Musar Jeune White, Bekaa Valley, Lebannon 2021

A guide to the style
Musar Jeune White is an unoaked blend of Viognier, Vermentino, Chardonnay from youthful Bekaa Valley vines. Crisp and aromatic, this eclectic blend of French and Italian varieties has its own distinct personality – passionfruit, apples, elderflowers – and a dry, refreshing finish.

Grapes and vines
Made from the fruit of Viognier, Vermentino and Chardonnay vines planted since 2000 at around 1,000m above sea level in the Bekaa Valley.

Winemaking
Musar Jeune White is fermented in cement-lined vats and released a year after the harvest.

Decanting and serving
No need to decant; enjoy chilled (12°C) with grilled fish, herb-scented roast chicken, seafood salads and spicy oriental dishes.

History

Château Musar is a historic Lebanese winery founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, inspired by his travels to Bordeaux. Located in Ghazir, north of Beirut, the estate sits near the ancient port city of Byblos and draws on Lebanon’s long winemaking heritage, which dates back thousands of years to the Phoenicians. Musar became known for blending French grape varieties—such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and Carignan—with the unique climate and soils of the Bekaa Valley, producing wines that reflect both Old World tradition and a distinct sense of place.

The winery’s international reputation was largely shaped by Gaston’s son, Serge Hochar, who took over winemaking in the 1950s. Musar gained global acclaim after being featured at the 1979 Bristol Wine Fair, despite ongoing conflict in Lebanon. Remarkably, the estate continued producing wine throughout the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990), with vintages often reflecting the hardships of those years. Serge Hochar’s dedication earned him Decanter magazine’s first “Man of the Year” award in 1984, cementing Château Musar’s status as a symbol of resilience and one of the Middle East’s most celebrated wineries.