This small country of contrasts and conflict does an extraordinary job of functioning at all, never mind producing world class wine. Making almost entirely white wine until the French arrived just after the first World War bringing grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Carignan, the output swung strongly towards red wine. Most wine is made in the Bekaa valley, an almost perfect winegrowing site with warm days and cool nights, imbuing ripeness and freshness at the same time. (CW 23/01/12)