IT is perhaps due to the fact that I like my couscous extra spicy, that the wine I normally choose to go alongside is the Chateau Musar from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon.
This is now a cult wine for those in the know and has often been compared to top-notch Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone depending on the characteristics of the specific vintage. It's probably more true to say that the wine is actually unique, and that it should really be sought out, tasted and enjoyed.
Serge Gaston Hochar, who had been at the helm of the business since 1959, died earlier this year aged 75. His legacy lives on with interesting, diverse and excellent wines, which should be squirrelled away in the cellar for decades before being opened, carefully decanted and shared with friends over a large bowl of couscous.
The general rule of thumb is that you shouldn't consider opening a bottle until at least 10 years after the vintage. Waitrose currently list the 2008 at £21.99 and their description of the bottle includes the statement: "The palate is intense and indulgent with a display of youthfulness." I would encourage you to head on down to Waitrose and grab a bottle or two to put away, as your cellar will benefit from the addition of such a fine wine. If your resolve breaks, and you open the bottles before 2018, just make sure you decant well in advance.
Most good merchants will list Musar, and you may get lucky and find an older vintage on a dusty shelf somewhere. Otherwise, plan for the future and reap the rewards of playing the long game in the years to come.
Berry Bros & Rudd currently have the super-ripe 2003 vintage at £25 per bottle.
Inverarity One to One are on the 2000 vintage at £20.99.
Majestic list the 2007 (which is a classic year) at £22.
Pete Stewart is Glasgow director of Inverarity One to One, 185a Bath Street, Glasgow www.inverarity121.com
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