Nayla Razzouk from Agence France Presse (AFP) wrote in The Daily Star - Lebanon News today:

Exported since the time of the Phoenicians 5,000 years ago, sun-drenched Lebanese wine is spreading as mushrooming estates refine strategies to satisfy domestic and lucrative overseas markets.

"Facts speak for themselves: 50 years ago, there were three winemakers in Lebanon. Today, there are 15," said Serge Hochar, head of the Union Vinicole du Liban (UVL).

...

"Wine is an ancient tradition in Lebanon since the Phoenicians were among the first traders of wine," said Nagib Moutran, brand manager at Chateau Kefraya which remains a market leader together with Chateau Ksara.

Moutran said Kefraya produces 1.5 million bottles of wine each year, including about 40 percent for export that mainly targets Europe and the United States.

...

"But most of all, Lebanon has 300 days of sun throughout the year and this gives us excellent wines and grapes," he said.

Ramez Saliba, sales manager at Chateau Ksara, said "Lebanese wines win a lot of international awards. In the 2003-2004 season, 99 percent of Ksara products won medals and awards."

He said Ksara, stored in a labyrinth of natural caves stretching over two kilometers where the product was first made by Jesuit monks in 1857, produces about 2.5 million bottles of wine, including some 900,000 bottles for export.

"We export to all destinations, but the basis of the exports is to tap into the wide Lebanese community abroad," which is estimated at more than 12 million people - or three times the population at home.

For USA delivery of Lebanese wines, go to Shop.MiddleEast.com

To learn more about the country of Lebanon, go to the CIA Fact Book at: CIA.gov

Lebanon was once known as the Switzerland of the Middle East. Its capital, Beirut, was referred to as an oriental Paris until 1975, when the country was torn apart by civil war for sixteen years.

Let's hope this war-torn coastal country now on the mend can not only reach out successfully to its current 3.7 million inhabitants and the 12 million Lebanese people living outside their country, but to wine lovers worldwide.

Meanwhile, The President of Lebanon, General Emile Lahoud and Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, announced yesterday that they are working together to turn the country into a high quality destination focused on this Eastern Mediterranean country's cultural tourism, beach resorts, ski slopes, shopping, lifestyle, business and international sporting events.

U.S. citizens are currently being warned to consider carefully the risks of travel to Lebanon.

Fortunately, however, our European neighbors, Arabs and Africans are beginning to flock there, again.

While Americans are hesitant to go to Lebanon at this point-in-time, we look forward to bringing Lebanon to America through its rich art, culture, fashion (Robert Abi Nader, Youssef Kamoun and Ghazi Tohme), and wine.

To learn more about Lebanon as a tourist destination and/or a potential investment in foreign trade, please go to:

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful and fruitful living!

Inspire and Be Inspired(R).

~ Jennifer King