First U.S. LEBANESE WINE DAY a Resounding Success

Lebanese Wine Day, organized by Lebanon's Ministry of Agriculture, concluded its first U.S. event in New York City on November 17, 2016. The event, held at the renowned Astor Center, celebrated wines from Lebanon's top producers and the great winemaking heritage from this historical wine producing nation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Throughout New York's first Lebanese Wine Day, more than 300 members of the trade and press had the opportunity to sample wines from 25 Lebanese producers at the walk-around tasting. Representing the diversity of Lebanon's terroir, wines came from the heart of Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, Batroun in the north, as well as Mount Lebanon and the south.

"We were thrilled with the outcome of this year's Lebanese Wine Day event and felt a great sense of pride in bringing Lebanon's finest wines to New York," said Mr. Louis Lahoud, Lebanon's Director General for Agriculture. "We look forward to a new Lebanese Wine Day and to more American wine enthusiasts rediscovering our nation's great wines."

In the afternoon, select members of the wine trade and press were also invited to participate in unique master classes about Lebanon's rich wine heritage. Both master classes, titled 'A Snapshot of Lebanese Wines Today,' were presented by noted Eastern Mediterranean wine expert, Christy Canterbury, MW. Additionally, the event featured the cuisine of Ilili (http://www.ililinyc.com), one of New York's leading Mediterranean restaurants.

"This event marks a very important milestone for our country's wines," said Randa Dammous-Pharaon, Project Manager of Hospitality Services, the company managing the event. "It has provided a platform for Lebanon's finest winemakers to bring their wines to New York and will hopefully result in a greater number of Lebanese wines being available to the local market."

For more information about the event and the Lebanese wine industry, please email Lebanesewineday@colangelopr.com.

Photo Credit: Marina P. Kennedy

Editor's Note: I had the pleasure of attending Lebanese Wine Day and sampling fine wines from the region. We highly recommend that you look for wines from Lebanon when shopping for spirits or dining out.