I Bought A Few Bottles Of Lebanese Wine Today As Christmas Presents.

[sandyRoe]

Its Chateau Musar from the Bekaa Valley.
I know there are Christian communities in Lebanon but if this wine is produced by followers of another religion how do they square their conscience?

[mightymouse]

Whatever, this expensive wine is truly wonderful!

[fiction-factory]

People who are probably usually followers of the other religion are usually quite happy to sell alcohol in their shops here in my experience.

[sandyRoe]

I doubt they're happy to sell it, but needs must.

[retrocop]

They probably marketed it as Christian water and blamed Jesus.

[Mamyalynne]

The history of Château Musar shows the Hochar Family (founders) are very well regarded there - especially Serge who died in 2014.

[sandyRoe]

I'm just starting a bottle to make sure I'm not giving second rate stuff as gifts. It's good.

[ummmm]

Goes with all religions. Just look at the Catholics.

[sandyRoe]

But we believe it's OK in moderation.

[naomi24]

//I know there are Christian communities in Lebanon but if this wine is produced by followers of another religion //

It appears not.

//The winery was established by Gaston Hochar in 1930 //

Wiki.

Lebanon is roughly 50/50 Christianity/Islam.

[Buenchico]

>>> Lebanon is roughly 50/50 Christianity/Islam

. . . although it seems that the grapes are harvested by workers who're mainly followers of Islam:
"All the grapes are hand-harvested by local Bedouins between August and October"
http://chateaumusar.com/our-wines/

They probably see the work in much the same way that many Muslim shopkeepers in the UK see selling alcohol. i.e. it's not something that they approve of but
(a) they respect other people's right to differ ; and
(b) it pays the bills!

I've only ever sampled a couple of Lebanese wines but they were both lovely. I'll be sticking to the sake that I've bought for Christmas though (gorgeous!) unless I happen to visit the Ukrainian run East European food shop in Ipswich ("Rasputin") before then. They've got some interesting looking wines I've been meaning to try for ages!

[jno]

isn't the ban just on drinking wine?

[Buenchico]

>>> isn't the ban just on drinking wine?

This Muslim writes: ". . . my social life largely consists of going to pubs. And that would be fine, if it wasn't for the fact that I'm a Muslim – a religion that not only prohibits drinking, but also even being in the same place as alcohol"
https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/wdbk9z/going-to-the-pub-as-a-muslim

[naomi24]

Islam doesn’t prohibit the consumption of alcohol but it does warn against it which is why most Muslims avoid it. National laws in various countries do their own thing. Some allow it to be sold, others don’t.

[Buenchico]

Possibly a relevant link here:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2011/oct/08/drinkers-islam-palestinian-beerfest-alcohol

[highbury57]

Frequently on blind tastings it comes out better than the Premier Cru Clarets. It is superlative. Save some for yourself. A rare treat.

[Baldric]

/// how do they square their conscience? ///

Why should that be a concern to you or anyone else for that matter?

[ummmm]

Jesus Baldric, what is wrong with you? Sandy can ask what he wants!!!

[sanmac]

Baldric, take a look at the 1450 post on the CB thread "Damned Neighbours"...Ever been there. By the way, I agree with ummmm: Your post at 2342 on this thread is completely unwarranted.

[Baldric]

And I believe I have the option to post what I like as long as it's not offensive.

[Mamyalynne]

Sadly he's right, pointed, unwarranted interjections are within the rules.