Egypt wineries struggle to revive industry

Abou al-Matamir, Egypt: Men and women harvest Merlot grapes under the scorching sun in one of Egypt's up-and-coming vineyards, as the Muslim-majority desert country strives to win over international wine connoisseurs.

"It's a great story, what we've done with Egyptian wine," said a proud Labib Kallas, as he inspected vines planted in reclaimed desert land north of Cairo on a hot day in July.

For decades a single Egyptian company produced wine that was derided by locals and expatriates alike, but today aficionados say the North African country offers a variety of good white wines.

The vineyard that Kallas is visiting -- which spans around 170 hectares (420 acres) some 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of the capital -- is just one of several providing grapes to two companies now making wine in Egypt.

Since the early 2000s, Kouroum of the Nile -- where Kallas heads production -- and Domaine de Gianaclis have launched an ambitious quest: to revive the country's wine production by importing grape varieties from France, Italy and also Spain -- Merlot, Syrah, Viognier and Vermentino.