Author: Dirk Chan
The Domaine des Ouled Thaleb is situated 50km NE of Casablanca (the economic hub), in the region of Benslimane, AOG Zenata in northern Africa.
Winemaking in this North African nation dates way back as there is evidence to suggest the Phoenician settlers, from the area of modern-day Lebanon, first introduced vines to the region we now know as Morocco and the tradition continued through to the Roman era. The art of enology was lost here in the 7th century due to Islamic bans on alcohol, but French colonization in the 19th and early 20th centuries led to the return of both winemaking and social drinking.
Today, the country produces about 40 million bottles of wine annually, but only about 5 percent is exported and we are thrilled to introduced these wines to you. Established in 1923 and as the oldest winery in the country, the Ouled Thaleb wines are elegantly styled wines with structure and great freshness.
Although much of Morocco’s wine expertise has its origins in France, unsurprisingly, the grape varieties which thrive in North Africa are red (75%) and are those which also do well across the Mediterranean in the Iberian Peninsula, including Carignan, Cinsaut, Alicante, and Grenache. More recently, popular varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah have been cultivated in Morocco and makeup around 15% of the market.
Try these wines, they are a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered…try with grilled red meats…
Pictured left to right:
2018 Domaine des Ouled Thaleb Imperiale Red (Morocco) – $17.99
2018 Domaine des Ouled Thaleb CB Signature (Morocco) – $25.99
2017 Domaine des Ouled Thaleb S de Siroua Syrah (Morocco) – $20.99