Cinsault
75cl * 13.5% ABV * Beqaa Valley, Lebanon
It was after the civil war in 1992 that Sami and Ramzi Ghosn reclaimed their family’s land and began creating a vineyard and traditional distillery. They first produced an arak in 1994, in a distinctive blue bottle, the success of which led the brothers to abandon their individual careers in architecture, finance and marketing to fully immerse themselves in the business. Their first bottles of wine were produced in 1998. They soon joined forces with Frédéric and Daniel Brunier from Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe and Dominique Hebrard, formerly from Château Cheval Blanc.
Their rosé, made entirely from Cinsault, and in a Provencal style, is delightfully delicate and fragrant. Harvesting is done by hand in the early morning hours, and fermentation and aging are in stainless-steel vats to retain freshness. This results in an elegant, rounded rosé with strawberry hues, aromatic notes of raspberry, summer stone fruit and subtle spice. Light and deliciously approachable, the Massaya Rosé is ideal with classic picnic foods, think shellfish, smoked salmon, cured meats, hard cheeses and roast ham. Equally, serve chilled either as an aperitif or as intended, with Lebanese mezze.