Vinifest, the Lebanese wine festival, will celebrate its 12th edition in a dazzling atmosphere, under the patronage of the Minister of Economy and Trade Mr. Mansour Bteish, from October 2 till October 5, 2019, at Beirut Hippodrome, specifically in Beirut Horse Track.
Vinifest offers its visitors four unforgettable days of exhibit booths, wine tastings, and courses, live cooking, and live musical performances. The festival showcases a wide range of wine varieties from Lebanon and abroad, as it also teaches visitors to appreciate old flavors and discover new blends from small wineries and hidden gems across Lebanon.
Minister Bteish declared that, since the quality of Lebanese wine has become well-known internationally, this festival helps to consolidate its position in the local market and introduce it further across the world.
He added, “Lebanese food industries, including wine, constitute a sector in which Lebanon can excel worldwide. This requires supporting the development of this sector, strengthening it, and marketing it locally and abroad.”
This year, the festival’s guest of honor will be China, through the Chinese Arab Association (C.A.A.) for Promoting Cultural and Commercial Exchange. China will have the opportunity to explore Lebanese productions, opening the Chinese market for Lebanese wine.
The festival will include wine courses given by Brigitte Leloup, Vice President of Association de Sommeliers d’Europe. Vinécole, the wine masterclass, will be teaching Vinifest’s visitors about different wines, how to drink wine properly, how to fully understand the hidden notes in a glass, and so on.
Besides, since this year’s theme is the Sun, Vinécole will especially shed the light over the effect of the sun on wine.
Live cooking shows will also take place with the C.A.A and with French chef Mr. Alain Leloup whose shows will focus on the Cuisine of the Sun. In addition to that, a Chinese live cooking station will be teaching how to make authentic Chinese spring rolls and noodles.
Live music and great vibes will accompany the 4-day festival, which has become known as one of the liveliest festivals in Lebanon.
It is expected that around 30,000 people from all around the world will attend the festival, making it the most renowned wine festival in the Middle East.