Middle Eastern Wines
The awakening of the biblical lands. A renaissance harmonizing ancient varieties with precision viticulture in the planet's oldest terroirs, where the vine was first domesticated.
The Origin of Oenological Civilization
The Middle East is not just a producing region; it is the genesis of wine. According to research published by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the first evidence of fermentation dates back more than 6,000 years. Today, this legacy is revived through archaeo-enology projects that rescue nearly extinct varieties, offering profiles found nowhere else in the world.
Lebanon
The resilience of the Bekaa Valley. With a tradition influenced by the French mandate, iconic wineries like Chateau Musar have shown that Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah acquire an aristocratic longevity in these clay-limestone soils at 1,000 meters of altitude.
Israel
A leader in agricultural innovation in the Negev Desert and the cool Golan Heights. The rescue of ancient grapes like Marawi and Bittuni has captured the attention of critics like Jancis Robinson, achieving unparalleled cosmopolitan elegance.
Armenia
Home to the oldest known winery in the Areni-1 cave, a UNESCO protected site. The Areni Noir grape, grown in volcanic ash soils at 1,400 meters, offers a pungent minerality and silky elegance reminiscent of Pinot Noir.
Keys to Ancient Viticulture
What defines the sensory profile of wines from this region?
They are characterized by deep concentration due to high sun exposure, balanced by a natural freshness from extreme altitudes. These wines often present notes of exotic spices, resin, and a distinctive earthy minerality.
What is the importance of amphorae or "Karas"?
In Armenia, the use of buried clay jars (Karas) allows for natural micro-oxygenation without imparting woody flavors, preserving the purity of the fruit and the direct expression of the volcanic terroir.