Bekaa Valley

**Bekaa Valley** is the beating heart of Lebanese wine, a high plateau set between mountain ranges in the east of the country. **Wines & grapes** — Reds dominate, built around French varieties like Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Grenache, often in blends; there are also whites from grapes such as the local Obeideh and Merwah as well as international varieties. **Character** — Sitting at considerable altitude, the valley enjoys hot days and cool nights, plenty of sunshine and low disease pressure, conditions that ripen grapes fully while keeping good acidity. The wines are typically warm and full-bodied yet balanced. **Good to know** — Lebanon has one of the world's oldest winemaking traditions, stretching back to the ancient Phoenicians.

Wines

• Blanc Perle — Cave Kouroum
• Chateau Musar — Gaston Hochar
• Hochar Père et Fils — Château Musar
• Old Vine Carignan — Chateau Ksara
• Rouge — Clos St. Thomas