Lebanon

Question 1

What ancient civilization is credited with inventing the commercial wine trade?

Answer 1

Ancient Phoenicia

Phoenicia’s boundaries roughly equate to modern Lebanon, northern Israel, and southern Syria.

Question 2

Who founded Domaine des Tourelles in 1868?

Answer 2

François-Eugène Brun

It was established as a profit-making enterprise.

Question 3

What major influence impacted Lebanon’s winemaking culture between the World Wars?

Answer 3

French mandate

Lebanon fell under French mandate before declaring independence in 1943.

Question 4

How many wineries operated in Lebanon at the outset of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975?

Answer 4

Four wineries

The wineries were Château Ksara, Château Musar, Domaine des Tourelles, and Château Nakad.

Question 5

What year did Serge Hochar bring Château Musar to the Bristol Wine Fair?

Answer 5

1979

His wines received praise from renowned critic Michael Broadbent.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: The __________ Triangle was first planted by Phoenicians.

Answer 6

Sherry

This region is significant in the history of wine production.

Question 7

Which god of wine did the ancient Romans erect a temple for at Baalbek?

Answer 7

Bacchus

Baalbek is today a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Question 8

What significant event in Lebanon’s wine industry occurred in 1857?

Answer 8

Establishment of Château Ksara

It is today Lebanon’s largest producer.

Question 9

What year did Serge Hochar bring Château Musar to the Bristol Wine Fair?

Answer 9

1979

His wines received praise from renowned critic Michael Broadbent.

Question 10

What is the primary region associated with Lebanese wine?

Answer 10

Bekaa Valley

Lebanese wine has become nearly synonymous with the Bekaa Valley, even for wines grown outside the area.

Question 11

What are the two significant mountain ranges in Lebanon?

Answer 11

Mount Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains

Mount Lebanon separates Beirut from the country’s interior, while the Anti-Lebanon Mountains form the Syrian border.

Question 12

What river runs through the Bekaa Valley?

Answer 12

Litani River

The Litani River frequently runs dry in the summer months.

Question 13

How does the climate of the Bekaa Valley vary?

Answer 13

Drier and warmer from south to north

The largest center of wine production, the Western Bekaa, is in the cooler, wetter areas.

Question 14

What types of grapes are predominantly planted in Lebanon?

Answer 14

Bordeaux, Rhône, and other French varieties

Popular varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and others.

Question 15

What are Lebanon’s most notable indigenous grape varieties?

Answer 15

Obaideh and Merweh

They are organoleptically similar to Chardonnay and Sémillon but are most successful in mountain vineyards.

Question 16

What is arak?

Answer 16

An unsweetened grape-derived spirit

Arak undergoes multiple distillations and is traditionally produced in a Moorish copper still.

Question 17

What is the typical dilution ratio for serving arak?

Answer 17

Two parts water to one part spirit

This dilution gives arak a cloudy appearance similar to absinthe.

Question 18

True or False: Lebanon has established a formal appellation system.

Answer 18

False

Lebanon has yet to establish a formal appellation system, nor is one expected in the near term.

Question 19

Fill in the blank: Much of the Bekaa’s soil is _______.

Answer 19

alluvial

The region’s soil diversity contributes to its agricultural productivity.

Question 20

What is the significance of the Bekaa Valley’s geographic location?

Answer 20

It is shielded from Mediterranean humidity and Syrian desert heat

The mountain ranges act as natural barriers, creating a unique microclimate.

Question 21

What is the common practice regarding grape blending in Lebanon?

Answer 21

Multi-region blending remains common

Grapes are cultivated on both the mountain ranges and in the Bekaa Valley.

Question 22

What is the primary region associated with Lebanese wine?

Answer 22

Bekaa Valley

Lebanese wine has become nearly synonymous with the Bekaa Valley, even for wines grown outside the area.

Question 23

What are the two significant mountain ranges in Lebanon?

Answer 23

Mount Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains

Mount Lebanon separates Beirut from the country’s interior, while the Anti-Lebanon Mountains form the Syrian border.

Question 24

What river runs through the Bekaa Valley?

Answer 24

Litani River

The Litani River frequently runs dry in the summer months.

Question 25

How does the climate of the Bekaa Valley vary?

Answer 25

Drier and warmer from south to north ## Footnote The largest center of wine production, the Western Bekaa, is in the cooler, wetter areas.

Question 26

What types of grapes are predominantly planted in Lebanon?

Answer 26

Bordeaux, Rhône, and other French varieties ## Footnote Popular varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and others.

Question 27

What are Lebanon's most notable indigenous grape varieties?

Answer 27

Obaideh and Merweh ## Footnote They are organoleptically similar to Chardonnay and Sémillon but are most successful in mountain vineyards.

Question 28

What is arak?

Answer 28

An unsweetened grape-derived spirit ## Footnote Arak undergoes multiple distillations and is traditionally produced in a Moorish copper still.

Question 29

What is the typical dilution ratio for serving arak?

Answer 29

Two parts water to one part spirit ## Footnote This dilution gives arak a cloudy appearance similar to absinthe.

Question 30

True or False: Lebanon has established a formal appellation system.

Answer 30

False ## Footnote Lebanon has yet to establish a formal appellation system, nor is one expected in the near term.

Question 31

Fill in the blank: Much of the Bekaa's soil is _______.

Answer 31

alluvial ## Footnote The region's soil diversity contributes to its agricultural productivity.

Question 32

What is the significance of the Bekaa Valley's geographic location?

Answer 32

It is shielded from Mediterranean humidity and Syrian desert heat ## Footnote The mountain ranges act as natural barriers, creating a unique microclimate.

Question 33

What is the common practice regarding grape blending in Lebanon?

Answer 33

Multi-region blending remains common ## Footnote Grapes are cultivated on both the mountain ranges and in the Bekaa Valley.