The French make Malbec as a blending agent, but it’s far better known as a distinctive Argentinian wine. But now, Israel’s first varietal Malbec has arrived in Israel. The ever improving Teperberg 1870 has just released a Malbec in the Terra series (Terra 2007 Malbec). It should hit Israel’s wine stores this week, and will most likely be exported within a few months. While used as a blending agent in France, like with Argentinian wine, this first Israeli varietal contains […]

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Posted at 21:33h in Events by Avi 0 Comments If you happen to be near Jerusalem, this is an opportunity to taste a boutique winery near Jerusalem: For those of you who were not able to attend the Harvest Celebration at the Katamon winery, you’ll have another chance as Avital has agreed to bring his wines to us for next Friday’s tasting. Katamon Winery Just in time for the holidays Avital Goldner will be bringing his superb wines for our […]

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Posted at 21:31h in Wine industry by Avi 0 Comments In Daniel Rogov’s weekly column in Ha’aretz he reviews some of the best wines of 2009. Chateau Golan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Royal Reserve 2005: Almost impenetrably dark garnet in color, this wine is both concentrated and elegant. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc, opening with spicy, mocha-tinged blackcurrants, those yielding to blackberries, herbs and light oak. Hints of light sea salt and leather on the super-long finish […]

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Posted at 10:53h in Wine industry by Avi 1 Comment I just discovered 1337wine via Twitter and it appears that he just discovered Israeli wine. In his video wine show (episode 101 and counting), Mark Fusco is introduced to Israeli wines with tastings of the: Barkan Chardonnay Galil Mountain Yiron Ella Valley Syrah As someone very knowledgeable about Israeli wine (and Israel, in general, having lived here for over 6 years), it’s very interesting to watch people who are not […]

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Posted at 14:38h in Wine industry by 1 Comment French food and Israeli wine are not a common combination. After all, when people think Israeli wine they often (wrongly) associate it only with kosher food – thus barring wine and food combinations like mahi in a shrimp sauce with Barkan’s chardonnay. Yet, one French restaurant — TriBeCa’s Capsouto Frères is making just such a pair. “Very few restaurants pair French foods with Israeli wines. That’s what’s so special, it’s a […]

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Posted at 20:49h in Events, Wineries, Wines by Avi 0 Comments I’ve previously blogged about the Jerusalem Wine Festival but I haven’t yet had a chance to attend the Tel Aviv Wine Festival which is held at the Tel Aviv Eretz Yisrael Museum, near Tel Aviv University. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my camera and my cell phone had one indicator left, so I didn’t want to waste the battery by taking pics. Tel Aviv’s wine festival differs in two main […]

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Posted at 11:20h in Events, Wines by Avi 1 Comment My favorite Jerusalem wine event is here! Jerusalem Wine Festival. At the just reopened Israel Museum, this year’s Jerusalem Wine Festival is bound to be a success. Here are the details: Tuesday through Thursday, 3-5 August at the Israel Museum Admission is 60NIS and includes a free tasting glass and unlimited tastings. Check out my previous reports of this Israeli wine tasting festival here. Please send us your pictures as […]

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Daniel Rogov has a positive review of the Benyamina Winery in last week’s Ha’aretz. Benyamina is a large winery, often overlooked. It’s great to see that this Israeli winery is constantly improving. Wine and Spirits / Sophisticated Binyamina By Daniel Rogov That Binyamina winery is on the way up is beyond question. With far better control over its vineyards than in the past, increasingly modern equipment, and Sasson Ben-Aharon and Assaf Paz aboard as winemakers, it is clear that the […]

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Posted at 18:45h in Kosher by 0 Comments So Hanukkah started tonight in Israel and the rest of the world. What  That means it’s time for Sufganiyot (jelly donuts) which have been appearing in Israel since after Sukkot (is that like seeing Christmas decorations as soon as Halloween is over in America?). I’m excited. In the Jewish European Diaspora, people will also be eating latkes (fried potato pancakes). My wife promised to make some. I can feel my arteries clogging […]

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Posted at 12:21h in Events, Wine industry by 0 Comments Sorry for the slow pace of this blog, which will continue over the next two weeks, as I have guests from the wine trade (but lacking exposure in Israeli wine) in over the next two weeks. Hopefully, over the next month, I will have some interesting posts of a few northern wineries. However, yesterday, today, and tomorrow are the ISRAWINEXPO 2008, a government sponsored trade show for those interested in […]

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