Ep 178: Chateau Musar: The Icon Wines of Lebanon (Part 1)

To download the transcript CLICK HERE   Welcome back! On today's episode, Join us as we venture into the saga of perseverance in winemaking, set against the tumultuous backdrop of 15/16 years of civil unrest. We uncover the fascinating narrative behind Chateau Musar, the revered wine of the Middle East. Our esteemed guest, Marc Hochar, from the family behind this iconic label, graciously shares their remarkable tales.   We'll delve into the legacy of Serge Hochar (Marc’s late father), a driving force behind Chateau Musar, whose unparalleled dedication earned him the prestigious title of Decanter Man of the Year. Together, we'll traverse the landscapes of Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, examining the intricate dance between climate, altitude, and organic viticulture, all shaping the unique essence of these wines.   As we sip on the 2016 Chateau Musar Red, we'll explore the nuances of volatile acidity, wild yeast, and low sulfur, delving into the winemaking philosophies that infuse each bottle with character.   This episode is sponsored by Wickham Wines, A small business themselves focusing on top quality wines. Do yourself a favour, and go check out their online store for their amazing collection! Use the code EATSLEEP10 for 10% off your first order.   If you want to skip ahead:   02.27: The Mzar castle in the Historic village of Ghazir, Beirut 05.17: Toughest points of Chateau Musar’s History: Wine & War 11.34: Marc’s Grandfather: Gaston - the man who started it all 16.02: A bottle of Chateau Musar’s trip to Antarctica 17.58: Identifying Chateau Musar in a blind tasting 19.55: Characteristics of Chateau Musar 21.50: Volatile Acidity in wine and how it enhances Chateau Musar 25.29: The Winemaking process 27.53: Discussing the age potential of these wines and tasting Chateau Musar Red 2016 £31.90 Noble Grape £34.95 The Worsley Fine Wines 29.27: Discussing emotion in wine instead of fruit 31.40: Organic viticulture in the vineyards 39.49: Climate and terroir in Bekaa Valley 36.37: Bush vines and yields 40.55: Discussing the differences between the reds and tasting Hochar Pere Et Fils 2020 £23.55 Field & Fawcett £26.95 Secret Bottle Shop   Any thoughts or questions, do email me: [email protected] Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat   If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time, Cheers to you!   ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.