Lebanese wines, a treasure to be discovered !

According to archeologists, one may

trace the origins of wine to Armenia

and well beyond 8000 years ago,

Persia should probably be credited

for the birth of vine cultivation.

Phoenicians,however, ancestors to

today's Lebanese, deserve the merit

of disseminating the knowledge

of wine all around the Mediterranean

Coast as well as Pharaonic Egypt.

Thus this comes as no surprise to find wines of remarkable quality in that area of the world. For it enjoys sunshine more than 240 days a year, and the land has been granted with the best of conditions to produce beautiful wines. The abundance of the appropriate minerals and a sound equilibrium in the morphology of the land are essential components in making the Bekaa valley an ideal area for vine growing.

For the past few years, Restaurant Aux Lilas has featured exclusively in its wine list the best of Lebanese wines available to Québecers. Unfortunately, in the 375ml format, none of these is available. But under this smal format, you will find a selection of excellent French wines and of course, with regard to other alcoholic beverages, a good selection of those that are familiar to you.

ARAKS

This anise flavored aperitive differs from its French cousins, the latter being produced from grains whereas the Lebanese results from the distillation of grapes. Its percentage of alcohol is also higher by some 5 to 8 degrees !

Generally speaking, Lebanese do accompany their entire meals with that refreshing beverage rather than using it as a mere aperitif. It should be noted also that one way of measuring the quality of arak is to look for the density of its whiteness when mixed with water.

It is best served by pouring water (about 4 times the amount of arak) before putting ice cubes.

By the glass

El Massaya Fakra Kefraya Ksarak Pierre Brun Touma

In 375ml bottle

Fakra Kefraya Ksarak

Digestif

By the glass :

Vieille eau-de-vie Château Ksara

Aged in an oak vat for 40 years, and bottled more than 25 years ago, this Lebanese "Armagnac" may not be found anywhere else in Québec!

wINeS

Aperitif wine by the glass : Lacrima d'oro….Château Kefraya

Dessert wine 500ml btle: Moscatel de Ksara …Château Ksara

White wines 750ml Format * Varietals

Blanc éternel 2000…Château Fakra * Ugni blanc, Clairette

Blanc de blancs Château Ksara * Sauvignon, Sémillon, Chardonnay

Blanc de blancs Château Kefraya * Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Viognier

La Dame Blanche Château Kefraya * Bourboulenc, Clairette, Ugni

La Perle du Château Domaine Wardi * Chardonnay

Blanc de l'Observatoire Château Ksara * Sauvignon, Muscat, Clairette

Red Wines 750ml Format * Varietals

Château Fakra 2000 * Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cinsault

Château Kefraya 1999 * Cabernet Sauvignon., Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan

Château Ksara 2001 * Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Château Les Cèdres Domaine Wardi * n/d

Château Nakad Cave Nakad *Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Merlot

Comte de M 2000 Château Kefraya * Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvèdre

Cuvée du 3ième millénaire, Château Ksara * n/d

Hochar Père et Fils, 2000, Château Musar * n/d

Les Bretèches Château Kefraya * Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah

Les Émirs Clos St- Thomas * Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan

Merlot Wardi Domaine Wardi * Merlot

Prieuré de Ksara Château Ksara * Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon

Réserve du Couvent 2002 Château Ksara * Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah, Carignan

lebanese wines by the glass

Le Blanc de l'Observatoire, Château Ksara

Le Prieuré de Ksara, Château Ksara

In the small village of Ain Hourché, settled by the Farhood family over a century ago,

Showing up its presence …. and magnificence !