I missed one of my favorite tastings of the year in New York, Riesling & Co 2011, last Thursday due to a cold. This week, I will be following the coming and goings of London International Wine Fair 2011 (May 17-May 19) from my New Jersey digs.
I was not able to line up a travel sponsor for this trip to London as I did very late in the game with Virgin America for Hospice du Rhone in Paso Robles.
Besides being able to meet a number of long distance contacts face to face, one of the attractions of such international events, I was looking forward to a number of sessions.
One of those on my radar was Lebanese Wines with Tim Atkin on opening day (May 17).
On the agenda:
"Tim will pick his top wines from eight different wineries in a tutored tasting showcasing the different styles, grape varieties and terroirswithin this small country. Lebanese wine expert Michael Karam will explain Lebanon’s rich winemaking history—from 5000BC to the present day—showing how centuries of tradition have been harnessed with modern winemaking techniques to create what is arguably Lebanon’s greatest export."
He will conduct the session alongside Michael Karam, a Beirut-based author and journalist who has published two books on Lebanese wine:Wines of Lebanon (Saqi Books, 2005) and Michael Karam’s Lebanese Wines 2011: A comprehensive guide (Vinehouse Media, 2010).
Learn more about the area's wines on Wines of Lebanon website.