As Israel faces world condemnation for its indiscriminate bombings claiming the lives of children in Beirut, Decanter.com reports that an Israeli wine merchant is holding hugely popular 'Tastings for Peace' - with both Lebanese and Israeli wines on the table. The tastings, held every Thursday, attract wine lovers from all over Israel, Andre Suidan of the Special Reserve Wine Shop in Haifa said.

Lebanese aficionados cannot come for obvious reasons, but Michael Karam, Lebanon's most senior wine authority, has written up the tastings in his newspaper column.

The situation is not uncontroversial. For a start, it is illegal to sell Lebanese products in Israel - it is considered commerce with an enemy state - on pain of a fine or a possible prison sentence. The wines for the tastings therefore come from Suidan's private cellar. Wines tasted include all the great Lebanese producers, including Chateau Musar and Kefraya, and Israeli wines including Tzora and Bustan.

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