WEBVTT 00:00:14.534 --> 00:00:16.677 It was a bread bakery and it became a Manakish bakery. 00:00:25.663 --> 00:00:29.333 Hello Anthony, how are you? Good? I hope so, happy holidays. 00:00:31.041 --> 00:00:34.553 You are at Chafic Bou Assaly Bakery in Qob Elias. 00:00:35.430 --> 00:00:38.013 This is a thyme Manoucheh. We are making it now. 00:00:38.013 --> 00:00:39.389 This is a mixed Manoucheh. 00:00:40.675 --> 00:00:45.911 Mhammara Manoucheh. This bakery has been here since 1958. 00:00:46.523 --> 00:00:47.763 Since the times of my late father. 00:00:49.287 --> 00:00:54.820 First, it was a bread bakery. Then it became a Manakish and pastry bakery in 1965. 00:00:55.201 --> 00:00:58.111 Good morning. Good morning Anthony, welcome to Qob Elias. 00:00:58.111 --> 00:00:59.214 We're happy that you're here. 00:01:00.606 --> 00:01:04.606 We're happy that you're here and we are recording the oldest things present in Qob Elias 00:01:04.606 --> 00:01:07.633 and we allow people to know Qob Elias, and the beauty of the village and the area. 00:01:07.633 --> 00:01:10.510 So we're on. Ahmad, tell me about you. 00:01:10.908 --> 00:01:14.967 Thank God, good. I've been here for almost a year and a month. 00:01:15.365 --> 00:01:19.365 From Canada. I liked to come and see Lebanon, and get my kids to Lebanon. 00:01:19.365 --> 00:01:23.365 Because Lebanon is the most beautiful country in the world. I follow you a lot. 00:01:23.365 --> 00:01:27.365 Because you excited us to come to Lebanon, and i've been here for a year and a month. 00:01:27.365 --> 00:01:31.365 I am working in Lebanon. We have about 6 stops today. 00:01:31.365 --> 00:01:34.635 We will see the oldest bakery in Qob Elias and in the area. 00:01:35.107 --> 00:01:41.883 We will see another bakery for one of the most charismatic people in Qob Elias. 00:01:42.737 --> 00:01:46.188 We will see the largest vegetable market in the area, in the Middle East. 00:01:46.565 --> 00:01:53.175 We will see Domaine de Chouchene because it is very amazing, Anthony, you're going to love it. 00:02:07.568 --> 00:02:10.923 We will start with the thyme Manoucheh. Soft soft soft. 00:02:11.431 --> 00:02:12.481 Large and filling. 00:02:16.123 --> 00:02:18.603 I loved it a lot. Maximum soft. 00:02:19.006 --> 00:02:21.696 Filling, generous, the thyme is good. 00:02:23.498 --> 00:02:25.748 It is not chewy. Very fluffy. 00:02:26.773 --> 00:02:28.493 The dough is properly soaked with oil. 00:02:31.434 --> 00:02:32.034 Great start. 00:02:33.726 --> 00:02:34.626 Then they have this. 00:02:35.353 --> 00:02:36.713 What is this! About a kilogram. 00:02:37.237 --> 00:02:38.207 3 kinds of cheese. 00:02:39.366 --> 00:02:39.962 A mix. 00:02:42.795 --> 00:02:43.385 Wow. 00:02:45.067 --> 00:02:46.683 That is something. 00:02:48.204 --> 00:02:49.274 Super something. 00:02:51.676 --> 00:02:52.376 All these. 00:02:54.915 --> 00:02:56.530 Enjoy enjoy. 00:03:02.158 --> 00:03:04.158 This is a big thing. 00:03:31.429 --> 00:03:34.429 Abou Alaa Bakery. You're close to my heart, I respect you. 00:03:34.429 --> 00:03:35.739 All kinds of Manakish. 00:03:36.618 --> 00:03:38.288 Welcome. You're close to my heart. 00:03:39.309 --> 00:03:43.309 Yes, I've been in this business for 50 years. Specifically in this place, I've been for 17 years. 00:03:47.935 --> 00:03:51.935 This is the thyme. The bakery is related to thyme, they initially say, a thyme bakery. 00:03:52.882 --> 00:03:57.722 Then, the other kinds come. But originally, they say that this bakery is a thyme bakery. 00:06:24.208 --> 00:06:25.865 You're welcome a hundred times. 00:06:27.913 --> 00:06:29.378 One for me and one for you. 00:06:29.715 --> 00:06:32.852 The Manoucheh is wrapped like a sandwich, like a school sandwich. 00:06:38.310 --> 00:06:39.337 You have to try it. 00:06:41.308 --> 00:06:42.178 Super soft. 00:06:48.768 --> 00:06:51.161 Super smooth. Super simple. 00:06:52.231 --> 00:06:54.871 Light and clean, delicious, uncomplicated. 00:06:56.437 --> 00:06:57.347 Comforting. 00:07:01.720 --> 00:07:02.460 Unbelievable. 00:07:08.251 --> 00:07:09.231 I memorized the location. 00:07:14.746 --> 00:07:16.679 For sure I'm coming back. Let me go inside to tell him thank you and bravo. 00:07:48.218 --> 00:07:54.172 We are at Qob Elias Central Vegetable Market. Now, I work as a guard in this market. 00:07:54.351 --> 00:07:58.351 I am responsable for the market and now I will take you to 00:07:58.940 --> 00:08:01.659 Sheikh Wajih Al Amoury, he will tell you more about the topic. 00:08:09.789 --> 00:08:11.981 This vegetable market was established in 1997. 00:08:13.604 --> 00:08:17.214 A group of traders, in agreement with the municipality, made this market 00:08:17.214 --> 00:08:22.152 with effort and energy and it is from the best Lebanese markets 00:08:22.378 --> 00:08:24.328 and from the most organized Lebanese markets. 00:08:25.091 --> 00:08:30.521 The market is made up of 121 garages or doors, 00:08:31.186 --> 00:08:33.246 and about 60 corporations are there. 00:08:35.066 --> 00:08:40.408 This market, almost all production of Al Bekaa, 00:08:41.268 --> 00:08:42.428 comes to this market. 00:08:43.429 --> 00:08:47.999 The market during summer, all Lebanese markets come take from this market. 00:08:49.644 --> 00:08:53.978 Even for traveling and exporting, this market gives the products. 00:08:53.978 --> 00:08:55.382 Traders sell everything in this market. 00:08:55.982 --> 00:08:56.542 It is organized. 00:08:57.251 --> 00:09:00.065 There is a committee or union for this market. 00:09:00.065 --> 00:09:04.585 There is another market in Ferzol. It is parallel to Al Bekaa market, but our market is bigger. 00:09:05.696 --> 00:09:07.833 It can fit more amount of products. 00:09:35.005 --> 00:09:37.857 Just come and fill your sight with colors. 00:09:38.438 --> 00:09:40.348 From a place to a place to a place. 00:09:40.678 --> 00:09:43.143 All kinds of vegetables. Very good condition and very clean. 00:09:43.143 --> 00:09:46.651 Some are in plastic boxes, or carton boxes, or bags. 00:09:47.115 --> 00:09:51.765 You can find all what you need in very good prices. 00:09:52.182 --> 00:09:56.182 As you can see, the organization, cleanliness, calmness, there is no shouting. 00:09:56.597 --> 00:09:57.447 I was not expecting that. 00:09:58.289 --> 00:09:58.739 Very nice. 00:09:59.179 --> 00:10:01.633 It is the biggest in the Middle East, and I have not came to here before. 00:10:02.526 --> 00:10:02.936 Oops. 00:10:16.214 --> 00:10:18.707 Very very professional. Very professional. 00:10:18.707 --> 00:10:21.319 Impressive. And I am still walking and I do not feel like stopping. 00:10:21.746 --> 00:10:25.746 From a place to a place to a place, there is not a tiny bit of trash on the floor. 00:10:26.263 --> 00:10:30.263 Our prices here are very good, package prices. Our products are very clean, 00:10:30.263 --> 00:10:33.668 products with clean water, most of it is clean water, artesian. 00:11:17.110 --> 00:11:18.340 Qob Elias products. 00:12:14.301 --> 00:12:17.266 Look, there is a very old Sun Temple. 00:12:17.266 --> 00:12:20.117 Of course, we will go there later on and talk about it. 00:12:20.117 --> 00:12:21.417 If you want to capture it from here, the picture would look very nice. 00:12:23.103 --> 00:12:26.307 How many of you did know that there is a Sun Temple in Qob Elias? 00:12:26.562 --> 00:12:27.492 We pass through this road 00:12:28.390 --> 00:12:32.751 always, we all pass through this road. We all go all the way 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:37.000 to a beautiful area called Ammiq. Did we ever look to the right at this mountain? 00:12:37.604 --> 00:12:39.844 A temple, they say that it has been here for more than 6,000 years. 00:12:40.895 --> 00:12:43.275 Wow, we will go and see it together later on. 00:12:45.007 --> 00:12:48.493 So next, after the vegetables market, I will take you to my uncle, who is the eldest mayor in the village. 00:12:48.493 --> 00:12:49.993 Mahyidinne Toufic Hatoum. 00:12:52.512 --> 00:12:55.462 I have been a mayor since 1985. 00:12:56.898 --> 00:12:57.258 Yes. 00:12:58.199 --> 00:13:00.859 And in the village, there are almost 00:13:01.669 --> 00:13:04.079 70,000 person. 00:13:04.825 --> 00:13:09.435 Its history is very old. Its history, there's Haidar remains, as they call it. 00:13:10.115 --> 00:13:12.425 This dates back to the Romans era. 00:13:13.081 --> 00:13:14.221 And maybe the Phoenicians. 00:13:14.762 --> 00:13:18.453 It was more beautiful than that and nicer than that. 00:13:19.095 --> 00:13:23.409 When the sun rises in the morning, it hits, we had the schools place, 00:13:23.975 --> 00:13:26.847 there was all yards, decorated as they call it. 00:13:27.517 --> 00:13:30.073 There were no buildings or schools or anything, 00:13:30.584 --> 00:13:32.860 there was the Sun Temple, as they call it. 00:13:33.603 --> 00:13:38.509 Tal El Akhdar boarders it from here. the south, Tal El Akhdar, and Ammiq. 00:13:39.456 --> 00:13:41.366 Tal El Akhdar belongs to Qob Elias. 00:13:42.138 --> 00:13:43.808 But Ammiq belongs to west Bekaa. 00:13:44.553 --> 00:13:47.413 From the east, El Marj village. 00:13:48.376 --> 00:13:53.548 And from the south, I mean the north, Chtoura. 00:13:56.231 --> 00:14:01.331 And from the west, the mountain and then Ain Dara. 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:18.029 Lots of history. Lots to cover. 00:14:18.737 --> 00:14:20.667 Of course, Qob Elias is rich with history, as you can see. 00:14:21.280 --> 00:14:23.297 And almost all civilizations passed through Qob Elias. 00:14:24.253 --> 00:14:27.569 Of course, because it exists on both sides of the river. 00:14:27.569 --> 00:14:29.865 So a side was Mrayjet and a side was Qob Elias. 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:32.580 Now, all of it is Qob Elias. 00:14:44.328 --> 00:14:46.735 We reached Ras El Ain area which very famous here. 00:14:46.930 --> 00:14:51.748 Where water starts. We are seeing around us iron pipes left and right. 00:14:52.023 --> 00:14:54.853 Unfortunately, they're damaged. Now we were talking about this topic, 00:14:54.853 --> 00:14:59.475 that there was a water station, a power station but it stopped from a long time ago. 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:02.083 So the pipes rusted and started to break. 00:15:02.665 --> 00:15:07.500 Nice walk, I can tell you that the walk is very nice. We can go forwards for more than 20 minutes and see 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:12.200 where the river starts. But they are waiting for us in the village, and I started to feel hungry. 00:15:35.078 --> 00:15:40.591 Good morning. Good morning. How are you? How are you? Welcome. Good. 00:15:40.591 --> 00:15:43.731 Hello. Hello. How are you? God bless you. 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:47.473 The table and the smell in your house, it's crazy. 00:15:47.848 --> 00:15:53.905 Hiam Alaaeddine from Qob Elias. I've been working for 10 years with Mouneh and 00:15:53.905 --> 00:15:56.688 Arabic food as well as foreign food. 00:15:57.551 --> 00:16:05.114 Stuffed vine leaves, Coxinha, Empanada, Empanada Con Pino, chicken croquettes, 00:16:06.008 --> 00:16:11.238 Tabouli, different kinds of pumpkin Kebbeh with all stuffing, potato Kebbeh, 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:16.649 everything you need is found here. This is Tabouli with village parsley 00:16:16.649 --> 00:16:18.345 also with olive oil. 00:16:20.770 --> 00:16:22.900 Lemon is also from the mountains. 00:16:29.060 --> 00:16:29.900 Tell us about catering. 00:16:31.795 --> 00:16:35.468 I work from home. I've been for almost 8 years. 00:16:37.549 --> 00:16:40.869 I developed my work, I work with NGOs, I participate. 00:16:42.224 --> 00:16:47.164 Now I am still developing. I am learning and doing everything new. 00:16:48.603 --> 00:16:53.486 Stuffed vine leaves with oil. As they say, the leaves are from village. 00:16:53.686 --> 00:16:57.686 I make everything, I get them during season and cut them, sort and organize them, 00:16:57.686 --> 00:17:01.526 and I press them and keep them ready for when there is an order. 00:17:11.030 --> 00:17:11.490 Wow. 00:17:12.116 --> 00:17:14.787 No, the food is very nice. 00:17:17.576 --> 00:17:18.356 Finally, 00:17:23.741 --> 00:17:28.651 as it should be. Passion of home, taste of home, the perfect flavors. 00:17:29.282 --> 00:17:32.338 The Tabouli has perfect lemon, it pinches a bit. 00:17:33.458 --> 00:17:35.953 The oil is exact. Fresh ingredients. 00:17:39.376 --> 00:17:39.976 Perfect. 00:17:44.104 --> 00:17:44.624 Perfect. 00:17:46.490 --> 00:17:47.830 Your food is amazing. 00:17:48.612 --> 00:17:52.001 There are still these? They became red, we forgot them. 00:17:52.001 --> 00:17:54.681 Let me exchange them. Amazing amazing amazing, 00:17:54.927 --> 00:17:59.877 Enjoy enjoy, welcome. I hope the better and nicer will happen. 00:18:00.317 --> 00:18:00.875 And the more delicious. 00:18:01.091 --> 00:18:02.911 Wow. Impressive. 00:18:03.284 --> 00:18:06.834 I thought that I am done, and I said no, I want to have some bites without eating a lot. 00:18:07.207 --> 00:18:10.657 But the potato Kebbeh stuffed with meat. You're having it with Labneh, yes? 00:18:11.091 --> 00:18:11.841 Impressive. 00:18:12.427 --> 00:18:18.447 The crisp on the outside, flakiness, craziness. It's super juicy on the inside and extremely flavorful. 00:18:19.396 --> 00:18:22.605 Put everything aside, there is an obvious passion. 00:19:26.202 --> 00:19:29.374 Welcome. We're waiting for you wherever you are, in Lebanon and the world. 00:19:29.374 --> 00:19:30.224 Come visit us. 00:19:50.381 --> 00:19:52.343 Welcome guys. God bless you. 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:58.429 We've been here since 1982. 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.879 We work with cheeses and Labneh. 00:20:03.731 --> 00:20:07.881 Labneh, cheese, Halloum, double cream, Akkawi, Baladi. 00:20:08.962 --> 00:20:09.912 It is all natural milk. 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:14.469 There is a proper boiler. It becomes frothy in 30 mins. 00:20:16.025 --> 00:20:18.647 We take it for making yogurt or cheese. 00:20:19.456 --> 00:20:21.246 They are on the tables. 00:20:22.032 --> 00:20:23.182 Cheese on the tables. 00:20:24.125 --> 00:20:27.075 We press it by the press. Here, this cheese is pressed. 00:20:29.044 --> 00:20:30.334 This is pressed by the press. 00:20:31.889 --> 00:20:34.872 We put a specific amount of salt and we pack it in boxes and cans, 00:20:35.782 --> 00:20:38.122 in salty water. Everything is 100% naturally made on the old way. 00:20:38.122 --> 00:20:43.713 There isn't any preservatives or powder or starch or any artificial materials. 00:20:44.134 --> 00:20:47.094 As the milk comes, we work with it, and we put it, 00:20:47.094 --> 00:20:50.248 we don't soak it, and cheese is put in cans, as it is. 00:21:14.868 --> 00:21:19.616 Good morning. Good morning, welcome. Welcome welcome. Chateau Heritage. 00:21:20.317 --> 00:21:24.787 About Qob Elias, I have to tell you, I am the ex mayor. 00:21:25.178 --> 00:21:28.838 I used to say, it's the capital of the world and the center of the universe. 00:21:29.465 --> 00:21:34.827 So now, Chateau Heritage is the capital of the world and the center of the universe. Welcome. 00:21:35.231 --> 00:21:36.771 It's an honor to have you. 00:21:37.238 --> 00:21:41.238 Thank you. First, congratulations for the new award. 00:21:41.238 --> 00:21:44.575 You're a pride to this nation. 00:21:45.207 --> 00:21:46.507 Thank you. Welcome. Thank you. 00:21:47.326 --> 00:21:51.876 The square is very nice, as if it is Hacienda. As if it is a place for horses, 00:21:51.876 --> 00:21:55.876 as if we traveled to Portugal or Spain, and we are in the center of Lebanon. 00:21:56.025 --> 00:21:57.605 You enter from a door to another. 00:21:58.033 --> 00:22:02.433 Originally, from the entrance, the atmosphere and the vibes are amazing, 00:22:03.602 --> 00:22:04.322 Chateau Heritage 00:22:05.546 --> 00:22:09.638 Let's tour and see what do they have. It's an old school built in 1927. 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:14.235 This is actually the courtyard. The classes were here. They come to the courtyard. 00:22:15.043 --> 00:22:19.396 So when we bought it, it was utterly destroyed by the war. 00:22:19.899 --> 00:22:23.339 It passed in phases where it was a chicken and cow farm at one time, 00:22:23.636 --> 00:22:28.616 a carton factory at another time, but when we bought it, it was completely damaged. 00:22:28.616 --> 00:22:32.436 It had many bullets and bombs. 00:22:33.074 --> 00:22:39.634 So we refurbished and adapted it to become a winery. 00:22:40.161 --> 00:22:45.071 We are the sons of Elias Touma. One of the founders of Arak Touma. 00:22:45.887 --> 00:22:51.757 So we are fourth generation wine makers. I went to the states and studied 00:22:51.757 --> 00:22:53.064 chemical engineer. 00:22:53.738 --> 00:22:57.211 The masters in indology, PhD in food and beverage science. 00:22:57.211 --> 00:23:01.581 So my friends call me Dr. D, Dr. Dargham. So it's Dr. D. 00:23:03.482 --> 00:23:04.472 What else do we tell you? 00:23:04.942 --> 00:23:08.264 When I started here it was a very primitive operation. 00:23:09.258 --> 00:23:13.966 Now, the vats that you are seeing are imported vats. 00:23:14.608 --> 00:23:17.572 It's for show and pictures. You know, like a portrait. 00:23:17.572 --> 00:23:20.602 But in the rest of the winery there are vats that I've done myself. 00:23:20.602 --> 00:23:23.009 I've welded myself, I've done myself. 00:23:24.703 --> 00:23:27.814 They are called, you know, colt of the business, they do everything. 00:23:28.498 --> 00:23:33.588 So Chateau Heritage was founded in 1997. That's when I came back from the states. 00:23:33.818 --> 00:23:35.448 I started working in 1997. 00:23:35.867 --> 00:23:39.597 2 years prior, we made wine. 00:23:40.192 --> 00:23:42.462 88 and 91, now we will show you what are they. 00:23:43.357 --> 00:23:48.397 And it is a family business. My siblings and I, 00:23:48.397 --> 00:23:49.845 it is a family operation. 00:23:50.247 --> 00:23:53.717 May my father rest in peace, he was a big part of the business, 00:23:53.717 --> 00:23:55.097 he died 4-5 years ago. 00:23:58.105 --> 00:24:02.285 The patron saint, all wineries of the world have a patron saint. 00:24:03.510 --> 00:24:07.510 Because sometimes you do the science to the maximum, a time comes, 00:24:07.598 --> 00:24:11.598 things mess up. You have to refer to a higher power, so 00:24:11.598 --> 00:24:17.736 we light candles and such things. Patron saint of out winery is St. Elias, in honor of our father. 00:25:00.033 --> 00:25:05.554 This is 1 of 2 sellers of wine. Now we'll go up there to the second. 00:25:06.811 --> 00:25:08.937 This is where wine comes to be aged. 00:25:10.520 --> 00:25:13.330 I'm not a humongous fan of oak. 00:25:14.183 --> 00:25:20.383 Because it covers, it masks the smells and fruits of the wine. 00:25:20.689 --> 00:25:27.877 But nonetheless, some wines need oak, and we, personally I am American educated, 00:25:28.712 --> 00:25:34.163 but to be honest, I tried French oak, what I found to be the best for Lebanese 00:25:36.401 --> 00:25:38.447 tannins and weather and things 00:25:39.173 --> 00:25:42.139 is American oak. Because when I started using that, 00:25:43.524 --> 00:25:48.140 ever since, I'm winning best Lebanese wine in the world consecutively every year. 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:49.545 Both in Bordeaux and elsewhere. 00:25:50.101 --> 00:25:54.421 And to commemorate you winning the award, now up there. Thank you so much. 00:25:55.606 --> 00:25:58.831 We took it from here, it has mold which is okay. 00:25:58.831 --> 00:26:05.707 This is the 2003 which has won about 6 golden awards all over the world 00:26:06.185 --> 00:26:08.100 including best Lebanese wine. 00:26:08.564 --> 00:26:13.840 You don't drink these being careless. After the car trip, 00:26:14.378 --> 00:26:18.718 you have to leave it for about 10 days because it's going to shake. 00:26:19.293 --> 00:26:24.316 And you open the other one on a very nice occasion. 00:26:25.141 --> 00:26:29.141 But in both cases, you should decant them. 00:26:29.490 --> 00:26:34.475 Please, because I am not teaching you, but it's for the info. 00:26:35.021 --> 00:26:38.487 Second, for it to have oxygen and stretch. 00:26:38.954 --> 00:26:41.444 This has been stuck in the bottle for 30 years. 00:26:41.806 --> 00:26:43.026 So it needs stretching. 00:26:43.358 --> 00:26:44.948 Give it some oxygen to stretch. 00:26:45.310 --> 00:26:48.720 How great. How great, the spider is working down, 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:50.029 turning and having fun. 00:26:50.408 --> 00:26:59.170 The woods are resting, the wines being aged and are becoming sacred, if we can say that. 00:26:59.170 --> 00:27:00.580 I can stay for hours down there. 00:27:01.423 --> 00:27:04.203 But I asked I question, if it was a school and there was such a thing, 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:06.370 what did students do down there? 00:27:08.158 --> 00:27:09.638 This is a cellar for tourists. 00:27:12.751 --> 00:27:17.232 This is where we put family reserve high end wines. 00:27:24.452 --> 00:27:30.100 Chateau Heritage Nine. 9 grape varieties, the most popular 9 grape varieties in Lebanon. 00:27:30.570 --> 00:27:31.659 Unoaked wine. 00:27:33.477 --> 00:27:39.840 Château Heritage Plaisir du Vin. This si made out of 3, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Syrah, and Cinsault. 00:27:40.423 --> 00:27:41.173 Slightly oaked. 00:27:42.852 --> 00:27:44.952 This is Syrah. It is a single varietal. 00:27:45.690 --> 00:27:51.810 This is the Cuvee Saint Elie which we released to commemorate the passing of my father. 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:54.250 And I would tell you the story about this. 00:27:54.841 --> 00:27:57.431 This is made of my father's favorite grapes. 00:27:57.625 --> 00:28:01.843 Cabernet-Sauvignon and Cinsault. Well, the story goes that 00:28:02.242 --> 00:28:07.489 my father was a huge fan of Cinsault because it is what's he's used to work with. 00:28:07.841 --> 00:28:14.202 When I came to work with the wines, I told him that Cabernet-Sauvignon is the toughest 00:28:14.986 --> 00:28:16.358 mother f* out there. 00:28:17.003 --> 00:28:21.107 He said why. It's because anywhere you cultivate it in the world, it thrives. 00:28:21.107 --> 00:28:25.737 He said, you know what, this Cabernet-Sauvignon is exactly like the Lebanese people. 00:28:25.737 --> 00:28:27.978 anywhere you put them in the world, they rule. 00:28:28.562 --> 00:28:32.055 So, to commemorate his passing, we did a blend of the 2. 00:28:32.147 --> 00:28:34.367 Cabernet-Sauvignon and Cinsault. 00:28:35.043 --> 00:28:43.175 This is the Chateau Heritage, which is a blend of Syrah in American oak, second wine. 00:28:43.883 --> 00:28:51.373 And the family reserve, which is a small vineyard. A 30 year old vineyard. 00:28:51.878 --> 00:28:55.486 In the past, the Cab and Syrah in it, during the times of my father, 00:28:55.809 --> 00:28:59.809 it was fed to sheep. Because the fruit of Cab and Syrah is small, 00:28:59.809 --> 00:29:00.537 it doesn't yield. 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:03.720 The Cinsault is that big and it yields, this makes money. 00:29:04.286 --> 00:29:06.516 The Cab and Syrah were fed to sheep. 00:29:07.385 --> 00:29:11.123 So, it does't yield a lot, it's around 5,000-6,000 bottles. 00:29:11.737 --> 00:29:16.199 But it is so old, the vineyards are so old, the wine is so dense. 00:29:17.222 --> 00:29:20.063 Put it with the American oak, brand new barrels, 00:29:20.425 --> 00:29:25.435 and you were winning the best Lebanese wine in the world consistently. 00:29:26.757 --> 00:29:29.557 We're going to try, the Nine, 00:29:31.202 --> 00:29:38.142 which is made from 9 most popular grapes used in Lebanon. 00:29:39.890 --> 00:29:40.890 It is 00:29:42.116 --> 00:29:44.854 wine critics call it, Lebanon in a bottle. 00:30:02.080 --> 00:30:05.584 We start with its beautiful smell. It is very light and smooth. 00:30:05.927 --> 00:30:09.133 Most importantly, you don't smell the wood which usually covers everything. 00:30:10.265 --> 00:30:11.105 Very smooth. 00:30:11.965 --> 00:30:15.516 There is a fresh feeling. 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:21.450 Earthy, floral, all combined, I won't say the smell of Lebanon, but it is very light. 00:30:21.726 --> 00:30:22.366 And then 00:30:25.887 --> 00:30:28.476 extremely smooth. Extremely balanced. 00:30:29.249 --> 00:30:33.249 Lightly acidic. Enjoyably acidic, it tickles the sides of the tongue. 00:30:33.484 --> 00:30:36.537 It doesn't burn the throat, it does not dry the palate. 00:30:37.346 --> 00:30:42.906 And you say bam! Each person who didn't drink this thing yet, is missing a lot. 00:30:45.620 --> 00:30:49.220 Now, it's because we took it from down there, where I told you. 00:30:49.554 --> 00:30:51.304 It is the 2003. 00:30:52.347 --> 00:30:56.947 Here, we put 4/6 gold awards it has won. 00:30:59.802 --> 00:31:05.298 This is honestly, also, I am not modest, 00:31:05.967 --> 00:31:11.811 but this is one of the best wines in the world you could ever taste. 00:31:12.499 --> 00:31:13.989 I am responsible of my words. 00:31:14.641 --> 00:31:19.803 So when you open in and taste it in an occasion, after you open it for an hour, 00:31:20.922 --> 00:31:25.832 give me a call and tell me if I am right or I'm full of bullshit. 00:31:28.531 --> 00:31:31.381 How beautiful. How beautiful. 00:31:32.289 --> 00:31:34.659 We finished tasting and we will continue the tour. 00:31:35.127 --> 00:31:36.207 Amazing experience. 00:31:36.702 --> 00:31:38.652 I promised them that this is not the last visit. 00:31:39.295 --> 00:31:41.525 Next time, there is meat with barbecue. 00:31:42.324 --> 00:31:43.234 And some more wine. 00:31:54.901 --> 00:31:59.471 I use the best crumble, of corse, there is the Falghona, 00:32:00.009 --> 00:32:02.349 and I also use the Calbeau. 00:32:02.349 --> 00:32:05.807 And from when I started, I sell online. 00:32:06.226 --> 00:32:08.206 We deliver to houses. 00:32:08.772 --> 00:32:13.722 These are square praline with feuillantine. Milk and dark. 00:32:14.254 --> 00:32:17.924 There is the praline sphere with a hazelnut in the center. 00:32:18.895 --> 00:32:21.695 These are nuts covered with chocolate. 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:25.510 This is raspberry caramel with feuillantine. 00:32:25.773 --> 00:32:28.781 Speculoos cream with cashew nuts. 00:32:29.416 --> 00:32:36.014 The best seller of Ebene is caramel with exotic fruits and white chocolate. 00:32:37.571 --> 00:32:41.821 These are almonds covered with dark chocolate. 00:32:41.930 --> 00:32:49.900 A caramel flower of salt. Caramel with sesame, praline with sesame and some caramel. 00:32:50.913 --> 00:32:53.163 I tasted on Instagram and I forgot that I am filming for YouTube. 00:32:53.744 --> 00:32:58.463 I tasted 3 pieces of chocolate. I should make you live the experience again because it is crazy. 00:32:58.940 --> 00:33:02.043 When someone reaches here, and crunches special chocolate, 00:33:02.396 --> 00:33:06.396 the problem with chocolate for most people is tempering, how chewy and sticky it is, 00:33:06.890 --> 00:33:11.348 its quality, how sweet and how much sugar does it has and the aftertaste it leaves in the throat. 00:33:11.988 --> 00:33:16.586 Put all these aside. When you reach and you find out about a chocolate 00:33:17.219 --> 00:33:20.652 that firm, with such a nice stand, and nice crunch. 00:33:22.373 --> 00:33:22.983 Wow. 00:33:24.821 --> 00:33:27.261 The taste is delicious and it is addictive. 00:33:28.030 --> 00:33:29.380 With light sweetness. 00:33:32.926 --> 00:33:35.076 I am staying here. Continue the tour on your own. 00:33:36.166 --> 00:33:36.656 Move. 00:33:38.023 --> 00:33:39.693 I'm coming, I want to finish them. 00:33:56.717 --> 00:33:59.157 Welcome to Chateau St Thomas. 00:34:00.080 --> 00:34:06.750 Chateau St Thomas is a winery for Touma family. 00:34:07.468 --> 00:34:11.729 We've been in the business, the alcohol business, since 1888. 00:34:12.071 --> 00:34:13.081 We started with Arak. 00:34:13.821 --> 00:34:21.678 And in the 1990s, we started with wine, so we took these lands and started to plant them, 00:34:21.678 --> 00:34:29.910 we imported grape varieties from outside, the Cabernet-Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, 00:34:29.910 --> 00:34:31.727 Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc. 00:34:34.523 --> 00:34:40.643 And in the 1995, we almost started the construction of the winery, 00:34:41.430 --> 00:34:47.200 so as you can notice here, this area is a bit rocky. 00:34:48.808 --> 00:34:52.808 The winery has a story. It has a church, guests are welcomed. 00:34:52.808 --> 00:34:56.290 Tell us a bit about the setup here. Here, the area is rocky. 00:34:56.290 --> 00:35:01.312 We drilled in rocks to make a cave, an underground cellar. 00:35:01.816 --> 00:35:09.660 To maintain the humidity and specific temperature to keep the wooden barrels. 00:35:10.218 --> 00:35:15.198 And when we were drilling, we had like a small cave, we liked to expand it 00:35:15.198 --> 00:35:20.448 and make a chapel dedicated to St Thomas. 00:35:20.989 --> 00:35:23.785 Usually, we start the visit 9n the chapel. 00:35:26.668 --> 00:35:31.778 Here is the entrance of the main cave. I will go down to guide the pathway. 00:35:33.830 --> 00:35:42.327 We kept the rocks as they are, naturally, to keep the specific humidity 00:35:42.327 --> 00:35:45.992 which should be between 65-80 %. 00:35:46.733 --> 00:35:51.612 And the temperature which should be constant to preserve the wine. 00:35:52.430 --> 00:35:57.676 So in winter, when it rains here, the area is rich with water, so 00:35:57.676 --> 00:35:59.972 the rocks starts to moisture on their own. 00:36:01.984 --> 00:36:07.912 In summer, when the temperature is very high and the humidity is low, we help them a bit 00:36:07.912 --> 00:36:15.568 by spraying some water in the cave to get back the needed humidity for the wooden barrels. 00:36:41.100 --> 00:36:45.100 This is our Obeidy bottle. 00:36:46.049 --> 00:36:48.619 It is made from the Obeidy kind of grapes. 00:36:49.848 --> 00:36:54.394 The Obeidy is known from a long time ago in Lebanon as an edible grape. 00:36:55.129 --> 00:36:59.940 And Arak is made from this grape. We make Arak from a long time ago from Obeidy. 00:37:01.056 --> 00:37:09.103 So we liked, in Chateau St Thomas, in addition to using international grape variety, 00:37:09.594 --> 00:37:13.639 highlight more on the local indigenous variety which is here in Lebanon. 00:37:14.278 --> 00:37:20.000 So we worked on Obeidy and what did we make, we studied its origin. 00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:21.480 We studied the 00:37:23.068 --> 00:37:28.858 the DNA. We checked the DNA and the results were that it is unique and not similar to any 00:37:28.858 --> 00:37:35.831 known international grape variety in the world so this ensured that it is 100% Lebanese. 00:37:36.581 --> 00:37:37.831 So by this way, 00:37:38.931 --> 00:37:44.910 we liked that who drink wine, even outside of Lebanon, 00:37:45.419 --> 00:37:48.329 to know that in Lebanon, we have the Obeidy. 00:37:48.939 --> 00:37:53.439 For example, like how in Bordeaux are known for Merlot grapes, 00:37:54.158 --> 00:37:58.512 or the Burgundy region are known for Pinot Noir. 00:37:58.862 --> 00:38:04.510 So we liked Lebanon to be internationally known for the Obeidy kind. 00:38:04.975 --> 00:38:09.586 This is a preview of Nour el Ain, St Thomas, The Diamond. 00:38:09.586 --> 00:38:13.586 Rose, coming due very very soon. When do we expect it to be in markets? 00:38:14.142 --> 00:38:20.514 Now, we're launching it in the winery. Ok, so a reason to come here. 00:38:20.854 --> 00:38:28.254 It is called Nour el Ain because in English it is the pink diamond. 00:38:30.807 --> 00:38:34.807 So we liked to give it a Lebanese Arabic name. 00:38:34.929 --> 00:38:40.399 We met in Souk el Akel and they were from the few people, or maybe the only winery that believed in us 00:38:40.640 --> 00:38:45.040 and accepted to participate in Souk el Akel. They had a stand. Even if it's a street food market at night, 00:38:45.217 --> 00:38:49.777 people used to take wine glasses or bottles and tour and have fun while eating.