Egypt: Modern wine production

Brewers Heineken own the leading and thoroughly modern Egyptian wine producer Gianaclis, about 75 km/47 miles from Alexandria, and in 2014 there were two others. sultana and a wide range of international varieties are grown, on trellises, mainly in the north of the country, although vine age is low and the growing season is too short for Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and members of the Pinot family. Satellite technology is harnessed to apply drip irrigation with precision. Grapes are picked between late June and early August and are generally chilled before transport to sophisticated modern wineries equipped with stainless steel. French oak barriques are used for some top wines but most are drunk young.