That's Wine!

Lebanon

Winemaking in Lebanon traces its roots back to the times of the Phoenicians, who were the first to export wine throughout the Mediterranean. It was thanks to the Phoenicians that winemaking emerged in modern-day Greece, Italy, and Cyprus. The ancient Romans built the Castle of Bacchus in the fertile Bekaa Valley, extolling the fertility of Lebanese soil. In the Lebanese episode, we will delve into the history of Lebanon's "oldest modern winery" and its French heritage. We will uncover how, during the bloody civil war era, Lebanese winemaking found its way to the export market. Furthermore, we will learn about how small wineries grew in significance despite new wars, a devastating explosion, and economic collapse in the country.