.

Q&A: Etienne Debanné, president, & Gabriel Rivero, winemaker, IXSIR

Swapping lunch in London for a live link to Lebanon, Andrew Catchpole catches up with a rising Middle Eastern star.

Berkmann adds Lebanese producer Château Ksara

Berkmann Wine Cellars has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributors of Château Ksara.

Hallgarten adds Lebanon’s Château Oumsiyat

Hallgarten Wines has added Lebanese producer Château Oumsiyat to its portfolio.

Lebanon goes back to its roots with 100% Merwah and less focus on “blingy reds”

Lebanese winemakers are delving into their history, and are now ready to expand their repertoire from "extracted, luxurious reds” to indigenous whites and terroir-driven styles, an expert on the country has said.

Lebanon: Return to roots

Perched on the eastern end of the Mediterranean, yet with vineyards at altitudes of 1,000m and above, Lebanon offers a promising mix of conditions for the production of great wines. Of course, the first wave of Lebanese wines to make their mark internationally were largely blends based on Bordeaux varieties, with some notable successes, gaining a niche but loyal following. However, in tune with the country’s location and viticultural history, a second wave of indigenous and Mediterranean varieties are now emerging as winemakers realise the potential for varieties that carry more of an indigenous signature.

Wine Stars Awards opens up to host of new countries

Harpers Wine Stars Awards is inviting entries from Germany, Austria, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and Lebanon, to join established category England and Wales, at the next round of judging this Spring, with the entry deadline on 16 April.

Académie Internationale du Vin appoints Lebanese winemaker

Prestigious wine body Académie Internationale du Vin has announced Elie Maamari - long-serving winemaker and export manager for leading Lebanese winery Château Ksara, has joined the fold.

Guy Woodward: The road to Damascus

I drank my first glass of Syrian wine the other night. Bargylus, a Cabernet/Syrah blend. I’d read about it, but never actually seen it on the shelf or a list. Until, that is, it was offered to me as part of the rather fine tasting menu at Alyn Williams’ restaurant in The Westbury.