Handford Wines

The Ksara winery lies in the heart of the Bekaa Valley in the Lebanon. Originally founded by Jesuit monks in 1857 it is now the largest wine producer in the country with vineyards spread over four sites totalling several hundred hectares. Climatic conditions are very favourable for the production of wine with with plenty of sunshine, warm days and cool nights. There is also no need for the use of pesticides or herbicides as there is almost no rainfall during the growing season. Harvesting is done by hand and the wine is aged underground in large natural cellars dating back to Roman times. We enjoy these wines for their purity and weight of fruit, being not over extracted like some new world wines. They also have sufficient individuality and interest to make them well worth a try in an area now relatively peaceful after the awful civil war. Several new wineries have sprung up recently and I have a feeling we will be seeing more of wine from the Lebanon in years to come.

The Wine

Issued from Petit Verdot 40%, Cabernet Franc 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20% and Syrah 20%. Shows a dense robe of deep purple red, a spicy and generous nose with well matured red and black fruits. In the mouth it has power and yet is supple with firm tannins suggesting that this monster will age for many years! Perfect accompaniment to gamey meats and Eastern or Persian cuisine of course.

Single Bottle: £22.95

In a case of 12: £21.80