What is going on – isn’t this a blog about Southern Italian wines, food and travel? If so, why is a wine from Lebanon being featured? If you read “About” it is clear that the blog has been inspired by my Southern Italian roots. My two sons, have third generation Southern Italian roots, but they also have third generation Lebanese roots. They have great grandparents on their mother’s side who were born in Lebanon. In a tribute to their Lebanese heritage I am reviewing Hochar Pere et file 2009 and 2011 wines. (Note that my sons also have third generation Irish roots, so if I find Irish wines ….)

A couple of weeks ago Ro and I, when dining at Street & Company in Portland, ME, http://www.streetandcompany.net,  ordered a bottle of Hochar Pere et file 2011. We found the wine to be spicy and fruity; enjoyable. Last week we were dining at The Townshend in Quincy, MA, http://www.thetownshend.com, we ordered a bottle of Hochar Pere et file 2009; a profoundly fruity and spicy wine of exceptional quality. Jason, the owner of The Townshend, met Serge Hocher, the late patriarch of Chateau Musar, http://www.chateaumusar.com, several years ago. Per Jason, Serge during the fifteen year civil war (1975-1990) successfully produced wine, so that the 85 year history of production would not be interrupted.

The Hocher family arrived in Lebanon in the 12th century along with the crusades and remained. The winery, located in Bekaa Valley about 15 miles north of Beirut, produces about 650,000 bottles per year. Despite its large size, Chateau Musar is certified organic (the first in Lebanon), uses ambient yeasts in fermentation and

minimizes the use of sulfites. Hochar Pere et file is a blend of several grapes of French origin: Cinsault, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan and ages in French oak barrels.