The name derives from the Spanish "levantar" and refers to the rising of the sun in the east. It means "morning land" (Latin levare = to lift up, to rise). It is a historical geographical designation for the countries on the eastern Mediterranean east of Italy. In a broader sense, it refers to the Greek peninsula and the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, the coastal areas of Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Palestine, historical Syria and Egypt. In a narrower sense, this is limited to the east coast of the Mediterranean and its hinterland, i.e. the present-day states of Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, as well as the Palestinian autonomous territories and the Turkish province of Hatay. To the east of València lie the Balearic Islands with Mallorca. The port of València was already an important transhipment point for wine in ancient times.
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The Wine lexicon helps me to stay up to date and refresh my knowledge. Thank you for this Lexicon that will never end in terms of topicality! That's what makes it so exciting to visit more often.
Thorsten Rahn
Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden