1 00:00:14,534 --> 00:00:16,677 It was a bread bakery and it became a Manakish bakery. 2 00:00:25,663 --> 00:00:29,333 Hello Anthony, how are you? Good? I hope so, happy holidays. 3 00:00:31,041 --> 00:00:34,553 You are at Chafic Bou Assaly Bakery in Qob Elias. 4 00:00:35,430 --> 00:00:38,013 This is a thyme Manoucheh. We are making it now. 5 00:00:38,013 --> 00:00:39,389 This is a mixed Manoucheh. 6 00:00:40,675 --> 00:00:45,911 Mhammara Manoucheh. This bakery has been here since 1958. 7 00:00:46,523 --> 00:00:47,763 Since the times of my late father. 8 00:00:49,287 --> 00:00:54,820 First, it was a bread bakery. Then it became a Manakish and pastry bakery in 1965. 9 00:00:55,201 --> 00:00:58,111 Good morning. Good morning Anthony, welcome to Qob Elias. 10 00:00:58,111 --> 00:00:59,214 We're happy that you're here. 11 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 12 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. 13 00:01:07,633 --> 00:01:10,510 So we're on. Ahmad, tell me about you. 14 00:01:10,908 --> 00:01:14,967 Thank God, good. I've been here for almost a year and a month. 15 00:01:15,365 --> 00:01:19,365 From Canada. I liked to come and see Lebanon, and get my kids to Lebanon. 16 00:01:19,365 --> 00:01:23,365 Because Lebanon is the most beautiful country in the world. I follow you a lot. 17 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. 18 00:01:27,365 --> 00:01:31,365 I am working in Lebanon. We have about 6 stops today. 19 00:01:31,365 --> 00:01:34,635 We will see the oldest bakery in Qob Elias and in the area. 20 00:01:35,107 --> 00:01:41,883 We will see another bakery for one of the most charismatic people in Qob Elias. 21 00:01:42,737 --> 00:01:46,188 We will see the largest vegetable market in the area, in the Middle East. 22 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. 23 00:02:07,568 --> 00:02:10,923 We will start with the thyme Manoucheh. Soft soft soft. 24 00:02:11,431 --> 00:02:12,481 Large and filling. 25 00:02:16,123 --> 00:02:18,603 I loved it a lot. Maximum soft. 26 00:02:19,006 --> 00:02:21,696 Filling, generous, the thyme is good. 27 00:02:23,498 --> 00:02:25,748 It is not chewy. Very fluffy. 28 00:02:26,773 --> 00:02:28,493 The dough is properly soaked with oil. 29 00:02:31,434 --> 00:02:32,034 Great start. 30 00:02:33,726 --> 00:02:34,626 Then they have this. 31 00:02:35,353 --> 00:02:36,713 What is this! About a kilogram. 32 00:02:37,237 --> 00:02:38,207 3 kinds of cheese. 33 00:02:39,366 --> 00:02:39,962 A mix. 34 00:02:42,795 --> 00:02:43,385 Wow. 35 00:02:45,067 --> 00:02:46,683 That is something. 36 00:02:48,204 --> 00:02:49,274 Super something. 37 00:02:51,676 --> 00:02:52,376 All these. 38 00:02:54,915 --> 00:02:56,530 Enjoy enjoy. 39 00:03:02,158 --> 00:03:04,158 This is a big thing. 40 00:03:31,429 --> 00:03:34,429 Abou Alaa Bakery. You're close to my heart, I respect you. 41 00:03:34,429 --> 00:03:35,739 All kinds of Manakish. 42 00:03:36,618 --> 00:03:38,288 Welcome. You're close to my heart. 43 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. 44 00:03:47,935 --> 00:03:51,935 This is the thyme. The bakery is related to thyme, they initially say, a thyme bakery. 45 00:03:52,882 --> 00:03:57,722 Then, the other kinds come. But originally, they say that this bakery is a thyme bakery. 46 00:06:24,208 --> 00:06:25,865 You're welcome a hundred times. 47 00:06:27,913 --> 00:06:29,378 One for me and one for you. 48 00:06:29,715 --> 00:06:32,852 The Manoucheh is wrapped like a sandwich, like a school sandwich. 49 00:06:38,310 --> 00:06:39,337 You have to try it. 50 00:06:41,308 --> 00:06:42,178 Super soft. 51 00:06:48,768 --> 00:06:51,161 Super smooth. Super simple. 52 00:06:52,231 --> 00:06:54,871 Light and clean, delicious, uncomplicated. 53 00:06:56,437 --> 00:06:57,347 Comforting. 54 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:02,460 Unbelievable. 55 00:07:08,251 --> 00:07:09,231 I memorized the location. 56 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. 57 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. 58 00:07:54,351 --> 00:07:58,351 I am responsable for the market and now I will take you to 59 00:07:58,940 --> 00:08:01,659 Sheikh Wajih Al Amoury, he will tell you more about the topic. 60 00:08:09,789 --> 00:08:11,981 This vegetable market was established in 1997. 61 00:08:13,604 --> 00:08:17,214 A group of traders, in agreement with the municipality, made this market 62 00:08:17,214 --> 00:08:22,152 with effort and energy and it is from the best Lebanese markets 63 00:08:22,378 --> 00:08:24,328 and from the most organized Lebanese markets. 64 00:08:25,091 --> 00:08:30,521 The market is made up of 121 garages or doors, 65 00:08:31,186 --> 00:08:33,246 and about 60 corporations are there. 66 00:08:35,066 --> 00:08:40,408 This market, almost all production of Al Bekaa, 67 00:08:41,268 --> 00:08:42,428 comes to this market. 68 00:08:43,429 --> 00:08:47,999 The market during summer, all Lebanese markets come take from this market. 69 00:08:49,644 --> 00:08:53,978 Even for traveling and exporting, this market gives the products. 70 00:08:53,978 --> 00:08:55,382 Traders sell everything in this market. 71 00:08:55,982 --> 00:08:56,542 It is organized. 72 00:08:57,251 --> 00:09:00,065 There is a committee or union for this market. 73 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. 74 00:09:05,696 --> 00:09:07,833 It can fit more amount of products. 75 00:09:35,005 --> 00:09:37,857 Just come and fill your sight with colors. 76 00:09:38,438 --> 00:09:40,348 From a place to a place to a place. 77 00:09:40,678 --> 00:09:43,143 All kinds of vegetables. Very good condition and very clean. 78 00:09:43,143 --> 00:09:46,651 Some are in plastic boxes, or carton boxes, or bags. 79 00:09:47,115 --> 00:09:51,765 You can find all what you need in very good prices. 80 00:09:52,182 --> 00:09:56,182 As you can see, the organization, cleanliness, calmness, there is no shouting. 81 00:09:56,597 --> 00:09:57,447 I was not expecting that. 82 00:09:58,289 --> 00:09:58,739 Very nice. 83 00:09:59,179 --> 00:10:01,633 It is the biggest in the Middle East, and I have not came to here before. 84 00:10:02,526 --> 00:10:02,936 Oops. 85 00:10:16,214 --> 00:10:18,707 Very very professional. Very professional. 86 00:10:18,707 --> 00:10:21,319 Impressive. And I am still walking and I do not feel like stopping. 87 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. 88 00:10:26,263 --> 00:10:30,263 Our prices here are very good, package prices. Our products are very clean, 89 00:10:30,263 --> 00:10:33,668 products with clean water, most of it is clean water, artesian. 90 00:11:17,110 --> 00:11:18,340 Qob Elias products. 91 00:12:14,301 --> 00:12:17,266 Look, there is a very old Sun Temple. 92 00:12:17,266 --> 00:12:20,117 Of course, we will go there later on and talk about it. 93 00:12:20,117 --> 00:12:21,417 If you want to capture it from here, the picture would look very nice. 94 00:12:23,103 --> 00:12:26,307 How many of you did know that there is a Sun Temple in Qob Elias? 95 00:12:26,562 --> 00:12:27,492 We pass through this road 96 00:12:28,390 --> 00:12:32,751 always, we all pass through this road. We all go all the way 97 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:37,000 to a beautiful area called Ammiq. Did we ever look to the right at this mountain? 98 00:12:37,604 --> 00:12:39,844 A temple, they say that it has been here for more than 6,000 years. 99 00:12:40,895 --> 00:12:43,275 Wow, we will go and see it together later on. 100 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. 101 00:12:48,493 --> 00:12:49,993 Mahyidinne Toufic Hatoum. 102 00:12:52,512 --> 00:12:55,462 I have been a mayor since 1985. 103 00:12:56,898 --> 00:12:57,258 Yes. 104 00:12:58,199 --> 00:13:00,859 And in the village, there are almost 105 00:13:01,669 --> 00:13:04,079 70,000 person. 106 00:13:04,825 --> 00:13:09,435 Its history is very old. Its history, there's Haidar remains, as they call it. 107 00:13:10,115 --> 00:13:12,425 This dates back to the Romans era. 108 00:13:13,081 --> 00:13:14,221 And maybe the Phoenicians. 109 00:13:14,762 --> 00:13:18,453 It was more beautiful than that and nicer than that. 110 00:13:19,095 --> 00:13:23,409 When the sun rises in the morning, it hits, we had the schools place, 111 00:13:23,975 --> 00:13:26,847 there was all yards, decorated as they call it. 112 00:13:27,517 --> 00:13:30,073 There were no buildings or schools or anything, 113 00:13:30,584 --> 00:13:32,860 there was the Sun Temple, as they call it. 114 00:13:33,603 --> 00:13:38,509 Tal El Akhdar boarders it from here. the south, Tal El Akhdar, and Ammiq. 115 00:13:39,456 --> 00:13:41,366 Tal El Akhdar belongs to Qob Elias. 116 00:13:42,138 --> 00:13:43,808 But Ammiq belongs to west Bekaa. 117 00:13:44,553 --> 00:13:47,413 From the east, El Marj village. 118 00:13:48,376 --> 00:13:53,548 And from the south, I mean the north, Chtoura. 119 00:13:56,231 --> 00:14:01,331 And from the west, the mountain and then Ain Dara. 120 00:14:15,899 --> 00:14:18,029 Lots of history. Lots to cover. 121 00:14:18,737 --> 00:14:20,667 Of course, Qob Elias is rich with history, as you can see. 122 00:14:21,280 --> 00:14:23,297 And almost all civilizations passed through Qob Elias. 123 00:14:24,253 --> 00:14:27,569 Of course, because it exists on both sides of the river. 124 00:14:27,569 --> 00:14:29,865 So a side was Mrayjet and a side was Qob Elias. 125 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:32,580 Now, all of it is Qob Elias. 126 00:14:44,328 --> 00:14:46,735 We reached Ras El Ain area which very famous here. 127 00:14:46,930 --> 00:14:51,748 Where water starts. We are seeing around us iron pipes left and right. 128 00:14:52,023 --> 00:14:54,853 Unfortunately, they're damaged. Now we were talking about this topic, 129 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. 130 00:14:59,679 --> 00:15:02,083 So the pipes rusted and started to break. 131 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 132 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. 133 00:15:35,078 --> 00:15:40,591 Good morning. Good morning. How are you? How are you? Welcome. Good. 134 00:15:40,591 --> 00:15:43,731 Hello. Hello. How are you? God bless you. 135 00:15:45,159 --> 00:15:47,473 The table and the smell in your house, it's crazy. 136 00:15:47,848 --> 00:15:53,905 Hiam Alaaeddine from Qob Elias. I've been working for 10 years with Mouneh and 137 00:15:53,905 --> 00:15:56,688 Arabic food as well as foreign food. 138 00:15:57,551 --> 00:16:05,114 Stuffed vine leaves, Coxinha, Empanada, Empanada Con Pino, chicken croquettes, 139 00:16:06,008 --> 00:16:11,238 Tabouli, different kinds of pumpkin Kebbeh with all stuffing, potato Kebbeh, 140 00:16:12,019 --> 00:16:16,649 everything you need is found here. This is Tabouli with village parsley 141 00:16:16,649 --> 00:16:18,345 also with olive oil. 142 00:16:20,770 --> 00:16:22,900 Lemon is also from the mountains. 143 00:16:29,060 --> 00:16:29,900 Tell us about catering. 144 00:16:31,795 --> 00:16:35,468 I work from home. I've been for almost 8 years. 145 00:16:37,549 --> 00:16:40,869 I developed my work, I work with NGOs, I participate. 146 00:16:42,224 --> 00:16:47,164 Now I am still developing. I am learning and doing everything new. 147 00:16:48,603 --> 00:16:53,486 Stuffed vine leaves with oil. As they say, the leaves are from village. 148 00:16:53,686 --> 00:16:57,686 I make everything, I get them during season and cut them, sort and organize them, 149 00:16:57,686 --> 00:17:01,526 and I press them and keep them ready for when there is an order. 150 00:17:11,030 --> 00:17:11,490 Wow. 151 00:17:12,116 --> 00:17:14,787 No, the food is very nice. 152 00:17:17,576 --> 00:17:18,356 Finally, 153 00:17:23,741 --> 00:17:28,651 as it should be. Passion of home, taste of home, the perfect flavors. 154 00:17:29,282 --> 00:17:32,338 The Tabouli has perfect lemon, it pinches a bit. 155 00:17:33,458 --> 00:17:35,953 The oil is exact. Fresh ingredients. 156 00:17:39,376 --> 00:17:39,976 Perfect. 157 00:17:44,104 --> 00:17:44,624 Perfect. 158 00:17:46,490 --> 00:17:47,830 Your food is amazing. 159 00:17:48,612 --> 00:17:52,001 There are still these? They became red, we forgot them. 160 00:17:52,001 --> 00:17:54,681 Let me exchange them. Amazing amazing amazing, 161 00:17:54,927 --> 00:17:59,877 Enjoy enjoy, welcome. I hope the better and nicer will happen. 162 00:18:00,317 --> 00:18:00,875 And the more delicious. 163 00:18:01,091 --> 00:18:02,911 Wow. Impressive. 164 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. 165 00:18:07,207 --> 00:18:10,657 But the potato Kebbeh stuffed with meat. You're having it with Labneh, yes? 166 00:18:11,091 --> 00:18:11,841 Impressive. 167 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. 168 00:18:19,396 --> 00:18:22,605 Put everything aside, there is an obvious passion. 169 00:19:26,202 --> 00:19:29,374 Welcome. We're waiting for you wherever you are, in Lebanon and the world. 170 00:19:29,374 --> 00:19:30,224 Come visit us. 171 00:19:50,381 --> 00:19:52,343 Welcome guys. God bless you. 172 00:19:57,019 --> 00:19:58,429 We've been here since 1982. 173 00:20:00,639 --> 00:20:01,879 We work with cheeses and Labneh. 174 00:20:03,731 --> 00:20:07,881 Labneh, cheese, Halloum, double cream, Akkawi, Baladi. 175 00:20:08,962 --> 00:20:09,912 It is all natural milk. 176 00:20:10,759 --> 00:20:14,469 There is a proper boiler. It becomes frothy in 30 mins. 177 00:20:16,025 --> 00:20:18,647 We take it for making yogurt or cheese. 178 00:20:19,456 --> 00:20:21,246 They are on the tables. 179 00:20:22,032 --> 00:20:23,182 Cheese on the tables. 180 00:20:24,125 --> 00:20:27,075 We press it by the press. Here, this cheese is pressed. 181 00:20:29,044 --> 00:20:30,334 This is pressed by the press. 182 00:20:31,889 --> 00:20:34,872 We put a specific amount of salt and we pack it in boxes and cans, 183 00:20:35,782 --> 00:20:38,122 in salty water. Everything is 100% naturally made on the old way. 184 00:20:38,122 --> 00:20:43,713 There isn't any preservatives or powder or starch or any artificial materials. 185 00:20:44,134 --> 00:20:47,094 As the milk comes, we work with it, and we put it, 186 00:20:47,094 --> 00:20:50,248 we don't soak it, and cheese is put in cans, as it is. 187 00:21:14,868 --> 00:21:19,616 Good morning. Good morning, welcome. Welcome welcome. Chateau Heritage. 188 00:21:20,317 --> 00:21:24,787 About Qob Elias, I have to tell you, I am the ex mayor. 189 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. 190 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. 191 00:21:35,231 --> 00:21:36,771 It's an honor to have you. 192 00:21:37,238 --> 00:21:41,238 Thank you. First, congratulations for the new award. 193 00:21:41,238 --> 00:21:44,575 You're a pride to this nation. 194 00:21:45,207 --> 00:21:46,507 Thank you. Welcome. Thank you. 195 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, 196 00:21:51,876 --> 00:21:55,876 as if we traveled to Portugal or Spain, and we are in the center of Lebanon. 197 00:21:56,025 --> 00:21:57,605 You enter from a door to another. 198 00:21:58,033 --> 00:22:02,433 Originally, from the entrance, the atmosphere and the vibes are amazing, 199 00:22:03,602 --> 00:22:04,322 Chateau Heritage 200 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. 201 00:22:10,299 --> 00:22:14,235 This is actually the courtyard. The classes were here. They come to the courtyard. 202 00:22:15,043 --> 00:22:19,396 So when we bought it, it was utterly destroyed by the war. 203 00:22:19,899 --> 00:22:23,339 It passed in phases where it was a chicken and cow farm at one time, 204 00:22:23,636 --> 00:22:28,616 a carton factory at another time, but when we bought it, it was completely damaged. 205 00:22:28,616 --> 00:22:32,436 It had many bullets and bombs. 206 00:22:33,074 --> 00:22:39,634 So we refurbished and adapted it to become a winery. 207 00:22:40,161 --> 00:22:45,071 We are the sons of Elias Touma. One of the founders of Arak Touma. 208 00:22:45,887 --> 00:22:51,757 So we are fourth generation wine makers. I went to the states and studied 209 00:22:51,757 --> 00:22:53,064 chemical engineer. 210 00:22:53,738 --> 00:22:57,211 The masters in indology, PhD in food and beverage science. 211 00:22:57,211 --> 00:23:01,581 So my friends call me Dr. D, Dr. Dargham. So it's Dr. D. 212 00:23:03,482 --> 00:23:04,472 What else do we tell you? 213 00:23:04,942 --> 00:23:08,264 When I started here it was a very primitive operation. 214 00:23:09,258 --> 00:23:13,966 Now, the vats that you are seeing are imported vats. 215 00:23:14,608 --> 00:23:17,572 It's for show and pictures. You know, like a portrait. 216 00:23:17,572 --> 00:23:20,602 But in the rest of the winery there are vats that I've done myself. 217 00:23:20,602 --> 00:23:23,009 I've welded myself, I've done myself. 218 00:23:24,703 --> 00:23:27,814 They are called, you know, colt of the business, they do everything. 219 00:23:28,498 --> 00:23:33,588 So Chateau Heritage was founded in 1997. That's when I came back from the states. 220 00:23:33,818 --> 00:23:35,448 I started working in 1997. 221 00:23:35,867 --> 00:23:39,597 2 years prior, we made wine. 222 00:23:40,192 --> 00:23:42,462 88 and 91, now we will show you what are they. 223 00:23:43,357 --> 00:23:48,397 And it is a family business. My siblings and I, 224 00:23:48,397 --> 00:23:49,845 it is a family operation. 225 00:23:50,247 --> 00:23:53,717 May my father rest in peace, he was a big part of the business, 226 00:23:53,717 --> 00:23:55,097 he died 4-5 years ago. 227 00:23:58,105 --> 00:24:02,285 The patron saint, all wineries of the world have a patron saint. 228 00:24:03,510 --> 00:24:07,510 Because sometimes you do the science to the maximum, a time comes, 229 00:24:07,598 --> 00:24:11,598 things mess up. You have to refer to a higher power, so 230 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. 231 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. 232 00:25:06,811 --> 00:25:08,937 This is where wine comes to be aged. 233 00:25:10,520 --> 00:25:13,330 I'm not a humongous fan of oak. 234 00:25:14,183 --> 00:25:20,383 Because it covers, it masks the smells and fruits of the wine. 235 00:25:20,689 --> 00:25:27,877 But nonetheless, some wines need oak, and we, personally I am American educated, 236 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 237 00:25:36,401 --> 00:25:38,447 tannins and weather and things 238 00:25:39,173 --> 00:25:42,139 is American oak. Because when I started using that, 239 00:25:43,524 --> 00:25:48,140 ever since, I'm winning best Lebanese wine in the world consecutively every year. 240 00:25:48,140 --> 00:25:49,545 Both in Bordeaux and elsewhere. 241 00:25:50,101 --> 00:25:54,421 And to commemorate you winning the award, now up there. Thank you so much. 242 00:25:55,606 --> 00:25:58,831 We took it from here, it has mold which is okay. 243 00:25:58,831 --> 00:26:05,707 This is the 2003 which has won about 6 golden awards all over the world 244 00:26:06,185 --> 00:26:08,100 including best Lebanese wine. 245 00:26:08,564 --> 00:26:13,840 You don't drink these being careless. After the car trip, 246 00:26:14,378 --> 00:26:18,718 you have to leave it for about 10 days because it's going to shake. 247 00:26:19,293 --> 00:26:24,316 And you open the other one on a very nice occasion. 248 00:26:25,141 --> 00:26:29,141 But in both cases, you should decant them. 249 00:26:29,490 --> 00:26:34,475 Please, because I am not teaching you, but it's for the info. 250 00:26:35,021 --> 00:26:38,487 Second, for it to have oxygen and stretch. 251 00:26:38,954 --> 00:26:41,444 This has been stuck in the bottle for 30 years. 252 00:26:41,806 --> 00:26:43,026 So it needs stretching. 253 00:26:43,358 --> 00:26:44,948 Give it some oxygen to stretch. 254 00:26:45,310 --> 00:26:48,720 How great. How great, the spider is working down, 255 00:26:48,720 --> 00:26:50,029 turning and having fun. 256 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. 257 00:26:59,170 --> 00:27:00,580 I can stay for hours down there. 258 00:27:01,423 --> 00:27:04,203 But I asked I question, if it was a school and there was such a thing, 259 00:27:04,720 --> 00:27:06,370 what did students do down there? 260 00:27:08,158 --> 00:27:09,638 This is a cellar for tourists. 261 00:27:12,751 --> 00:27:17,232 This is where we put family reserve high end wines. 262 00:27:24,452 --> 00:27:30,100 Chateau Heritage Nine. 9 grape varieties, the most popular 9 grape varieties in Lebanon. 263 00:27:30,570 --> 00:27:31,659 Unoaked wine. 264 00:27:33,477 --> 00:27:39,840 Château Heritage Plaisir du Vin. This si made out of 3, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Syrah, and Cinsault. 265 00:27:40,423 --> 00:27:41,173 Slightly oaked. 266 00:27:42,852 --> 00:27:44,952 This is Syrah. It is a single varietal. 267 00:27:45,690 --> 00:27:51,810 This is the Cuvee Saint Elie which we released to commemorate the passing of my father. 268 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:54,250 And I would tell you the story about this. 269 00:27:54,841 --> 00:27:57,431 This is made of my father's favorite grapes. 270 00:27:57,625 --> 00:28:01,843 Cabernet-Sauvignon and Cinsault. Well, the story goes that 271 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. 272 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 273 00:28:14,986 --> 00:28:16,358 mother f* out there. 274 00:28:17,003 --> 00:28:21,107 He said why. It's because anywhere you cultivate it in the world, it thrives. 275 00:28:21,107 --> 00:28:25,737 He said, you know what, this Cabernet-Sauvignon is exactly like the Lebanese people. 276 00:28:25,737 --> 00:28:27,978 anywhere you put them in the world, they rule. 277 00:28:28,562 --> 00:28:32,055 So, to commemorate his passing, we did a blend of the 2. 278 00:28:32,147 --> 00:28:34,367 Cabernet-Sauvignon and Cinsault. 279 00:28:35,043 --> 00:28:43,175 This is the Chateau Heritage, which is a blend of Syrah in American oak, second wine. 280 00:28:43,883 --> 00:28:51,373 And the family reserve, which is a small vineyard. A 30 year old vineyard. 281 00:28:51,878 --> 00:28:55,486 In the past, the Cab and Syrah in it, during the times of my father, 282 00:28:55,809 --> 00:28:59,809 it was fed to sheep. Because the fruit of Cab and Syrah is small, 283 00:28:59,809 --> 00:29:00,537 it doesn't yield. 284 00:29:01,160 --> 00:29:03,720 The Cinsault is that big and it yields, this makes money. 285 00:29:04,286 --> 00:29:06,516 The Cab and Syrah were fed to sheep. 286 00:29:07,385 --> 00:29:11,123 So, it does't yield a lot, it's around 5,000-6,000 bottles. 287 00:29:11,737 --> 00:29:16,199 But it is so old, the vineyards are so old, the wine is so dense. 288 00:29:17,222 --> 00:29:20,063 Put it with the American oak, brand new barrels, 289 00:29:20,425 --> 00:29:25,435 and you were winning the best Lebanese wine in the world consistently. 290 00:29:26,757 --> 00:29:29,557 We're going to try, the Nine, 291 00:29:31,202 --> 00:29:38,142 which is made from 9 most popular grapes used in Lebanon. 292 00:29:39,890 --> 00:29:40,890 It is 293 00:29:42,116 --> 00:29:44,854 wine critics call it, Lebanon in a bottle. 294 00:30:02,080 --> 00:30:05,584 We start with its beautiful smell. It is very light and smooth. 295 00:30:05,927 --> 00:30:09,133 Most importantly, you don't smell the wood which usually covers everything. 296 00:30:10,265 --> 00:30:11,105 Very smooth. 297 00:30:11,965 --> 00:30:15,516 There is a fresh feeling. 298 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. 299 00:30:21,726 --> 00:30:22,366 And then 300 00:30:25,887 --> 00:30:28,476 extremely smooth. Extremely balanced. 301 00:30:29,249 --> 00:30:33,249 Lightly acidic. Enjoyably acidic, it tickles the sides of the tongue. 302 00:30:33,484 --> 00:30:36,537 It doesn't burn the throat, it does not dry the palate. 303 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. 304 00:30:45,620 --> 00:30:49,220 Now, it's because we took it from down there, where I told you. 305 00:30:49,554 --> 00:30:51,304 It is the 2003. 306 00:30:52,347 --> 00:30:56,947 Here, we put 4/6 gold awards it has won. 307 00:30:59,802 --> 00:31:05,298 This is honestly, also, I am not modest, 308 00:31:05,967 --> 00:31:11,811 but this is one of the best wines in the world you could ever taste. 309 00:31:12,499 --> 00:31:13,989 I am responsible of my words. 310 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, 311 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. 312 00:31:28,531 --> 00:31:31,381 How beautiful. How beautiful. 313 00:31:32,289 --> 00:31:34,659 We finished tasting and we will continue the tour. 314 00:31:35,127 --> 00:31:36,207 Amazing experience. 315 00:31:36,702 --> 00:31:38,652 I promised them that this is not the last visit. 316 00:31:39,295 --> 00:31:41,525 Next time, there is meat with barbecue. 317 00:31:42,324 --> 00:31:43,234 And some more wine. 318 00:31:54,901 --> 00:31:59,471 I use the best crumble, of corse, there is the Falghona, 319 00:32:00,009 --> 00:32:02,349 and I also use the Calbeau. 320 00:32:02,349 --> 00:32:05,807 And from when I started, I sell online. 321 00:32:06,226 --> 00:32:08,206 We deliver to houses. 322 00:32:08,772 --> 00:32:13,722 These are square praline with feuillantine. Milk and dark. 323 00:32:14,254 --> 00:32:17,924 There is the praline sphere with a hazelnut in the center. 324 00:32:18,895 --> 00:32:21,695 These are nuts covered with chocolate. 325 00:32:21,920 --> 00:32:25,510 This is raspberry caramel with feuillantine. 326 00:32:25,773 --> 00:32:28,781 Speculoos cream with cashew nuts. 327 00:32:29,416 --> 00:32:36,014 The best seller of Ebene is caramel with exotic fruits and white chocolate. 328 00:32:37,571 --> 00:32:41,821 These are almonds covered with dark chocolate. 329 00:32:41,930 --> 00:32:49,900 A caramel flower of salt. Caramel with sesame, praline with sesame and some caramel. 330 00:32:50,913 --> 00:32:53,163 I tasted on Instagram and I forgot that I am filming for YouTube. 331 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. 332 00:32:58,940 --> 00:33:02,043 When someone reaches here, and crunches special chocolate, 333 00:33:02,396 --> 00:33:06,396 the problem with chocolate for most people is tempering, how chewy and sticky it is, 334 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. 335 00:33:11,988 --> 00:33:16,586 Put all these aside. When you reach and you find out about a chocolate 336 00:33:17,219 --> 00:33:20,652 that firm, with such a nice stand, and nice crunch. 337 00:33:22,373 --> 00:33:22,983 Wow. 338 00:33:24,821 --> 00:33:27,261 The taste is delicious and it is addictive. 339 00:33:28,030 --> 00:33:29,380 With light sweetness. 340 00:33:32,926 --> 00:33:35,076 I am staying here. Continue the tour on your own. 341 00:33:36,166 --> 00:33:36,656 Move. 342 00:33:38,023 --> 00:33:39,693 I'm coming, I want to finish them. 343 00:33:56,717 --> 00:33:59,157 Welcome to Chateau St Thomas. 344 00:34:00,080 --> 00:34:06,750 Chateau St Thomas is a winery for Touma family. 345 00:34:07,468 --> 00:34:11,729 We've been in the business, the alcohol business, since 1888. 346 00:34:12,071 --> 00:34:13,081 We started with Arak. 347 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, 348 00:34:21,678 --> 00:34:29,910 we imported grape varieties from outside, the Cabernet-Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, 349 00:34:29,910 --> 00:34:31,727 Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc. 350 00:34:34,523 --> 00:34:40,643 And in the 1995, we almost started the construction of the winery, 351 00:34:41,430 --> 00:34:47,200 so as you can notice here, this area is a bit rocky. 352 00:34:48,808 --> 00:34:52,808 The winery has a story. It has a church, guests are welcomed. 353 00:34:52,808 --> 00:34:56,290 Tell us a bit about the setup here. Here, the area is rocky. 354 00:34:56,290 --> 00:35:01,312 We drilled in rocks to make a cave, an underground cellar. 355 00:35:01,816 --> 00:35:09,660 To maintain the humidity and specific temperature to keep the wooden barrels. 356 00:35:10,218 --> 00:35:15,198 And when we were drilling, we had like a small cave, we liked to expand it 357 00:35:15,198 --> 00:35:20,448 and make a chapel dedicated to St Thomas. 358 00:35:20,989 --> 00:35:23,785 Usually, we start the visit 9n the chapel. 359 00:35:26,668 --> 00:35:31,778 Here is the entrance of the main cave. I will go down to guide the pathway. 360 00:35:33,830 --> 00:35:42,327 We kept the rocks as they are, naturally, to keep the specific humidity 361 00:35:42,327 --> 00:35:45,992 which should be between 65-80 %. 362 00:35:46,733 --> 00:35:51,612 And the temperature which should be constant to preserve the wine. 363 00:35:52,430 --> 00:35:57,676 So in winter, when it rains here, the area is rich with water, so 364 00:35:57,676 --> 00:35:59,972 the rocks starts to moisture on their own. 365 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 366 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. 367 00:36:41,100 --> 00:36:45,100 This is our Obeidy bottle. 368 00:36:46,049 --> 00:36:48,619 It is made from the Obeidy kind of grapes. 369 00:36:49,848 --> 00:36:54,394 The Obeidy is known from a long time ago in Lebanon as an edible grape. 370 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. 371 00:37:01,056 --> 00:37:09,103 So we liked, in Chateau St Thomas, in addition to using international grape variety, 372 00:37:09,594 --> 00:37:13,639 highlight more on the local indigenous variety which is here in Lebanon. 373 00:37:14,278 --> 00:37:20,000 So we worked on Obeidy and what did we make, we studied its origin. 374 00:37:20,000 --> 00:37:21,480 We studied the 375 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 376 00:37:28,858 --> 00:37:35,831 known international grape variety in the world so this ensured that it is 100% Lebanese. 377 00:37:36,581 --> 00:37:37,831 So by this way, 378 00:37:38,931 --> 00:37:44,910 we liked that who drink wine, even outside of Lebanon, 379 00:37:45,419 --> 00:37:48,329 to know that in Lebanon, we have the Obeidy. 380 00:37:48,939 --> 00:37:53,439 For example, like how in Bordeaux are known for Merlot grapes, 381 00:37:54,158 --> 00:37:58,512 or the Burgundy region are known for Pinot Noir. 382 00:37:58,862 --> 00:38:04,510 So we liked Lebanon to be internationally known for the Obeidy kind. 383 00:38:04,975 --> 00:38:09,586 This is a preview of Nour el Ain, St Thomas, The Diamond. 384 00:38:09,586 --> 00:38:13,586 Rose, coming due very very soon. When do we expect it to be in markets? 385 00:38:14,142 --> 00:38:20,514 Now, we're launching it in the winery. Ok, so a reason to come here. 386 00:38:20,854 --> 00:38:28,254 It is called Nour el Ain because in English it is the pink diamond. 387 00:38:30,807 --> 00:38:34,807 So we liked to give it a Lebanese Arabic name. 388 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 389 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, 390 00:38:45,217 --> 00:38:49,777 people used to take wine glasses or bottles and tour and have fun while eating. 391 00:38:50,151 --> 00:38:55,175 Today, they took Obeidy to a different level, which is the only Lebanese wine, or Lebanese grape. 392 00:38:55,467 --> 00:38:59,467 They got Pinot Noir to Lebanon and found a very nice way to work with it. 393 00:38:59,596 --> 00:39:04,938 Most importantly, the winery which you are seeing here is recently built, but it is made in a very professional way. 394 00:39:05,211 --> 00:39:10,201 You can all come and visit, tour, explore, learn, buy, and in the end, 395 00:39:10,567 --> 00:39:17,467 take this glass which we are seeing, it is Lebanese Obeidy. The main, original, traditional, old bottle. 396 00:39:17,467 --> 00:39:22,152 Maybe it took the Lebanese wine to the whole world. Of corse we have a red grape. 397 00:39:22,511 --> 00:39:29,041 Do you know that Baalbak or Temple of Bacchus is originally wine, it started a very long time ago here 398 00:39:29,041 --> 00:39:29,791 Let's taste. 399 00:39:34,830 --> 00:39:35,320 Wow. 400 00:39:36,323 --> 00:39:41,783 It is not similar to anything else, as if it has mastic, as if it has sugar 401 00:39:41,783 --> 00:39:47,075 or a perfume that enters the nose, very smooth, very very smooth. Non acidic at all. 402 00:39:52,161 --> 00:39:52,651 Wow. 403 00:39:53,195 --> 00:39:57,284 With all pride, it is Lebanese, and it is not like any other wine in the world. 404 00:39:58,242 --> 00:39:59,132 My tour continues. 405 00:40:00,091 --> 00:40:01,601 I let them all go out and I am going alone. 406 00:40:17,802 --> 00:40:21,194 Good morning. I am Elia, a local guide in the area. 407 00:40:21,871 --> 00:40:27,098 Now we reached Haidara mountain. We will see Roman remains. We'll climb the stairs. Welcome. 408 00:41:18,830 --> 00:41:25,529 We reached Haidara here. They say that this was a cemetery for a prestigious person in the Roman era. 409 00:41:26,842 --> 00:41:28,452 But they didn't finish building it. 410 00:41:30,425 --> 00:41:32,825 It's height is 10 meters and its width is 13 meters. 411 00:41:34,108 --> 00:41:37,188 According to local legend, this was a sun temple. 412 00:41:38,295 --> 00:41:42,295 Because Qob Elias is known as the city of sun. 413 00:41:42,568 --> 00:41:47,638 The sun rises from the east and reflects on Haidara mountain. 414 00:41:48,330 --> 00:41:49,690 It reflects sunlight down into the village. 415 00:41:50,042 --> 00:41:54,402 Anthony, Qob Elias extends from here to the other village which we can see, El Marej. 416 00:41:55,026 --> 00:41:59,346 And on the other side is Taanayel and Cascada Mall. Actually, Cascada Mall is a part of Qob Elias. 417 00:42:00,140 --> 00:42:03,408 Where we were in St Thomas, it is also for Qob Elias. 418 00:42:03,936 --> 00:42:07,856 Even behind that, for almost 3 kilometers, it is still Qob Elias. 419 00:42:09,526 --> 00:42:10,166 Huge. 420 00:42:12,019 --> 00:42:13,299 70,000 people. 421 00:42:24,040 --> 00:42:27,880 This is the third time we distribute diesel. We have distributed about 400 diesel barrels. 422 00:42:28,085 --> 00:42:32,679 In here, so now we will show you how do we give diesel to a family. 423 00:42:41,402 --> 00:42:46,214 This diesel which is distributed is an initiative from Qob Elias expatriates to Qob Elias residents. 424 00:42:46,376 --> 00:42:51,489 I am distributing since October with Canadian help. 425 00:42:51,706 --> 00:42:55,434 Again, from Qob Elias families to Qob Elias families. Due to the situation in the country, 426 00:42:56,038 --> 00:42:59,859 we should help Qob Elias families, and Lebanese people in general, as much as we can. 427 00:43:00,082 --> 00:43:03,672 I invite all Lebanese expatriates to help their families in Lebanon because this is 428 00:43:03,962 --> 00:43:07,127 the only thing which Lebanese people are relying on to live in such situation. 429 00:43:07,288 --> 00:43:11,288 Why diesel and how much did you distribute until now? We chose diesel because this is the only substance 430 00:43:11,288 --> 00:43:14,296 that people use to be warm in this area. We distributed around 400 barrels. 431 00:43:15,764 --> 00:43:20,284 Their cost is about 75,000,000 L.L. which are spent until now for diesel. 432 00:43:30,327 --> 00:43:33,787 Thank you lady. Enjoy. Welcome. 433 00:43:34,831 --> 00:43:39,751 A beautiful day. A very nice and long day with great discoveries. The people I met are amazing. 434 00:43:40,307 --> 00:43:42,547 The last stop. Where? In a place called Chouchene. 435 00:43:43,103 --> 00:43:49,245 What does this mean, why, how big, the green and the land, guesthouse, restaurant, and much more than that. 436 00:43:49,752 --> 00:43:55,152 And very big factory behind me. What does it do? All these details will be reveled by meeting Carole 437 00:43:55,152 --> 00:43:56,782 and she will tell us all these. 438 00:43:57,048 --> 00:44:00,726 We are at Domaine de Chouchene. Let me start by telling you what it Chouchene. 439 00:44:00,726 --> 00:44:05,055 Chouchene is "Sawsane", in the past, the "S" was pronounced as "Sh". 440 00:44:05,692 --> 00:44:09,692 So Sawsane, this is the Sawsane here. This river was called Chouchene river. 441 00:44:10,068 --> 00:44:14,874 It has many Sawsane around it. They named the river Chouchene so we named the domaine Chouchene. 442 00:44:15,219 --> 00:44:18,102 Welcome. This river originates form here, from Qob Elias spring. 443 00:44:18,414 --> 00:44:19,954 We have it in summer and winter. 444 00:44:20,765 --> 00:44:22,105 And it waters, 445 00:44:22,949 --> 00:44:28,863 it waters all agricultural lands in Qob Elias and in Qob Elias, we mainly rely on agriculture. Right? 446 00:44:29,436 --> 00:44:31,500 As if you are an Arabic teacher. Exactly. 447 00:44:32,670 --> 00:44:38,220 The idea started by allowing people to come and see. We have something like a botanical garden. 448 00:44:38,610 --> 00:44:43,104 We named all trees, of course in 3 languages, Arabic, English, and French. 449 00:44:43,104 --> 00:44:49,093 So people would come and know what is Eriobotrya, how do chestnut grow, what is the Kiwi 450 00:44:51,328 --> 00:44:56,308 and the Shami berries, we have a very old tree of Shami berries. 451 00:44:56,753 --> 00:45:02,083 The hazelnut, like all ideas you have about trees, are found here. 452 00:45:02,083 --> 00:45:05,604 The Willow, Cottonwood, and many more. So we made a botanical garden. 453 00:45:06,263 --> 00:45:10,263 It starts from the spring and moves by stirrings and it goes in turbines and generates power. 454 00:45:10,263 --> 00:45:14,263 Since 1927, we had electricity covering the whole area. 455 00:45:14,949 --> 00:45:17,829 The factory is still present here and the stirrings as well. 456 00:45:18,381 --> 00:45:21,253 If you go to the top of the spring, you can see everything which was used in the past. 457 00:45:21,253 --> 00:45:26,253 They are damaged but we are trying to highlight on the idea that in the very past 458 00:45:26,494 --> 00:45:30,294 we had specific civilizations. Many civilizations passed through here. 459 00:45:30,294 --> 00:45:37,004 There are the Assyrians, Umayyads, Ottomans. Each left something here. 460 00:45:43,220 --> 00:45:48,961 Other than the botanical garden, and the historical view which we like people to see, 461 00:45:48,961 --> 00:45:54,292 we made bed and breakfast which consists of almost 12 rooms. 462 00:45:55,077 --> 00:45:58,511 2 buildings. One is casual more than the other. 463 00:45:59,560 --> 00:46:00,702 Now I will show you the rooms. 464 00:46:01,188 --> 00:46:01,648 Craziness. 465 00:47:05,166 --> 00:47:09,386 All ladies of the village are making things which we present here. 466 00:47:11,478 --> 00:47:15,608 Of course Arak and wine made by us. The chocolate and Mouneh. 467 00:47:16,021 --> 00:47:20,021 We have Dar Onkoz, Nadine, also my cousin. I don't know if you know her. 468 00:47:20,727 --> 00:47:27,034 Also, I will say again, each on of Touma family is trying to bring something back to Qob Elias 469 00:47:27,034 --> 00:47:29,224 from what it gave us, in a specific way. 470 00:47:30,156 --> 00:47:36,494 Whether by wineries, engineers, doctors, or preserving a certain architecture. 471 00:47:36,494 --> 00:47:39,734 Nadine, my cousin, is one of us. 472 00:47:40,227 --> 00:47:42,617 She is trying to give something back to Qob Elias. 473 00:47:44,279 --> 00:47:46,509 I thought that there were only 50! 474 00:47:47,712 --> 00:47:50,667 That's a nice way to see it. 475 00:47:52,622 --> 00:47:56,712 Hello hello hello hello. Long time. Long time. How are you? 476 00:47:56,712 --> 00:48:00,712 Today is a family day. I met all the family, your siblings and family. That is logical you're in Qob Elias. 477 00:48:01,929 --> 00:48:05,929 How are you? Perfect. Good? First, congrats. Thank you. Thank you. 478 00:48:05,929 --> 00:48:09,189 We were so happy for you. Really. Thank you. You deserve it. 479 00:48:09,189 --> 00:48:11,861 You do everything with passion so I'm happy for you. 480 00:48:12,345 --> 00:48:14,105 Hi Anthony. Welcome. 481 00:48:15,831 --> 00:48:16,970 Now we are at Arak Touma. 482 00:48:19,651 --> 00:48:25,701 It's one of the oldest distilleries in Lebanon. Since 1888. 483 00:48:27,337 --> 00:48:31,607 And it is a family business. We are the fifth generation producing Arak. 484 00:48:31,607 --> 00:48:37,797 I think you toured Heritage and St Thomas. This is the origin, the source. 485 00:48:38,207 --> 00:48:45,684 It started with by grandma. This is my grandma's house here. She established everything after her 486 00:48:45,684 --> 00:48:46,874 husband passed away. 487 00:48:47,831 --> 00:48:50,810 And so she could continue raising her family. 488 00:48:51,392 --> 00:48:57,298 She used to make all the work, and my uncles and father came. 489 00:48:57,728 --> 00:48:59,678 They established, and now we are doing so. 490 00:49:00,182 --> 00:49:05,292 The fifth generation, we are continuing of course further and further. 491 00:49:06,255 --> 00:49:10,949 Here, we are at the old press. The grapes used to come to here. 492 00:49:11,786 --> 00:49:18,879 They used to throw the grapes here. Sometimes they stepped on them to squeeze them. 493 00:49:19,426 --> 00:49:24,476 And then they used to go down into this to be squeezed. 494 00:49:34,875 --> 00:49:42,255 This is the anise room. We really take care of the quality of anise. 495 00:49:43,157 --> 00:49:49,057 We get the anise from Damascus. 496 00:49:49,057 --> 00:49:53,577 You can feel how obvious is the smell. Unbelievable unbelievable. 497 00:49:54,385 --> 00:50:01,901 And we mean to put it in a closed place so it could stay. Wow, it smells amazing. 498 00:50:02,058 --> 00:50:06,318 Here, these are anise. 499 00:50:06,524 --> 00:50:08,574 This is the main thing, of course, considering the quality of Arak. 500 00:50:09,209 --> 00:50:11,239 This is the main thing because this is it. 501 00:50:13,119 --> 00:50:17,239 Look how much remains, you can smell, I don't know. 502 00:50:18,658 --> 00:50:23,719 How obvious and strong it is. And this is what we need for the quality 503 00:50:24,201 --> 00:50:28,201 to have tasty Arak. During the break I just want to tell you that 504 00:50:28,201 --> 00:50:31,121 one of my favorite things is a Labneh plate with olive oil 505 00:50:31,370 --> 00:50:33,450 with a sprinkle of these. Oh perfect. 506 00:50:33,450 --> 00:50:36,714 So I am not leaving before you give me some to enjoy them. 507 00:50:37,377 --> 00:50:37,927 As much as you want. 508 00:50:39,121 --> 00:50:43,602 Now we are in a phase, we finished picking last week. 509 00:50:44,533 --> 00:50:47,619 Now, all the juice which was aged is being distilled. 510 00:50:48,714 --> 00:50:55,094 They will be distilled with anise after a few months. 511 00:50:55,858 --> 00:50:58,558 Here, there is a difference between each apparatus 512 00:50:59,551 --> 00:51:03,551 by its technique, its tradition. 513 00:51:03,915 --> 00:51:09,685 Of course each apparatus makes tasty Arak, but each has experience, the essential thing, 514 00:51:09,685 --> 00:51:11,601 which we took from our fathers. 515 00:51:13,414 --> 00:51:20,246 What are we seeing here? As I told you, this is the aged juice which is being distilled. 516 00:51:20,871 --> 00:51:22,471 Ok, and it is 517 00:51:25,050 --> 00:51:25,900 if you want, 518 00:51:26,671 --> 00:51:29,831 we can taste it, and you can feel the smell of grape. 519 00:51:29,831 --> 00:51:33,831 How delicious. They are alcohol, which means first round. Yes. There are 2 more rounds. 520 00:51:33,831 --> 00:51:38,071 I don't know, don't talk details because these are secrets. 521 00:51:38,071 --> 00:51:39,641 But primarily, there are 2 rounds. 522 00:51:40,394 --> 00:51:45,854 But here, you also smell grapes and we are using the Obeidy here, 523 00:51:46,265 --> 00:51:51,223 or the Lebanese grapes. There are Obeidy, Maghdouhsi, and Maksasi. 524 00:51:52,419 --> 00:51:54,289 There are many other kinds. 525 00:51:55,353 --> 00:51:59,797 This is something main in our family. I don't know if you saw the chapel in St Thomas. 526 00:52:00,757 --> 00:52:08,197 There is always a place to bless the distillation, aging, and everything. This is a family tradition 527 00:52:08,197 --> 00:52:10,517 which we took from a long time ago, and we are continuing it. 528 00:52:11,026 --> 00:52:11,896 Of course, for blessings. 529 00:52:13,361 --> 00:52:18,996 Same logo, same bottle, since as long as you remember.Same logo and same bottle. 530 00:52:18,996 --> 00:52:21,474 The bottle is specially made for Arak Touma.. 531 00:52:22,453 --> 00:52:26,453 So the labels change. Now, we are trying to change the label. 532 00:52:26,970 --> 00:52:31,556 But the bottle stays the same. Also, to maintain the traditions of the family. 533 00:52:33,265 --> 00:52:41,180 We were seeing Karkeh apparatuses inside. Now, Arak production is a tradition for every Lebanese house. 534 00:52:41,873 --> 00:52:49,637 So, people get happy when they say that they made a Karkeh and produced Arak. 535 00:52:49,637 --> 00:52:53,903 So it's something they are happy about and they are proud of it. 536 00:52:54,485 --> 00:52:59,489 That is good but they should really know how to make Arak because when distillation is done, what we saw 537 00:52:59,489 --> 00:53:03,489 inside, some things should be removed and some things should be kept. 538 00:53:03,582 --> 00:53:07,582 There is good quality and bad quality. There is methanol, which causes headaches 539 00:53:07,755 --> 00:53:11,755 and makes a person blind and pass through hallucinations. 540 00:53:12,381 --> 00:53:16,381 Maybe, this is when someone says village Arak, 541 00:53:16,958 --> 00:53:19,838 like take this is village Arak, 542 00:53:21,169 --> 00:53:23,509 it is not something very good if don't really know its source. 543 00:53:23,995 --> 00:53:26,735 So that's why I have more trust in Arak found in markets, 544 00:53:27,644 --> 00:53:30,414 the branded, more than village Arak. 545 00:53:31,639 --> 00:53:35,639 Because all Arak bottles which are present in markets undergo tests 546 00:53:36,320 --> 00:53:40,850 and follow the Lebanese Arak standards. 547 00:54:46,309 --> 00:54:49,843 We're waiting for you. Thank you. See you. Bye. Bye. 548 00:55:37,423 --> 00:55:42,013 Fakhreddine Citadel, the great. He built it in 1590. 549 00:55:42,301 --> 00:55:45,091 Here, we are seeing Qob Elias on a hill. 550 00:55:45,520 --> 00:55:52,220 A strategic area between Al Bekaa valley and the road with leads to Al Chouf, Saida, and Beirut. 551 00:55:52,862 --> 00:55:56,862 Al Bekaa valley was for Syria and Qob Elias is a border area. 552 00:55:56,862 --> 00:55:58,992 This area was for Mount Lebanon. 553 00:55:59,812 --> 00:56:01,662 This wall is remaining from the citadel. 554 00:56:02,489 --> 00:56:05,439 What's nice is that here, we can see 555 00:56:06,761 --> 00:56:09,610 what is left. Here, there was a tower facing the citadel. 556 00:56:10,390 --> 00:56:15,222 Inside the tower, there was a well and a stairs which goes 200 meters down 557 00:56:15,662 --> 00:56:20,562 to reach Chouchene river to get water in case the citadel was surrounded, 558 00:56:20,562 --> 00:56:23,432 they would be safe and are able to get water. 559 00:56:23,699 --> 00:56:28,379 This whole area is called Wadi Al Doulom. Can you see the valley between the mountains, 560 00:56:28,379 --> 00:56:32,379 all this this Wadi Al Doulom. Doulom is a kind of wild doves. 561 00:56:32,861 --> 00:56:38,371 It lives only between rocks. When I take groups people for hiking in the valley, 562 00:56:38,687 --> 00:56:42,297 we see Doulom making nests in the rocks. 563 00:56:43,277 --> 00:56:46,947 Anthony, thank you for coming, it was a very nice day with you. 564 00:56:47,797 --> 00:56:56,023 We gave you many things that benefit your video. I hope you enjoyed the village, and what you saw 565 00:56:56,023 --> 00:56:57,303 and the village families. 566 00:56:57,996 --> 00:56:59,823 It was an eventful day for sure. 567 00:57:00,232 --> 00:57:02,592 We were talking a lot, informative, 568 00:57:03,009 --> 00:57:07,395 so hopefully you had fun with us and of course this won't be you only time in Qob Elias. 569 00:57:07,784 --> 00:57:10,942 We will wait for you for other times, and to the future for sure. 570 00:57:11,111 --> 00:57:12,041 And best of luck for you. 571 00:57:12,574 --> 00:57:14,164 Great day. Great great day. 572 00:57:14,534 --> 00:57:16,854 Did anyone ever say that Qob Elias has many important thing. 573 00:57:17,255 --> 00:57:22,675 Did anyone ever say that this area has many civilizations from the very old Roman era, 574 00:57:22,675 --> 00:57:27,015 until Fakhreddine and more and more. For me, Qob Elias was a small village, like 575 00:57:27,015 --> 00:57:30,455 any other villages which I pass in like passing in any other village in Al Bekaa. 576 00:57:30,839 --> 00:57:36,739 One episode is not enough. More than 30% of the things we made, there's still much more. 577 00:57:37,188 --> 00:57:40,338 From the vegetables market to places and amazing people and the houses we entered, 578 00:57:40,678 --> 00:57:43,028 the touristic, heritage, and historical places. 579 00:57:43,688 --> 00:57:45,478 A really crazy visit. 580 00:57:45,648 --> 00:57:48,882 Even the wine, the factories, how many important things it has. 581 00:57:49,210 --> 00:57:53,210 I hope that you enjoyed this amazing day which has a lot of learning and excitement, 582 00:57:53,326 --> 00:57:54,356 and many things which we learned together. 583 00:57:54,584 --> 00:57:57,884 Hopefully, we will come again and visit during winter 584 00:57:58,117 --> 00:58:01,267 or during summer, to show you Qob Elias in all seasons. 585 00:58:01,781 --> 00:58:03,661 Okay, good bye. See you next time.