Historical and gastronomic, set up between Sicily and the North of Tunisia, the Magon Project promotes the Mediterranean heritage. It is cofinanced by the EU. This project finds its name in Mago, a  700 BC prominent Carthaginian agricultural author. His surviving text deals with the culture of wine in current Tunisia. Nowadays, the then wine-related practices are still used. This project highlights the importance of wine in what used to be the Carthaginian empire.

Let’s discover the wine route.

Three women are conducting the project.

Firstly, Ms. Amel Boukhrisqui introduced us to the crown jewels of the Museum of Nabeul. The Museum offered the treasures of Tunisia : mosaics, items, and statues, which most recent artifact dates back to the 3rd century AD. The cuisine was  jaw-dropping : dried fish with garoum sauce, made in a traditional style and resembling the Vietnamese Nuoc Mam! We should dig more and discover the fascinating link between both of these countries.

Then, Néféris Castle Mistress of Ceremony Mila Lauretta made us discover the local products and artists. Neferis is the Punic name of the agricultural region of Grombalia. Its 450 hectares  gather vineyards and olive trees, and a 19th century granary and a modern laboratory. The techniques that are used here are a mix of ancestral secrets, contemporary techniques, and an everlasting willingness to finding the best wine. Each ingredient is selected following its quality and authenticity. When we thought we had tasted everything the area had to offer, we got offered a couscous cooked in the Kef region style. The tasting also included Mahdia’s kefta, Haouarya’s sorghum Maqroudh, Nefta’s date honey, Beja’s and Sousse’s cheese, Nabeul’s ginger-scented harissa, Zaghouan’s sun-dried olives, homemade tabouna bread, Sicily’s anellini pasta, and the list goes on.

What a lovely Tunisian journey!

Young oenologist Feten Belhadj will make sure that each of your dishes is accompanied by a staple wine. Fizzy as wine, she led our beverage discovery.  Among those we tasted, our favourite wines were Diamant rosé, Magnifique blanc, and Vieux Magnifique. You will be surprised by their harmonious medley of tastes and flavours.

 

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