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FEATURED WINE - CHATEAU MUSAR
The spirit world is steeped in history, and the stories behind their origins are truly fascinating, or at least we think they are. Here at AKA we offer a vast and unusual variety of spirits, champagnes, cocktails and beers, so we thought we’d impart a little of what we have learned along the way...
In our new regular feature, we’ll be inviting AKA’s Bar Manager, Marco Torre, to talk us through the history of an infamous drinker, plus the story behind a legendary cocktail and a famous spirit brand.
CHATEAU MUSAR
Ask anyone where wine originated and chances are they’ll say France. A little known fact, however, is that the Lebanese beat them to it. The Phoenicians actually introduced Viticulture to the world before the French (6,000 years ago, in fact) planting vines in Southern Europe and trading their wines throughout the Mediterranean.
Always quick to cotton on to a good thing, the Egyptians were the first regular customers for Lebanon’s new export – as is evident in countless Egyptian inscriptions and paintings. Wine drinking was initially limited to the upper echelons of Egyptian society – kings, nobles and priests in temple ceremonies, but its popularity and availability quickly spread. As well as being responsible for some of the greatest architectural and cultural achievements in history, the Egyptians also knew how to throw a great party!
The Lebanese wine we sell at AKA is Chateau Musar - created in 1930 in the cellar of an old 17th century castle, it is as much the work of a family as the living testimony of all the civilisations that have treated its soil. The vineyards are located at an altitude of 3,000 feet in ideal conditions for grape growing. The composition of the soil varies from year to year, giving Chateau Musar a different character and identity each year. The wines are allowed to develop as naturally possible, giving them a very distinctive character. Try setting your taste buds a bit further afield and order a bottle of Chateau Musar next time you’re in AKA.
Read about the Prohibition Era. |
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