Podcasts about bekaa valley

In this episode of Journey of Hope, host Elio Constantine sits down with Bashir, a lead pastor Hope Evangelical Church and the Field Manager at Heart for Lebanon in the Bekaa Valley. They reflect on the recent trials and triumphs faced by the Lebanese people during a tumultuous period from September 2024 to January 2025. As conflict escalated between Hezbollah and Israel, over a million people in Lebanon were displaced, and the nation faced unprecedented economic challenges. Yet, amidst the despair, Bashir shares powerful testimonies of how God was at work, answering prayers and providing hope.Listeners will hear about the unwavering commitment of the Heart for Lebanon team, who gathered weekly to pray for peace and support those affected by the violence. Bashir recounts the miraculous moments when families received aid, the joy of seeing a new government formed after years of uncertainty, and the profound impact of community support during these dark times.As the episode unfolds, Bashir shares inspiring stories of individuals whose lives were touched by God's grace, including a young girl named Rua who overcame barriers to education, and a woman whose prayers for her sick niece were answered. The episode highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of faith in action.Join Elio and Bashir as they celebrate the answered prayers and the hope that continues to shine through the darkness in Lebanon. This episode is a testament to the strength of community, the importance of prayer, and the love of Christ that binds us all together. Don't miss this uplifting conversation that reminds us of the profound impact we can have when we come together in faith.Subscribe, share, and engage with Heart for Lebanon's prayer ministry at heartforlebanon.org/prayer. Your support is vital in bringing hope and change to those in need.

Send us a textIn this episode, we explore Dr. Tarek Loubani, a Canadian doctor of Palestinian descent who has dedicated his life to providing medical care in some of the world's most challenging environments. Born in Nahr El Bared, raised in Kuwait, and later relocating with his family to Ontario, Tarek's journey reflects an unwavering commitment. As the founder of the Glia Project, he has developed innovative, low-cost medical supplies, including a 3D-printed stethoscope, to support impoverished communities in crisis zones.His path has included tremendous trials, such as unjust imprisonment in Egypt, where he endured weeks of harsh detention in 2013, and life-threatening injuries while delivering medical assistance during the Gaza protests in 2018, when he was shot by an Israeli sniper, a day that tragically claimed the lives of 19 other medics. Recently, he was in Gaza, treating the injured amidst the devastation, and has now come to Lebanon, offering his skills without charge to assist those affected in the south and in the Bekaa Valley.Join Ricardo Karam as he delves into Tarek's inspiring story and the impact of his life-saving work in emergency medicine and global health.في هذه الحلقة، نستعرض مسيرة الدكتور طارق لوباني، الطبيب الكندي من أصول فلسطينية الذي كرّس حياته لتقديم الرعاية الطبية في بعض أصعب البيئات في العالم. وُلِد طارق في مخيم نهر البارد، ونشأ في الكويت، ثم انتقل مع عائلته إلى أونتاريو، كندا، في مسيرة تعكس التزاماً لا يتزعزع. كونه مؤسس مشروع “غليا”، قام طارق بتطوير إمدادات طبية مبتكرة ومنخفضة التكلفة، بما في ذلك سماعة طبية مطبوعة بتقنية 3D، لدعم المجتمعات الفقيرة في مناطق الأزمات.مرّ طارق بتجارب قاسية، منها الاحتجاز غير العادل في مصر حيث قضى أسابيع من الاحتجاز القاسي، عام ٢٠١٣، وتعرضه لإصابة خطيرة خلال تقديمه المساعدة الطبية أثناء الاحتجاجات في غزة عام ٢٠١٨، عندما أصيب برصاص قناص إسرائيلي في يوم مأساوي أودى بحياة ١٩ مسعفاً آخرين. مؤخراً، كان طارق في غزة يعالج المصابين وسط الدمار، وقد جاء الآن إلى لبنان ليقدّم خدماته دون مقابل لمساعدة المتضررين في الجنوب والبقاع.انضموا إلى ريكاردو كرم وهو يستعرض قصة طارق لوباني الملهمة والأثر العميق لعمله المنقذ للحياة في مجال الطب الطارئ والصحة العالمية.#viral #explore #ricardokaram #tarekloubani  #بودكاست

Around 890 children have been injured in the past year in Lebanon, according to the country's Ministry of Public Health, with 75 per cent of those injuries occurring in the last month. As the conflict escalates, the number of child casualties has risen rapidly.The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is working to assist children across various affected areas, including Tyre, Rmaich, Marjaaoun, Beirut, and the Bekaa Valley. Their efforts include providing shelter, medical supplies, mental health support, and access to education and essential goods.Tess Ingram, Communications Manager for UNICEF Middle East and North Africa, told Nancy Sarkis of UN News: “Above everything else, the children of Lebanon need peace.”

John Stimpfig reports on how vintners are coping in the Bekaa Valley, Elin McCoy discusses the sale of Duckhorn Portfolio for 1.95 billion dollars, plus Weather Watch and North Hemisphere Harvest reports. We also report on the launch of Taittinger's English Sparkling wine, Berry Brothers entering the auction world and the chance for all of us to buy a little bit of Burgundian history when the BIVB road signs go up for auction this November. This Omnibus is brought to you by our Founder Sponsor, Santa Rita Wine Estates.Find out more at wine-conversation.com

The Israeli army has urged residents of 23 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate - as attacks intensify in the region. Cormac speaks to MedGlobal volunteer & an emergency medicine physician - and U.S. Army veteran Dr. Bing Li, currently in Lebanon supporting local hospitals in the Bekaa Valley region

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Intense Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon have killed at least 492 people in the past 24 hours, making it the country's deadliest day since its brutal civil war ended more than 30 years ago. Lebanon's Health Ministry says at least 35 children are among the dead. There've been widespread strikes - hitting about 1600 sites, so far, targetting dozens of towns and villages in southern Lebanon, as well as southern parts of the capital, and the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon's east.SBS's Janice Petersen spoke to Makram Rabah, Assistant Professor of History from the American University in Beirut and asked him about the reaction in Lebanon.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has told British nationals in Lebanon "now is the time to leave" as Israeli air strikes targeting Hezbollah continue. An additional 700 UK military personnel are being flown to Cyprus tonight, joining 500 who were sent earlier this year. Meanwhile thousands of Lebanese civilians are fleeing the country's south and the Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel.Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken at the United Nations Security Council saying "Russia can only be forced into peace."And a sound designer in LA has developed a new way to start marathons that avoids the sound of a gunshot.

In this episode of Journey of Hope, host Elio Constantine is joined by Camille Melki, CEO and co-founder of Heart for Lebanon, to discuss the organization's response to Lebanon's multifaceted crises.From economic collapse to power shortages, the conversation sheds light on how Heart for Lebanon continues to bring hope to the most vulnerable. Camille elaborates on the country's recent power crisis, explaining how a lack of elected officials and deep-rooted corruption led to a complete shutdown of government-provided electricity. Despite this, Heart for Lebanon remains a beacon of light, thanks to foresighted management and the generosity of its investors. The organization's solar systems and generators ensure uninterrupted Ministry operations, allowing them to continue serving their community.The episode also introduces Heart for Lebanon's new and exciting Ministry opportunity: the Farm to Table Program. Camille shares how a generous donation of land adjacent to their Ministry Center in the Bekaa Valley has been transformed into an agricultural haven. The land now produces seasonal vegetables and fruits, providing both job opportunities and fresh produce to those in need. This initiative not only meets physical needs but also restores dignity and purpose to the community.Heart for Lebanon's commitment to being the light in the midst of darkness is evident in their every action. From providing essential services to offering spiritual care through discipleship programs and Bible studies, they embody Christ's call to be the light of the world.Join us in this episode as we delve into the challenges and triumphs of Heart for Lebanon, and learn how you can be a part of this transformative journey.Don't forget to rate, review, and share this podcast with your family and friends. For more information or to join our prayer team, visit heartforlebanon.org/prayer. If you have any feedback or questions, feel free to email us at podcast@heartforlebanon.org. 

jQuery(document).ready(function(){ cab.clickify(); }); Original Podcast with clickable words https://tinyurl.com/2d8bexy5 Contact: irishlingos@gmail.com Bombing attacks carried out by Israel on southern Lebanon. Ionsaithe buamála déanta ag Iosrael ar dheisceart na Liobáine. Israeli forces carried out bombing attacks on sites in southern Lebanon this morning in an apparent salvo against Hezbollah, after Israeli secret agents killed and injured members of that organization and civilians with booby traps for two days. Rinne fórsaí Iosrael ionsaithe buamála ar ionaid i ndeisceart na Liobáine ar maidin inniu le cneá oscailte Hezbollah a shailleadh, is cosúil, tar éis do ghníomhairí rúnda Iosrael comhaltaí den eagraíocht sin agus sibhialtaigh a mharú agus a ghortú le bobghaistí le dhá lá. Yesterday, 20 people were killed and approximately 450 others were injured when handheld radio devices belonging to members of Hezbollah exploded in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and in the Bekaa Valley in the east of the country. Inné, maraíodh 20 duine agus gortaíodh tuairim is 450 duine eile nuair a phléasc gairis raidió láimhe le comhaltaí de Hezbollah i bpríomhchathair na Liobáine, Béiriút, agus i nGleann Bheiceá in oirthear na tíre. The day before, twelve people were killed - including two children - and nearly 3,000 others were injured when thousands of cellphones exploded with members of Hezbollah in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon. An lá roimhe sin, maraíodh dháréag – beirt pháistí ina measc – agus leonadh beagnach 3,000 duine eile nuair a phléasc na mílte glaoire póca le comhaltaí de Hezbollah i mBéiriut, i nGleann Bheiceá agus i ndeisceart na Liobáine. About 3,000 pagers apparently exploded when a coded message was sent to them. Is cosúil gur phléasc thart ar 3,000 glaoire nuair a seoladh teachtaireacht chódaithe chucu. It is believed to have been a mass cyber attack and it was reported yesterday that Israeli secret agents may have planted small explosive devices in the pagers before Hezbollah bought them from a company based in Taiwan. Glactar leis gur oll-chibirionsaí a bhí ann agus tuairiscíodh inné go mb'fhéidir gur chuir gníomhairí rúnda Iosrael gairis bheaga phléascacha sna glaoirí sular cheannaigh Hezbollah iad ó chomhlacht atá bunaithe sa Téaváin. In a statement, however, the Gold Apollo company indicated that they did not make the callers even though they bear the company's brand. I ráiteas, áfach, thug an comhlacht Gold Apollo le fios nach ndearna siadsan na glaoirí cé go bhfuil branda an chomhlachta orthu. According to the statement, they were made by a company based in the capital of Hungary, Budapest. De réir an ráitis, is comhlacht atá bunaithe i bpríomhchathair na hUngáire, Búdaipeist, a rinne iad. As with the handheld radio devices – or walkie-talkies as they are called – today it is reported that they were branded by a company from Japan. Mar leis na gairis raidió láimhe – nó siúlscéalaithe mar a thugtar orthu – tuairiscítear inniu go raibh branda chomhlacht ón tSeapáin orthu. In a statement, however, the ICOM company said that they stopped making those particular walkers ten years ago. I ráiteas, ámh, dúirt an comhlacht ICOM gur éirigh siad as na siúlscéalaithe áirithe sin a dhéanamh deich mbliana ó shin. RTÉ News and Current Affairs Bombing attack carried out by Israeli forces on the village of Kfar Kila in southern Lebanon Nuacht agus Cúrsaí Reatha RTÉ Ionsaí buamála déanta ag fórsaí Iosrael ar shráidbhaile Kfar Kila i ndeisceart na Liobáine

In partnership with Club Oenologique - the world through the lens of wine and spirits. David chats to the winemaker Faouzi Issa from Lebanon's Domaine des Tourelles, to talk about making wine against the backdrop of conflict and chaos, his passion for old vines and his style of winemaking, focused on freshness and charm. Wines featured: Domaine Wardy Grenache, Bekaa Valley 2022 (silver) Zilzie Wines Platinum Edition Grenache, Barossa, Australia 2022 (silver) Kilikanoon Duke Reserve Grenache, Clare Valley, South Australia 2019 (silver) V'asbos Iconic Grenache Edition 1 2018, Turkey (silver) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Journey of Hope, host Elio Constantine takes us to the Bekaa Valley to speak with Bashir, the pastor of the Hope Evangelical Church and field manager for Heart for Lebanon's operations in the region. Together, they delve into the profound impact of experiencing and sharing the love of Christ.    Bashir shares his personal testimony of coming to Christ at the age of 17 and how his journey has led him to serve both inside and outside the church walls. He emphasizes that knowing Christ compels us to make Him known to others, and he illustrates this through Heart for Lebanon's multifaceted outreach programs.    We hear the poignant story of Alya, a Syrian refugee who found hope and transformation through the love and support of Heart for Lebanon. Despite facing immense personal tragedy and responsibility, Alya's encounter with the church led her to a newfound sense of love and compassion for her family.    Bashir also recounts a touching story of a Syrian Christian family in Zahle who felt isolated until Heart for Lebanon visited them. Their story underscores the importance of building relationships and showing love through simple acts of kindness and presence.    Please join our prayer team at heartforlebanon.org/prayer. Feel free to email us at podcast@heartforlebanon.org.

Today, we delve into the history and significance of Hope Evangelical Church, exploring how holistic ministry has been vital in planting churches amidst Lebanon's turbulent past and present.Our guest, Camille Melki, Heart for Lebanon's founding CEO, shares the remarkable journey of how the Hope Evangelical Church in Ghaziel and the Bekaa Valley came to exist. Initially, planting churches was not on Heart for Lebanon's radar. However, the need to provide a safe place for worship and community for those who were suffering became evident. Discover how these churches have become beacons of hope, bringing together people who were once conditioned to view each other as enemies.Camille discusses the challenges the church faces today and the transformative power of creating a community where everyone is welcomed and loved, regardless of their background. Learn how the church is playing a pivotal role in education, healthcare, and social welfare, restoring dignity and offering tangible support to those in need.Join us as we explore the profound impact of the Hope Evangelical Church, where real reconciliation and peace-building are taking place, and hear inspiring stories of individuals finding hope and love in Christ.

Cinsault or Cinsaut is a grape you've probably rarely heard of, but if you drink Provence or southern French rosé you have it all the time! The grape is planted widely in the south of France, but the grape's biggest champions are in the New World, where Cinsault is getting new attention for making light, acidic, refreshing reds.   This is a warm-climate grape, that actually thrives in dry and hot places. This grape is essential to our changing climate -- it retains acidity with low sugars even in the hottest conditions, providing a lifted, bright note to reds and rosés. Photo: Carignan. Source: Vins-Rhone ___________________________________________________ With typical aromas of ripe red berry fruit, like raspberry, strawberry and cherry, warm spice, and violet or dark flower notes and floral, strawberry, peach, and tea leaf notes in rosé, this is a lovely grape if made well.    Where can you find Cinsault as a varietal wine or a big player in a blend?  France: Southern Rhône, Provence and the Languedoc have big plantings of Cinsault  Other Countries: Italy, Spain, North Africa, Chile, Australia   Then we get to the most impassioned fans of Cinsault… Lebanon: In the mountainous region of the Bekaa Valley, Cinsault has thrived for decades. The famed Chateau Musar red relies on Cinsault in its most prestigious blend  ________ California, USA: California has the oldest Cinsault vines in the world in Lodi, California at the Bechthold Vineyard which was planted in 1886.  ________ South Africa saw growth in Cinsault in the mid 1800s because growers knew it could handle the hot, arid climate around Cape Town. It is a parent of Pilotage. I mention is Natte Valleij as a great Cinsault producer. Other producers from many regions in South Africa are also doing great things with Cinsault.   Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________   Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access.  They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!    To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes    

Today's HeadlinesHezbollah and Israel exchange fire across Lebanon's bordersFire razes a refugee camp; reveals tension between Lebanese and SyriansVictims of Kenya floods include unreached people groups

In this episode, we immerse ourselves in the transformative tale of Joseph Sayah, a man who found the true essence of his faith through the Bible study sessions offered by Heart for Lebanon. Join host Elio Constantine as we navigate Joseph's journey from a 'traditional' Christian background in the Bekaa Valley to a profound spiritual awakening that reshaped his life and beliefs. Joseph's story is one of resilience and revelation. He grew up amidst the turmoil of civil war, harboring dreams of monastic life that were displaced by military service. His traditional Christian upbringing left him with unanswered questions about his faith, which were only magnified by the disciplined spirituality he observed in others.The turning point came with his daughter's marriage to a devout young man of Syrian descent, challenging Joseph's preconceptions and leading him to Heart for Lebanon's spiritual community. There, Joseph's eyes were opened to the teachings of Jesus, the structure of the Bible, and the commandments that he had never fully understood before. Discover how Heart for Lebanon's approach to ministry, rooted in unconditional love and trust, fosters spiritual formation and discipleship. Embrace the opportunity to be a beacon of hope and join us in prayer by visiting heartforlebanon.org. Share your thoughts and questions with us at podcast@heartforlebanon.org, and stay tuned for the next episode. 

To download the transcript CLICK HERE   Welcome back! On today's episode, Join us as we venture into the saga of perseverance in winemaking, set against the tumultuous backdrop of 15/16 years of civil unrest. We uncover the fascinating narrative behind Chateau Musar, the revered wine of the Middle East. Our esteemed guest, Marc Hochar, from the family behind this iconic label, graciously shares their remarkable tales.   We'll delve into the legacy of Serge Hochar (Marc's late father), a driving force behind Chateau Musar, whose unparalleled dedication earned him the prestigious title of Decanter Man of the Year. Together, we'll traverse the landscapes of Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, examining the intricate dance between climate, altitude, and organic viticulture, all shaping the unique essence of these wines.   As we sip on the 2016 Chateau Musar Red, we'll explore the nuances of volatile acidity, wild yeast, and low sulfur, delving into the winemaking philosophies that infuse each bottle with character.   This episode is sponsored by Wickham Wines, A small business themselves focusing on top quality wines. Do yourself a favour, and go check out their online store for their amazing collection! Use the code EATSLEEP10 for 10% off your first order.   If you want to skip ahead:   02.27: The Mzar castle in the Historic village of Ghazir, Beirut 05.17: Toughest points of Chateau Musar's History: Wine & War 11.34: Marc's Grandfather: Gaston - the man who started it all 16.02: A bottle of Chateau Musar's trip to Antarctica 17.58: Identifying Chateau Musar in a blind tasting 19.55: Characteristics of Chateau Musar 21.50: Volatile Acidity in wine and how it enhances Chateau Musar 25.29: The Winemaking process 27.53: Discussing the age potential of these wines and tasting Chateau Musar Red 2016 £31.90 Noble Grape £24.95 The Worsley Fine Wines 29.27: Discussing emotion in wine instead of fruit 31.40: Organic viticulture in the vineyards 39.49: Climate and terroir in Bekaa Valley 36.37: Bush vines and yields 40.55: Discussing the differences between the reds and tasting Hochar Pere Et Fils 2020 £23.55 Field & Fawcett £26.95 Secret Bottle Shop   Any thoughts or questions, do email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat   If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time, Cheers to you!   ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

In this episode of Journey of Hope, we step into the classrooms of Heart for Lebanon's H.O.P.E. (Helping Overcome Poverty through Education) Program, where transformative stories unfold every day.Our host, Elio Constantine, takes us on a journey to discover the profound impact this initiative has on the lives of over 1,000 at-risk children in Lebanon.Bashir, the field manager and a lead pastor, shares the program's history and its exponential growth from 27 to 400 students in the Bekaa Valley alone. He emphasizes the importance of sharing Christian values and the love of Jesus, which resonate not only with the children but also ripple out to touch entire families.Witness the narrative of change through the eyes of Maram, a 13-year-old girl who learned the value of kindness and equality through the program's Bible sessions. Maram's aspirations to become a psychologist and help those with mental health challenges highlight the program's success in instilling hope and ambition in the hearts of these young learners. Learn how Heart for Lebanon is battling the crisis of education and childhood neglect by providing a sanctuary of learning and love. Hear from Aida, a dedicated teacher, and Bushra, a former student, who both testify to the nurturing environment and personalized care that set the H.O.P.E. Program apart from any other educational experience.As Elio Constantine wraps up the episode, he extends a heartfelt invitation to listeners to engage with Heart for Lebanon's mission. By visiting heartforlebanon.org/prayer, you can join the prayer community, support the program, and help sow seeds of hope in the fertile ground of young hearts and minds.For questions, email podcast@heartforlebanon.org

On February 6, 2023 a devastating earthquake hit Turkey and northern Syria. Registering 7.8 in magnitude, and affected an estimated 15 million people. Though no damage occured, the earthquake itself was felt all the way into Lebanon. Many of the families we were already serving had family members directly affected. By the grace of God and the compassionate heart of our investors, Heart for Lebanon's warehouse in the Bekaa Valley was fully stocked with blankets, coats, and other survival essentials. Within days we were able to mobilize these items so that they could reach families most in need. Some families moved to Lebanon after their homes were completely destroyed and we have been serving them with Jesus Christ's love. Almost one year after the earthquake we take a look back at those horrifying first days, pray for those who are still struggling because of the loss of family members or homes, and praise God that over and over He has allowed us to be prepared to meet needs of people in desperate need with God's message of hope.

Join Hugo and Ben as they discuss and taste their 3 wines of the week: Good value: 2021 Cotes du Rhone, Domaine de la Mordorée Wacky and wonderful: 2010 White, Chateau Musar Fine wine: 2022 Morgon, Marcel Lapierre Each wine is available from the merchants below: Good value: Lea & Sandeman⁠ Wacky and Wonderful: Sandhams Wine Merchants Fine Wine: Noble Green Wines⁠ Follow The Premier Cru on all audio and social platforms: YouTube Instagram Facebook

Join Hugo and Ben as they discuss and taste their 3 wines of the week: Good value wine: Rolly Gassman Riesling 2019 Wacky & wonderful wine: Bodega Chacra Barda 2021 Fine wine: Chateau Musar Red 2010 Each wine is available via the merchants below: Good value wine: London End Wines Wacky & wonderful wine: Lea & Sandeman Fine wine: Sandhams Wine Merchants Follow The Premier Cru on all audio channels (e.g. Spotify, Apple etc) and social platforms: YouTube Instagram Facebook

Goodfellas meets Savages meets Catch Me If You Can in this true tale of high-stakes smuggling from pot's outlaw years.Richard Stratton was the unlikeliest of kingpins. A clean-cut Wellesley boy who entered outlaw culture on a trip to Mexico, he saw his search for a joint morph into a thrill-filled dope run smuggling two kilos across the border in his car door. He became a member of the Hippie Mafia, traveling the world to keep America high, living the underground life while embracing the hippie credo, rejecting hard drugs in favor of marijuana and hashish. With cameos by Whitey Bulger and Norman Mailer, Smuggler's Blues tells Stratton's adventure while centering on his last years as he travels from New York to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley to source and smuggle high-grade hash in the midst of civil war, from the Caribbean to the backwoods of Maine, and from the Chelsea Hotel to the Plaza as his fortunes rise and fall. All the while he is being pursued by his nemesis, a philosophical DEA agent who respects him for his good business practices.A true-crime story that reads like fiction, Smuggler's Blues is a psychedelic road trip through international drug smuggling, the hippie underground, and the war on weed. As Big Marijuana emerges, it brings to vivid life an important chapter in pot's cultural history.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/1198501/advertisement

Goodfellas meets Savages meets Catch Me If You Can in this true tale of high-stakes smuggling from pot's outlaw years.Richard Stratton was the unlikeliest of kingpins. A clean-cut Wellesley boy who entered outlaw culture on a trip to Mexico, he saw his search for a joint morph into a thrill-filled dope run smuggling two kilos across the border in his car door. He became a member of the Hippie Mafia, traveling the world to keep America high, living the underground life while embracing the hippie credo, rejecting hard drugs in favor of marijuana and hashish. With cameos by Whitey Bulger and Norman Mailer, Smuggler's Blues tells Stratton's adventure while centering on his last years as he travels from New York to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley to source and smuggle high-grade hash in the midst of civil war, from the Caribbean to the backwoods of Maine, and from the Chelsea Hotel to the Plaza as his fortunes rise and fall. All the while he is being pursued by his nemesis, a philosophical DEA agent who respects him for his good business practices.A true-crime story that reads like fiction, Smuggler's Blues is a psychedelic road trip through international drug smuggling, the hippie underground, and the war on weed. As Big Marijuana emerges, it brings to vivid life an important chapter in pot's cultural history.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/1198501/advertisement

Goodfellas meets Savages meets Catch Me If You Can in this true tale of high-stakes smuggling from pot's outlaw years.Richard Stratton was the unlikeliest of kingpins. A clean-cut Wellesley boy who entered outlaw culture on a trip to Mexico, he saw his search for a joint morph into a thrill-filled dope run smuggling two kilos across the border in his car door. He became a member of the Hippie Mafia, traveling the world to keep America high, living the underground life while embracing the hippie credo, rejecting hard drugs in favor of marijuana and hashish. With cameos by Whitey Bulger and Norman Mailer, Smuggler's Blues tells Stratton's adventure while centering on his last years as he travels from New York to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley to source and smuggle high-grade hash in the midst of civil war, from the Caribbean to the backwoods of Maine, and from the Chelsea Hotel to the Plaza as his fortunes rise and fall. All the while he is being pursued by his nemesis, a philosophical DEA agent who respects him for his good business practices.A true-crime story that reads like fiction, Smuggler's Blues is a psychedelic road trip through international drug smuggling, the hippie underground, and the war on weed. As Big Marijuana emerges, it brings to vivid life an important chapter in pot's cultural history.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/1198501/advertisement

Goodfellas meets Savages meets Catch Me If You Can in this true tale of high-stakes smuggling from pot's outlaw years.Richard Stratton was the unlikeliest of kingpins. A clean-cut Wellesley boy who entered outlaw culture on a trip to Mexico, he saw his search for a joint morph into a thrill-filled dope run smuggling two kilos across the border in his car door. He became a member of the Hippie Mafia, traveling the world to keep America high, living the underground life while embracing the hippie credo, rejecting hard drugs in favor of marijuana and hashish. With cameos by Whitey Bulger and Norman Mailer, Smuggler's Blues tells Stratton's adventure while centering on his last years as he travels from New York to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley to source and smuggle high-grade hash in the midst of civil war, from the Caribbean to the backwoods of Maine, and from the Chelsea Hotel to the Plaza as his fortunes rise and fall. All the while he is being pursued by his nemesis, a philosophical DEA agent who respects him for his good business practices.A true-crime story that reads like fiction, Smuggler's Blues is a psychedelic road trip through international drug smuggling, the hippie underground, and the war on weed. As Big Marijuana emerges, it brings to vivid life an important chapter in pot's cultural history.Buty the book https://amzn.to/47Y6EOuThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/1198501/advertisement

James aka Mr. Too Damn Children's Atlas himself came over on probably the hottest day of the year to whip us into shape RE: The Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean regions, rosés, and Phoenicians. Spoiler alert: We really push the definition of what a rosé can be by, like, wine #3. This is going to be such a cool season. Please, please, please, seek out wine from here and drink it. The more we do, the more we'll see and then hopefully we can send Duck to do journalism in Izmir or something. ////LIST////Çalkarasi,  Aegean Turkey,  'Pasaeli,' 2022//Mersel Wines, Bekaa Valley, 'Leb Nat,' 2022//Manolis Garalis, Lemnos, Terra Roza, 2020//Domaine de Kalathas, Tinos Island, 'To Kokkinaki,' 2018//Malthin-Chyssos, Amygdalos, 'Vidiano,' 2019////Support the show

In the Bekaa Valley region of Lebanon, there is a giant walk-in fridge housing tens of thousands of seeds. They belong to the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Scientists from around the world use the seeds for research. ICARDA seeds have improved food security in several countries. They've transformed Ethiopian agriculture to use more drought-resistant crops. A new chickpea can be planted in winter. And now, NPR's Middle East correspondent Ruth Sherlock has found that some scientists are turning to the seed bank for answers to a hotter, drier planet. They're hoping ICARDA seeds will lead to breakthroughs in certain crops' resilience to the effects of climate change. Read more of Ruth's reporting: https://n.pr/3IZB2OdCurious about other potential climate solutions scientists are researching? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

Goodfellas meets Savages meets Catch Me If You Can in this true tale of high-stakes smuggling from pot's outlaw years.Richard Stratton was the unlikeliest of kingpins. A clean-cut Wellesley boy who entered outlaw culture on a trip to Mexico, he saw his search for a joint morph into a thrill-filled dope run smuggling two kilos across the border in his car door. He became a member of the Hippie Mafia, traveling the world to keep America high, living the underground life while embracing the hippie credo, rejecting hard drugs in favor of marijuana and hashish. With cameos by Whitey Bulger and Norman Mailer, Smuggler's Blues tells Stratton's adventure while centering on his last years as he travels from New York to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley to source and smuggle high-grade hash in the midst of civil war, from the Caribbean to the backwoods of Maine, and from the Chelsea Hotel to the Plaza as his fortunes rise and fall. All the while he is being pursued by his nemesis, a philosophical DEA agent who respects him for his good business practices.A true-crime story that reads like fiction, Smuggler's Blues is a psychedelic road trip through international drug smuggling, the hippie underground, and the war on weed. As Big Marijuana emerges, it brings to vivid life an important chapter in pot's cultural history.

Goodfellas meets Savages meets Catch Me If You Can in this true tale of high-stakes smuggling from pot's outlaw years.Richard Stratton was the unlikeliest of kingpins. A clean-cut Wellesley boy who entered outlaw culture on a trip to Mexico, he saw his search for a joint morph into a thrill-filled dope run smuggling two kilos across the border in his car door. He became a member of the Hippie Mafia, traveling the world to keep America high, living the underground life while embracing the hippie credo, rejecting hard drugs in favor of marijuana and hashish. With cameos by Whitey Bulger and Norman Mailer, Smuggler's Blues tells Stratton's adventure while centering on his last years as he travels from New York to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley to source and smuggle high-grade hash in the midst of civil war, from the Caribbean to the backwoods of Maine, and from the Chelsea Hotel to the Plaza as his fortunes rise and fall. All the while he is being pursued by his nemesis, a philosophical DEA agent who respects him for his good business practices.A true-crime story that reads like fiction, Smuggler's Blues is a psychedelic road trip through international drug smuggling, the hippie underground, and the war on weed. As Big Marijuana emerges, it brings to vivid life an important chapter in pot's cultural history.

In this episode, Newcastle Team Lead Emma talks to Asma Patel, the director of Endless Medical Advantage (EMA). EMA is an organisation working to provide healthcare services and humanitarian relief support for refugee and vulnerable communities across the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. They discuss EMA, the refugee context in Lebanon, volunteer tourism and more. More from SolidariTee: https://www.solidaritee.org.uk IG @teesofsolidarity Twitter @SolidariTeeUK Hosted by Emma Pallent Produced and edited by Sophie Cowell Music by Efeloji

Today's HeadlinesLebanon begins vaccinating against choleraSomali Christians adapt to severe persecutionShareen's story: a divine domino effect

On this episode of LFHM, Courtney and Jonah discuss their trip to Lebanon and the food they ate while there. Listen to Courtney say dumb stuff like "fresh raw veg" and assume that everyone knows about the French occupation of Lebanon. Find out just how much Jonah hates mint and regrets not buying wine from the Bekaa Valley!   https://linktr.ee/lovefoodhatemoney   Send us your industry stories here: Hello@lovefoodhatemoney.com or on IG @lovefoodhatemoney.   Original music and editing by Jon Watkins of Feathered Fiction Studios.

The Jewish Story Season 5 Episode 18: The Lebanon War Part III – The Invasion Crossing into Lebanon to destroy PLO started as a successful mission, and when the IDF destroyed the Syrian SAM belt in the Bekaa Valley through … Read the rest The post The Jewish Story Season 5: The Lebanon War Part III first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading The Jewish Story Season 5: The Lebanon War Part III at Elmad Online Learning.

In this episode of CorkRules, we travel to Lebanon and Morrocco to sample wines from the exotic lands of Lebanon and Morrocco. Host Robert Tas and sommelier Michaela Quinlan explore the wine list of Ilili, a Lebanese restaurant situated on Fifth Avenue but with roots that stretch back three generations to Beruit. Wines reviewed include: Massaya Blanc 2020 from the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon Domaine des Tourelles Cinsault 2018 Domaine de Baal Blanc 2018. For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com

Crossing into Lebanon to destroy PLO started as a successful mission, and when the IDF destroyed the Syrian SAM belt in the Bekaa Valley through Operation Mole Cricket 19 it looked like victory was assured. Nonetheless as Defense Minister Ariel Sharon pursued Yasser Arafat (and his dreams of a peace treaty) into the Siege of Beirut, he discovered that his Maronite allies were not to be trusted and that it is easier to enter Lebanon than to leave.

Crossing into Lebanon to destroy PLO started as a successful mission, and when the IDF destroyed the Syrian SAM belt in the Bekaa Valley through Operation Mole Cricket 19 it looked like victory was assured. Nonetheless as Defense Minister Ariel Sharon pursued Yasser Arafat (and his dreams of a peace treaty) into the Siege of Beirut, he discovered that his Maronite allies were not to be trusted and that it is easier to enter Lebanon than to leave.

Eddie Chami, the hottest winemaker, came on to talk about holding his breath, getting kidnapped in Syria, making wine in Lebanon and getting respect for indigenous varietals in the fertile crescent. Absolutely incredible knowledge drop, holy shit, and its hard to overstate how dope the wines we tasted are.  This is your wake up call to taste a lot more Eastern Mediterranean wines, like basically ASAP.  Specifically, probably snag some Mersel Wine.////LIST////Mersel Wines, UNLABELED MERWAH PETNAT 2022//Philokalia, Bethlehem, 'Grapes of Wrath,' 2020//Cremisan, West Bank, 'Baladi / Star of Bethlehem,' 2020//Vertical 33, Bekaa Valley, 'Cinsault du Soir,' 2017//Back Home Beer, Persian Blue Lager////Off Mic: Muaddi Arak // Wildarc Arak ////Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/Disgorgeous)

From Tlmecen through to Bethlehem and the Bekaa Valley, we chart the history of wine production in the Middle East and North Africa. Farrah Berrou talks us through her journey of wine writing for a Western audience and what the future holds for Lebanese wine. We also explore the relationship between french colonialism and wine production, and ideas of nationhood, religion, and politics in Algeria and Palestine. Farrah is founder of B for Bacchus, a media platform & podcast featuring wine stories from the Fertile Crescent. Farrah is also a contributing editor to The Wine Zine, a print publication about natural wine. This episode also features commentary from Jamal Rayyis, a Palestinian-American wine writer, as well as Arthur Asseraf, historian of modern North Africa, France and the Mediterranean.

While some of us have watched helplessly at those harrowing images from Afghanistan, award winning artist and social commentator Ben Quilty has stepped up to help the plight of the Afghan people. Once Australia's official war artist in Kabul, in this episode Ben offers a unique perspective on the plight of the Afghan people in the face of the Taliban. Also in discussion is his time at the Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley for World Vision. In the second half of this episode Ben talks about his wonderful relationship with Margaret Olley, including a story involving a hospital, all the flowers, cigarettes and Margaret being very inappropriate, and later Ben reflects on his relationship with Myuran Sukumaran who at the time of his death described Ben as the "second best artist in Australia."  Episode notes -  Ben Quilty has kicked off a fundraising campaign for UNHCR - the United Nations High Commission for Refugees - to try and help the people he lived with, worked alongside and shared in their remarkable stories of survival. Search Ben Quilty Afghanistan Raisely or click on this link -  www.crisis-in-afghanistan.raisely.com/ben-quilty You can find Stellar magazine in print every Sunday, pick up the latest copy inside The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), the Sunday Herald Sun (Victoria), The Sunday Mail (Queensland), Sunday Mail (SA) and Sunday Tasmanian (Tasmania).    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smuggler's Blues: A True Story of the Hippie Mafia Goodfellas meets Savages meets Catch Me If You Can in this true tale of high-stakes smuggling from pot's outlaw years.Richard Stratton was the unlikeliest of kingpins. A clean-cut Wellesley boy who entered outlaw culture on a trip to Mexico, he saw his search for a joint morph into a thrill-filled dope run smuggling two kilos across the border in his car door. He became a member of the Hippie Mafia, traveling the world to keep America high, living the underground life while embracing the hippie credo, rejecting hard drugs in favor of marijuana and hashish. With cameos by Whitey Bulger and Norman Mailer, Smuggler's Blues tells Stratton's adventure while centering on his last years as he travels from New York to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley to source and smuggle high-grade hash in the midst of civil war, from the Caribbean to the backwoods of Maine, and from the Chelsea Hotel to the Plaza as his fortunes rise and fall. All the while he is being pursued by his nemesis, a philosophical DEA agent who respects him for his good business practices.A true-crime story that reads like fiction, Smuggler's Blues is a psychedelic road trip through international drug smuggling, the hippie underground, and the war on weed. As Big Marijuana emerges, it brings to vivid life an important chapter in pot's cultural history.

Smuggler's Blues: A True Story of the Hippie Mafia Goodfellas meets Savages meets Catch Me If You Can in this true tale of high-stakes smuggling from pot's outlaw years. Richard Stratton was the unlikeliest of kingpins. A clean-cut Wellesley boy who entered outlaw culture on a trip to Mexico, he saw his search for a joint morph into a thrill-filled dope run smuggling two kilos across the border in his car door. He became a member of the Hippie Mafia, traveling the world to keep America high, living the underground life while embracing the hippie credo, rejecting hard drugs in favor of marijuana and hashish. With cameos by Whitey Bulger and Norman Mailer, Smuggler's Blues tells Stratton's adventure while centering on his last years as he travels from New York to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley to source and smuggle high-grade hash in the midst of civil war, from the Caribbean to the backwoods of Maine, and from the Chelsea Hotel to the Plaza as his fortunes rise and fall. All the while he is being pursued by his nemesis, a philosophical DEA agent who respects him for his good business practices. A true-crime story that reads like fiction, Smuggler's Blues is a psychedelic road trip through international drug smuggling, the hippie underground, and the war on weed. As Big Marijuana emerges, it brings to vivid life an important chapter in pot's cultural history.

Smuggler's Blues: A True Story of the Hippie Mafia Goodfellas meets Savages meets Catch Me If You Can in this true tale of high-stakes smuggling from pot's outlaw years. Richard Stratton was the unlikeliest of kingpins. A clean-cut Wellesley boy who entered outlaw culture on a trip to Mexico, he saw his search for a joint morph into a thrill-filled dope run smuggling two kilos across the border in his car door. He became a member of the Hippie Mafia, traveling the world to keep America high, living the underground life while embracing the hippie credo, rejecting hard drugs in favor of marijuana and hashish. With cameos by Whitey Bulger and Norman Mailer, Smuggler's Blues tells Stratton's adventure while centering on his last years as he travels from New York to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley to source and smuggle high-grade hash in the midst of civil war, from the Caribbean to the backwoods of Maine, and from the Chelsea Hotel to the Plaza as his fortunes rise and fall. All the while he is being pursued by his nemesis, a philosophical DEA agent who respects him for his good business practices. A true-crime story that reads like fiction, Smuggler's Blues is a psychedelic road trip through international drug smuggling, the hippie underground, and the war on weed. As Big Marijuana emerges, it brings to vivid life an important chapter in pot's cultural history.

Smuggler's Blues: A True Story of the Hippie Mafia Goodfellas meets Savages meets Catch Me If You Can in this true tale of high-stakes smuggling from pot's outlaw years.Richard Stratton was the unlikeliest of kingpins. A clean-cut Wellesley boy who entered outlaw culture on a trip to Mexico, he saw his search for a joint morph into a thrill-filled dope run smuggling two kilos across the border in his car door. He became a member of the Hippie Mafia, traveling the world to keep America high, living the underground life while embracing the hippie credo, rejecting hard drugs in favor of marijuana and hashish. With cameos by Whitey Bulger and Norman Mailer, Smuggler's Blues tells Stratton's adventure while centering on his last years as he travels from New York to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley to source and smuggle high-grade hash in the midst of civil war, from the Caribbean to the backwoods of Maine, and from the Chelsea Hotel to the Plaza as his fortunes rise and fall. All the while he is being pursued by his nemesis, a philosophical DEA agent who respects him for his good business practices.A true-crime story that reads like fiction, Smuggler's Blues is a psychedelic road trip through international drug smuggling, the hippie underground, and the war on weed. As Big Marijuana emerges, it brings to vivid life an important chapter in pot's cultural history.

With the help of a local startup, for one municipality in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, not all organic waste has to actually go to waste. A new Mezze from the CSIS Middle East Program. This vignette is taken from the CSIS Middle East Program's report, “Sustainable States: Environment, Governance, and the Future of the Middle East," available on the CSIS website.

In the first of its kind in podcast history, Dilly Hussain hosts veteran humanitarian worker and activist Yusuf Chambers in the middle of a Syrian refugee camp at Bekaa Valley in the Lebanon-Syria border. #BloodBrothersPodcast​ #YusufChambers​ #Charity​ Topics of discussion and timestamps: Aid work, fundraising content & desensitisation: 01:58​​ Giving charity in the UK/West of the Muslim world: 10:10​ Separating humanitarian work with politics: 21:16​ Charity work & the failure of states: 31:04​ Long term solutions to the Muslim refugee crisis: 35:17​

Visste du at det finnes noen rødviner som faktisk smaker jul? Sara Døscher har som vanlig med seg noen utvalgte viner i studio og avslører hvilke viner hun selv velger for å komme i julestemning. Vi snakker om hvordan du faktisk kan drikke et lite stykke Libanesisk historie og vi tar et liten tur innom selveste Bordeaux. Vinene herfra har mer til felles med Libanons viner enn du kanskje visste. Og så forteller vi deg selvsagt hva slags deilig mat som passer til dagens to viner. Med andre ord: denne episoden er både en helgehandleliste og oppskriften på hvordan du kommer i skikkelig julestemning denne helgen! Her er Sara Døschers fredagstips som blir snakket om i denne episoden:Ch. Musar 2013 (Bekaa Valley, Libanon)Historisk rødvin som smaker jul! En klassiker dette. Nyt som den er, eller til and med fikenkompott! Kr. 410Varenummer: 1005301Link til vinen: https://www.vinmonopolet.no/Land/Libanon/Ch-Musar-2013/p/1005301 [vinmonopolet.no] Ch. Lanessan 2008 (Bordeaux, Frankrike)Deilig ferdig modnet rød Bordeaux. Nyt til peis eller lam eller begge deler. Kr. 276Varenummer: 3048901Link til vinen: https://www.vinmonopolet.no/Land/Frankrike/Ch-Lanessan-2008/p/3048901 [vinmonopolet.no]Alkoholfritt som smaker jul:Egge Gård Eplegløgg med plomme Kr. 76Varenummer: 9456801Link til vinen: https://www.vinmonopolet.no/Land/Norge/Egge-Gård-Eplegløgg-med-Plomme/p/9456801 [vinmonopolet.no]Veldig mye gløgg (både med og uten alkohol) er allerede utsolgt på Vinmonopolet, men denne er det noen igjen av her og der. Får du ikke tak i den er mitt beste tips å varme opp en god, fyldig eplemost og tilsette julekrydder (f.eks. kanelstang, stjerneanis og kardemommefrø). La trekke en stund og smak eventuelt til med litt honning.

Duck is joined by Lebanese content creator extraordinaire Farrah Berrou to discuss the history of wine in the region, interesting uses for amphorae, and how listeners can actually aid in the recovery from the blast in the port of Beirut on August 4th. If you can, please consider donating to the Lebanese Red cross or Impact Lebanon, and certainly make time in your drinking schedule for some Baalbek Bangers. Please listen to Farrah's podcast, B for Bacchus, and consider booking a class with her via zoom. ////LIST////Couvent Rouge (Walid Habchy & Eddie Chami), VDT, 'Leb-Nat Ruby,' 2019,//Dar Richi, Bekaa Valley, 'Hanan,' 2018 //Domaine Des Tourelles, Bekaa Valley, Carignan, 2018////Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/Disgorgeous)

Today I discuss the wonderful world of musical therapy with Professor Nigel Osbourne. His works have been featured in most major international festivals and performed by many leading orchestras and ensembles around the world. He has also composed extensively for the theatre and through his Institute in Edinburgh, is exploring the interfaces of music and science in important areas such as mental and physical well-being.He has also pioneered methods of using music and the creative arts to support children who are victims of conflict. This approach was developed during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1992-95), and since then the work has been implemented widely in the Balkan region, the Caucasus (Chechnya), the Middle East (Palestine, Syria and Lebanon), East Africa and South East Asia. He is currently working with Syrian refugees in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, and planning a new intervention in Yemen. In 2009 he was awarded the Freedom Prize of the Peace Institute, Sarajevo, for his work for Bosnian children during the siege of the city. In today’s podcast we discuss:Nigel’s background and experience in Bosnia, Sarajevo, during the conflictThe wave of energy hitting you if you spark joy in children with musicHow this led to a deeper understanding and exploration of the neuroscience of musical therapyThe Neurological, Biological and Psychological impact of musicHow music is the social glue that enhances our sense of wellbeing and is universally recognisable across culturesThe applications across disciplines such as ADHD, Dyslexia, PTSD, Depression, Mental Health and Neurodegenerative diseaseX-System – A project that aims to predict our neurophysiological reaction based on computational data allowing personalised music therapyHow music sculpts our inner senses, our autonomic nervous system and our hormones We also wanted to share with you a project that is very close to Nigel's heart - Edinburgh Direct Aid. Nigel is currently supporting a music therapy project they are running in Lebanon. The Director of the project - Dr Denis Rutovitz, is a former Human Geneticist and Medical Researcher, and the Medical Adviser, Dr Colin Cooper, a hugely respected retired Edinburgh GP. Please do have a look at the work they do, they would be delighted with any support.Please do check out The Doctor's Kitchen website for full show notes and guest links and resources for this podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With a history that stretches back perhaps 9,000 years to 7,000 B.C., Lebanon contains some of the original winemaking areas. In spite of political turmoil, violence, and opposition to wine (and all alcohol) and winemaking, this country has always found a way to keep production alive. Its unlikely location and small size may seem, at first glance, to be an impossibility for quality wine but the geography and the fortitude of the people here have created a unique and enduring wine culture. In the show we discuss the long history of Lebanon in wine -- from the Phoenicians, to the Greeks and Romans, monks, and then to the French, who had such a huge influence in their 30 year tie to this region between World War I and World War II. Below are some notes on the climate, the spellings of the regions, and the producers we mention: Lebanon is only about 150 miles long and 60 wide but it is extremely varied in terms of altitude and topography -- with beaches, hills, and high, snow-capped mountains all contained within.  It is at 33.5˚N latitude, about the same as Margaret River in Australia, and within the traditional grape growing band of 30˚-50˚ latitude (north or south) There are four main geographic regions: the coastal plain, the Mount Lebanon range (altitudes of nearly 10,000 feet), the Bekaa Valley, and the Anti-Lebanon Range Most wine producers are in the western Bekaa but some are experimenting with new terroir in Batroun and  areas in the Eastern Bekaa The key to good wine in Lebanon is altitude: The Bekaa Valley has altitude of around 1,000m/3,820ft. This is a plateau but there is a moderating influence of Mount Lebanon and the area has snowmelt and rain runoff from the mountain to provide ample water for grapes The soils are colluvial (runoff from mountains) so they are divers and contain limestone, clay/loam, stones, gravel and some red terra rossa soil similar to Coonawarra in South Australia Climate is Mediterranean, with long, dry and often very hot summers. The mountains and valley get very cold at night and the diurnal temperature swings are so dramatic that grapes can maintain acidity if grown in the right places  The Wines: Only about 2,000 ha/4,942 acres are cultivated and yields are extremely low The main reds are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault (the grape with the longest heritage), Carignan, Grenache, with Merlot, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo and Pinot Noir The main whites are: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier, Muscat, Clairette, and Riesling along with indigenous grapes Merwah and Obaideh The wines have always been known for excellent fragrance, spice, and a sweet aroma (but not flavor) French influence is everywhere in these wines-- some of the top wine producers from France consult for wineries in Lebanon and help craft the wines of the top producers   Top Producers are: Château Ksara Château Kefraya Domaine des Tourelles Château Musar Massaya Ixsir Domaine Wardy Above: Ixsir Most of these wines are around USD$20! They are worth a try!    _____________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople To sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!  And get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!    Wine Access  Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more!  Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine club, which is the REAL DEAL!  Wine Access is fantastic and satisfaction is guaranteed! Give them a try -- you won't regret it!  

RECORDED BEFORE CORONAVIRUS. Farrah speaks to Joe Saade of Terre Joie, the home of vineyards that sit on the vertex of 3 tectonic plates in the Bekaa Valley. From Saddam Hussein to Amal Clooney, this episode is jam-packed with info on what makes the wines of Lebanon so special and what needs to be done so people all around the world know that. Joe's blog Michel Basbous

Part 2 of 2 episodes where Farrah talks to brother-sister duos from two Bekaa Valley wineries. In both episodes/wineries, the older sister handles marketing & sales while the younger brother is in charge of winemaking. They've got a lot in common but the main similarity for both teams is that they came back to Lebanon for one thing: to build a winery together. Part 2 features Eddy & Eva Naim of Chateau Qanafar.

Part 1 of 2 episodes where Farrah talks to brother-sister duos from two Bekaa Valley wineries. In both episodes/wineries, the older sister handles marketing & sales while the younger brother is in charge of winemaking. They've got a lot in common but the main similarity for both teams is that they came back to Lebanon for one thing: to build a winery together. Part 1 features Peter & Aida Skaff of Reserve Ammiq.

Voices from the Square, Part 4 with co-host Elia Haber, bringing conversations and reflections directly from Martyrs Square. Elia captures the October Uprising with her fifth and sixth guests, Joelle Assaf - a 24-year old working in advocacy / reform in the Bekaa Valley, and Mohamad Bzeih, a 28-year old software designer and architect. Both Joelle and Mohamad share their demands for political change, fighting corruption and what economic improvement should look like. If you're enjoying these episodes, help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing to our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan And subscribe to our podcast from your preferred podcast platform. Follow us on Instagram: thebeirutbanyan Twitter: beirut_banyan Facebook: The Beirut Banyan Website: www.beirutbanyan.com Graphics by Sara Tarhini

The Bekaa Valley is home to the modern Lebanese wine industry. It is also one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. Today, over 90% of all wine produced in Lebanon comes from the Bekaa Valley. This wine region has seen phenomenal growth since the late 1990s, when there were only 5 wineries. Today, there are over 30 wineries in the Bekaa Valley. ***Subscribe to our Channels for more: *** ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BEVERAGETRADENETWORK ► iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bevcast/ ► Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=233919&refid=st

With Lebanon set to legalise its infamous cannabis industry, Middle East Correspondent Adam Harvey went to the Bekaa Valley to find out more.

A.E. Sawan Presents A Story of Obsession and Revenge In THE GHOST THE GHOST: An Assassin’s Story, is based on the true story of the author’s experiences growing up in Lebanon during that country’s bloody civil war, as well as his time as a counter-terrorist operative. The story follows “Paul” from his childhood in the Bekaa Valley to adulthood when he is recruited and trained as a killer by both Israel’s Mossad and the CIA. A tale of obsession and revenge, in this first book of the Al Shabah Assassin Series, Paul ultimately finds himself on the trail of a childhood nemesis who had become the feared charismatic leader of a violent jihadist group. This fast-paced thriller takes Paul around the world in his personal search for truth and justice, and a final showdown with a yellow-eyed terrorist who one violent day ended Paul’s childhood and set him on the road to becoming an assassin. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/burl-barer/support

With Lebanon set to legalise its infamous cannabis industry, Middle East correspondent Adam Harvey went to the Bekaa Valley to find out more. It didn't turn out to be the simple day of filming he'd imagined.

The land known as Mount Lebanon and which constituted under the Maan and Chehab dynasties the political entity governed by a local ‘Prince' after securing the sine qua non approval of the Ottoman suzerain, had few truisms inherent to it and embedded in its collective consciousness.  The truisms comprised the selection of a somewhat just ‘Prince' assisted by a group of mostly loyal, but often perfidious notables. Within such mountainous elite the degrees of perfidy and corruption varied from one century to another and sometimes within the same decades. The ‘Prince' was generally viewed as a ruler with no official religion, and an arbiter of causes who is presumed to have an acute sense of equity and justice. He stood above all the rest since by birth he belonged to a princely line, and not to any particular feudal family, or a region or just a community. This placed him in a unique position of impartiality. The Maan's were Druzes whereas the Chehabs were Sunnis and later converts to Christianity. The first were from the Chouf and the second from Wadi Al Taym. Little did these local differences matter. The justice and equity of Fakhr El Din II were exemplary. That of Bachir II less so, but it was well known that under his rule a mule carrying a stack of gold could travel throughout the mountain with no fears of being stolen. Fakhr El Din II belonged to the political faction known as Qaisi, not a religious party. His opponents the princely Alameddines  were the standard-bearers of the Yemini party, another non-religious affiliation. As far as religion was concerned it was noted that Fakhr El Din II, whilst a proud Druze, gifted Druze lands to the Maronite Church from as far as Nahr El Kalb to Jezzine. Prince Bachir II was born Sunni, lived like a Druze and died a Maronite, buried at the Armenian cemetery in Istanbul. Lineage, social status, and political partisanship were far more important affiliations than sectarianism. On the far end, the composition of the country's notable class was premised on  loyalty and bravery in battles, not on religious grounds. Notables were from all confessions and regions of Mount Lebanon and beyond. Druze, Sunnis, Shia, Maronites and Orthodox clansmen bound together, from the cliffs of the Kesrouan to the ridges of the Chouf to the high Metn and Bekaa Valley. The notables were chosen to assist the 'Prince' in ruling the country based on their closeness to said ‘Prince': by allegiance to either the Qaisi or Yemini parties. Not by faith or remittances. No religion was favored and no gold in the world could buy a notable such a title, or a place at the Prince's table. Gold was always useful -but not indispensable- for winning the favors of the ruler but not to acquire feudal status. In essence gold was best left to souk merchants, to rapacious Ottoman Pashas, and to insatiable tax collectors. The notables of Mount Lebanon, in reality a grouping of tax farmers whose role was to collect the yearly tribute and  raise a small army in times of war, had gained their status due, in part, to merit. Valor on the field (at the battles of Marj Dabik or Ain Dara) or loyalty to the princely household (Maan or Chehab), or both. This did not absolve this class from the sins of corruption and exploitation. Corruption was manifest, and exploitation was rampant in the treatment of peasants. These wretched souls toiled the land, worked menial jobs, paid their individual tax (the Miri), and answered the call of war without hesitation or much choice. For the peasantry which constituted the majority of the populace, the government or rather the ultimate source of power was situated far away in Istanbul. The sole representative of said power was ‘the Prince'. He was the only manifestation of such authority on earth. The ‘Prince' was in essence the government and vice versa. The notables were intermediaries between the former and the people. The masses rarely met the government, a.k.a. the ‘Prince',

The Beqaa Valley, also known as the Bekaa Valley and, occasionally, The Phoenician Mother Lovin' Pimp Zone, just so happens to be the best spot for wine in all of the Middle East.  As long as you don't mind military struggles, religious infighting, and the occasional bunker buster or tank near your wine tasting room, then you should be ready to go.  Listen to this podcast with some mezze and it'll be less falawful. Or just listen to it regardless. But. . .really listen. Not everyone makes wine in the safely golden hills of Napa. Some toil amidst the conflict.  And so we toil to bring you their stories. So pop your Merwah and let's get to the learning. HEEYAHHH!  

Syrians escape war to Lebanon, many to the capital of Beirut and even more now living in informal encampments in the Bekaa Valley in East Lebanon. Ali and Hiba discuss their work supporting Syrians escaping war to the Bekaa Valley, their living conditions and their growing insecurity.

Rancid fried onion, a great wall of iron, chips and mayonnaise with a healthy sprinkle of identity. Kate Adie introduces correspondents' stories: Lucy Ash is in northern France, in Denain, scene of Emile Zola's Germinal. The poverty may be less extreme today but it's part of the "forgotten France" being targetted by the Front National. Gabriel Gatehouse grew up in Amsterdam in a time when questioning immigration would label you a racist. That's all changed as, it seems. And if the famous Dutch tolerance has gone, what's left? The vast region of Xinjiang, in western China, is home to 10 million people from the Uigher minority. The government says it's also the front line in its war on terror. It's not a place which the authorities like journalists to visit. But Carrie Gracie did get there. Lebanon has a million and a half Syrian refugees - the most per capita of any nation. Martin Bell is in the Bekaa Valley, where the refugees have become a profitable source of cheap labour. Many would like to return home but their chances of doing so are slight. And Kevin Connolly's mother is proud of the name she chose for him. But he's not so sure anymore - especially when he heard about "The Curse of Kevin" in a French magazine.

Since war broke out in Syria over a million people have sought refuge in Lebanon - a small country of just over 4 million people. The reporter Lina Sinjab left her home in Damascus in 2013 to live in Beirut, and for her, as for so many Syrians, the poignant music of home has become a crucial source of comfort and resilience. As the war drags on, music and songs provide a strong link to the past and hope for the future.Lina joins refugee musicians across Lebanon and hears how their music is one of the few things they were able to bring with them. In the Bekaa Valley, close to the border with Syria, she meets an oud player, a percussionist and a piper who arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs and their precious instruments. And she visits a refugee youth choir who have found new joy and hope by singing with others who have been uprooted from their homes.In Beirut, the Oumi ensemble use music as a counter to religious extremism, taking their inspiration from the peace-loving Sufi poet Mansur Al-Hallaj. The arrival of Syrian musicians has also had a big impact on the cultural scene in Lebanon, and Lina discovers how this has inspired bands and artists in the capital.Image: Ahmad Turkmany who plays the Mizmar, Credit: Just Radio Ltd

Richard Stratton : Smuggler's Blues: A True Story of the Hippie MafiaGoodfellas meets Savages meets Catch Me If You Can in this true tale of high-stakes smuggling from pot's outlaw years.Richard Stratton was the unlikeliest of kingpins. A clean-cut Wellesley boy who entered outlaw culture on a trip to Mexico, he saw his search for a joint morph into a thrill-filled dope run smuggling two kilos across the border in his car door. He became a member of the Hippie Mafia, traveling the world to keep America high, living the underground life while embracing the hippie credo, rejecting hard drugs in favor of marijuana and hashish. With cameos by Whitey Bulger and Norman Mailer, Smuggler's Blues tells Stratton's adventure while centering on his last years as he travels from New York to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley to source and smuggle high-grade hash in the midst of civil war, from the Caribbean to the backwoods of Maine, and from the Chelsea Hotel to the Plaza as his fortunes rise and fall. All the while he is being pursued by his nemesis, a philosophical DEA agent who respects him for his good business practices.A true-crime story that reads like fiction, Smuggler's Blues is a psychedelic road trip through international drug smuggling, the hippie underground, and the war on weed. As Big Marijuana emerges, it brings to vivid life an important chapter in pot's cultural history.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/1198501/advertisement

5 live's Phil Mackie reports from Bekaa Valley in Lebanon, 12 miles from the Syrian border. In what's been described as the biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War half the Syrian population has been forced to flee their homes and 3.2 million are now registered as refugees outside the country.

Despatches from correspondents worldwide. In this edition: Mishal Husain's in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley talking to refugees from the war in Syria and learning how a generation of Syrian children is no longer able to go to school; the waters off Somalia aren't the world's piracy hotspot any more - Mary Harper's been finding out how Nigeria's trying to counter an upsurge in maritime crime off the west African coast; with towns and cities expanding across India, Anu Anand has been seeing how animal habitats are being gobbled up, and it's the animals who're suffering; Victoria Gill is in Malawi where powerful motorbikes are now helping out in the country's battle against HIV/AIDS and ... empty that hot tub, do NOT fill the jacuzzi: David Willis says desperate times call for desperate measures in California, now in its third year of drought.