Venture beyond the familiar territories of French and Italian wines to discover the ancient vineyards of the Middle East, where winemaking began over 8,000 years ago in the fertile crescent between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Today, from Lebanon’s acclaimed Bekaa Valley to Israel’s sun-drenched Golan Heights, Middle Eastern wines are experiencing a remarkable renaissance, combining ancient traditions with modern winemaking techniques to produce distinctive vintages that captivate global connoisseurs.
The region’s indigenous grape varieties – like Lebanon’s robust Obaideh and Israel’s aromatic Marawi – offer wine enthusiasts unique flavour profiles that perfectly complement the bold, aromatic spices of Middle Eastern cuisine. These wines, shaped by Mediterranean climates and diverse terroirs, range from elegant whites that hint of wild herbs and citrus to full-bodied reds enriched with notes of dark fruits and exotic spices.
As Toronto’s culinary landscape embraces Middle Eastern flavours with increasing sophistication, these wines present an exciting opportunity to explore one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating wine cultures. Whether paired with mezze at an upscale Lebanese restaurant or savoured alongside modern interpretations of traditional dishes, Middle Eastern wines offer a compelling narrative of tradition, innovation, and exceptional taste.
Heritage in a Glass: Understanding Middle Eastern Wines
Ancient Roots: Lebanon’s Wine Legacy
Lebanon’s winemaking heritage stretches back over 6,000 years to the ancient Phoenicians, who established the region’s first vineyards in the fertile Bekaa Valley. This sun-drenched valley, nestled between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges, continues to produce some of the Middle East’s most distinguished wines.
Modern Lebanese wine production centers around prestigious houses like Château Musar, whose bold reds garnered international acclaim during the 1970s, effectively putting Lebanese wine on the global map. The traditional grape varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and indigenous Obaideh thrive in the region’s Mediterranean climate, yielding wines of remarkable complexity and character.
Despite periods of political upheaval, Lebanon’s wine industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Contemporary producers like Château Kefraya and Château Ksara blend time-honored techniques with modern innovation, creating wines that reflect both their ancient heritage and contemporary sophistication. Their portfolios showcase everything from elegant reds that echo Bordeaux-style blends to crisp whites that capture the essence of their high-altitude terroir.
Today, Lebanon’s wine scene represents a compelling fusion of historical legacy and modern craftsmanship, producing wines that increasingly command attention from international collectors and connoisseurs.
Israeli Wine Renaissance
Israel’s modern wine industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as a powerhouse of contemporary winemaking while honoring its ancient viticultural heritage. The Golan Heights Winery, established in 1983, catalyzed this renaissance by introducing modern techniques and international grape varieties to the region’s terroir. Today, Israel boasts over 300 wineries, from boutique producers to larger estates, crafting wines that regularly earn international acclaim.
The country’s diverse microclimates, from the cool heights of the Golan to the sun-drenched Negev Desert, provide ideal conditions for cultivating both Mediterranean and traditional European varietals. Premium producers like Flam, Tzora, and Domaine du Castel have mastered the art of crafting sophisticated Bordeaux-style blends and elegant Syrahs that reflect their unique terroir.
Israeli winemakers have particularly excelled with Mediterranean varieties such as Carignan and Marselan, while simultaneously elevating indigenous grapes like Marawi to new heights. The combination of innovative techniques, ancient wisdom, and exceptional growing conditions has positioned Israeli wines as sought-after additions to distinguished wine lists worldwide.
Toronto’s Middle Eastern Wine Revolution
Where to Find Middle Eastern Wines
For enthusiasts seeking to explore Middle Eastern wines in Toronto, several establishments stand out as premier destinations. Fat Pasha, nestled in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant ethnic neighborhoods, maintains an impressive selection of Lebanese and Israeli wines, including rare vintages from the Bekaa Valley. The sophisticated Paramount Fine Foods’ flagship location curates an excellent collection of halal-certified wines from Jordan and Morocco.
For retail purchases, the LCBO’s Summerhill location features a dedicated Middle Eastern wine section, showcasing bottles from established producers like Château Musar and Château Ksara. The knowledgeable sommeliers at Archive Wine Bar regularly rotate their selection to include emerging wineries from Turkey and Armenia.
Specialists like The Wine Academy on King Street East offer private tastings and educational sessions focused on Middle Eastern varietals, while Midfield Wine Bar provides an intimate setting to sample limited-production wines from boutique Mediterranean producers. These venues not only offer exceptional wines but also provide valuable insights into the rich viticultural heritage of the region.
Perfect Pairings: Middle Eastern Wines & Toronto’s Mediterranean Cuisine
Mezze & White Wines
The art of mezze, with its vibrant array of small plates and appetizers, finds its perfect complement in the crisp, aromatic white wines of the Middle East. Lebanese Obeideh-based whites, with their delicate floral notes and subtle minerality, create an exquisite partnership with classic hummus and baba ganoush. The wine’s natural acidity cuts through the richness of tahini while enhancing the subtle smokiness of roasted eggplant.
For seafood-based mezze like grilled octopus or herb-marinated prawns, reach for a Jordanian Viognier. Its stone fruit characteristics and full-bodied nature stand up beautifully to the maritime flavors while complementing the citrus and herb elements common in these dishes.
The increasingly popular Israeli Roussanne offers a sophisticated pairing for more complex mezze like muhammara or labneh with za’atar. Its honeysuckle notes and rich texture balance the heat of red peppers and enhance the tangy aspects of fermented dairy products.
When serving lighter vegetable-based dishes such as tabbouleh or fattoush, consider the indigenous Egyptian Bantiti grape varieties. These wines typically present with bright citrus notes and a clean finish that elevates the fresh herbs and subtle spices without overwhelming the delicate flavors of the dishes.
For an unexpected but delightful pairing, try Turkish Narince with falafel and tahini sauce. The wine’s subtle pear and apple notes create a refreshing contrast to the deep-fried chickpea balls while harmonizing with the sesame-based sauce.
Main Course Matches
When pairing wines with robust Middle Eastern main courses, the key is to find bottles that can stand up to intense spices while complementing the region’s complex flavor profiles. For succulent lamb kabobs, reach for a full-bodied Lebanese Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly those from Château Musar, which offers enough tannic structure to match the meat’s richness while harmonizing with traditional spice blends.
The popular shawarma finds its perfect match in an Israeli Syrah from the Golan Heights region. These wines typically display notes of black pepper and Mediterranean herbs that enhance the aromatic meat preparation. For vegetarian options like stuffed eggplant or moussaka, consider a Jordanian white blend featuring local varieties like Obaideh and Merwah, whose subtle stone fruit characteristics and mineral finish complement the earthiness of roasted vegetables.
Traditional Persian stews (khoresh) pair beautifully with Armenian wines, particularly those made from the indigenous Areni grape. These medium-bodied reds offer enough acidity to cut through rich sauces while maintaining elegant fruit notes that don’t overwhelm the dish’s nuanced flavors.
For seafood-based dishes like samke harra, opt for a crisp Turkish Narince from the Anatolia region. Its citrus notes and balanced acidity perfectly complement the heat of spiced fish while maintaining the delicate flavors of the sea.
Sweet Endings
No Middle Eastern dining experience is complete without indulging in the region’s legendary sweets, and mastering dessert wine pairings elevates these delicacies to new heights. The honeyed notes of Lebanese Muscat de Baalbek create a harmonious union with baklava, its golden elixir complementing the layered phyllo pastry’s nutty complexity. For the delicate rosewater-infused maamoul, opt for a glass of Turkish Vinsanto, whose subtle stone fruit characteristics enhance the cookie’s aromatic profile without overwhelming its delicate texture.
The rich, amber-hued Commandaria from Cyprus, one of the world’s oldest named wines, proves exceptional alongside kanafeh, its concentrated flavors of dried figs and caramel matching the cheese-filled dessert’s sweet intensity. When serving the date-filled makroud, consider pouring the Turkish late-harvest Emir, whose balanced acidity cuts through the pastry’s sweetness while harmonizing with the dates’ natural caramel notes.
For a truly memorable finale, pair traditional Turkish Delight with drops of Jordan’s Zumot Winery’s Paradise wine, a rare dessert offering whose subtle spice notes and honey undertones create an ethereal partnership with the confection’s delicate rosewater and pistachio elements.
Toronto’s culinary landscape has evolved dramatically over the past decade, and Middle Eastern wines have emerged as a captivating force in this transformation. What was once a niche category confined to specialty shops has blossomed into a sophisticated segment of the city’s wine culture, earning its place alongside established Old World and New World selections.
The growing presence of these distinctive wines in Toronto’s premier restaurants and wine bars reflects both the city’s multicultural fabric and its maturing palate. Sommeliers across the city are increasingly championing wines from Lebanon, Israel, and Turkey, recognizing their unique ability to complement not only Middle Eastern cuisine but also a broad spectrum of global flavors.
This renaissance has been particularly evident in the past five years, with wine enthusiasts and collectors actively seeking out bottles from renowned producers like Château Musar and Recanati. The trend extends beyond restaurants, as private collectors and wine clubs organize tastings dedicated to exploring these ancient wine regions’ modern expressions.
Looking ahead, Middle Eastern wines are poised to play an even more significant role in Toronto’s wine scene. Their combination of historical authenticity and contemporary appeal resonates perfectly with the city’s sophisticated dining culture. As awareness grows and availability increases, these wines continue to challenge preconceptions and delight palates, proving that the future of Toronto’s wine culture is as diverse as the city itself.