Wine tasting in Lebanon at Chateau Ksara

You may be surprised to learn that Lebanon is a source of world class wines – of course grapes have been grown and made into wine here for centuries, but it was mainly for local consumption. It was probably the influence of the French, who had a protectorate over Lebanon between two World Wars, that really took Lebanese wine-making into different league.

Chateau Ksara

The Lebanese vineyards and wineries are concentrated in the Bekaa valley where the grapes are grown, and one of the most commercial wineries in this area is the Chateau Ksara. After our stay in Baalbek, we drove south through the Bekaa valley and stopped there for a spot of wine tasting. The Ksara winery is close to a busy road intersection and it was not quite setting of rolling vineyards that I’d had in mind, so close to all the traffic. But as you entered the drive, the elegant reception area and winery came into view, ideal for a quick stop off the highway and I suspect on the itinerary of many a coach tour.

Free tour at Chateau Ksara

The whole operation was very slick with a 45 minute free tour. A pleasant lady on reception took us with a few others who arrived at the same time, and we sat and watched a video about the vineyard and winemaking here. Then she took us down into the cellars that were discovered in Roman times, where we could see some of the oldest bottles of the property being stored as well as the wine maturing in oak barrels.

After that we went to a bar area and sat down to taste a few of the Ksara wines, which was very pleasant, but as it was a free tour, they were mainly everyday table wines and not of special quality. Lastly we were ushered into the shop where there was a wide selection of the different bottles to buy from the property. I bought a couple of half bottles, not being able to transport too much back to the UK.

Kefraya and Massaya Vineyards

It was a very enjoyable tour, but if you want to spend a lazy lunchtime surrounded by the vineyards in the countryside, there are probably other vineyards you could try, such as Kefraya or Massaya, that are a bit more off the beaten track. Or for a more personal style tour for wine enthusiasts make an appointment at Chateau Musar, in the hills close to Jeita near Beirut – you can read us about meeting the winemakers there.

Have you drunk any Lebanese wines? They’re often in the same style as a French claret and are usually a lot cheaper than a Bordeaux of similar quality. Seek them out in your local specialist wine shop and tell me what you think.

Lebanon Wine Resources

Chateau Ksara website
Chateau Kefraya website
Chateau Massaya website
Chateau Musar website

Other Lebanon articles to enjoy

Meet the winemakers at Chateau Musar in Lebanon
Wine tasting in the Bekaa valley in Lebanon
Mezze memories in Lebanon

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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