Hopes pinned on Wine Day

Twenty nine local producers participating

The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (CCIA) are preparing for the Lebanese Wine Day in France that will be held on May 14. Some 29 companies will be participating in the event. Elie Maamari, Export Manager at Château Ksara, said: “The MoA rented the George V Hall in the ‘Four Seasons’ hotel in Paris to display the wine produce.” The Middle East Airlines (MEA) will ship the goods that will be displayed at the exhibition for free. “The MEA also gave a 50 percent discount on tickets for companies participating in this day,” Maamari said.

The International Office for Wine and Vine (OIV) and the Union of Chambers granted $30,000 to help small industrialists participate in the event. More than 1,200 invitations were distributed, and about 800 individuals confirmed their attendance.

Salim Wardeh, General Manager at Domaine Wardeh, said: “The wine industry has highlighted the agricultural sector, which is one of the most significant production sectors locally.” Local wineries produce around seven million bottles each year, 3.5 million of which are exported at an average price of $7 per bottle. Local wine is exported to Europe, America, Canada, Africa, Australia, and Arab countries like Oman, the UAE, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt. Western Europe is the best export market, according to Maamari.

Mohamad Choucair, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, said: “The Lebanese Wine Day is proof of the advanced level of the wine industry, and its ability to compete with top-quality brands.” Maamari said this event offers a great opportunity for wine industrialists: “We are very optimistic about this event. Many English and French journalists will be writing about it, which will give good publicity to Lebanese wine and enrich its reputation.”