Israeli Winemakers Raise Profile as Kosher Shakes Syrupy Image By Tal Barak and Gwen Ackerman July 22 (Bloomberg) — Kosher wines from Israel have long had a reputation for being coarse and syrupy sacramental offerings. Now they have improved so much that they can exploit their kosher label and win a wider global market, according to Ariel Ben-Zaken, whose family owns the Domaine du Castel winemaker. Wine exports grew 42 percent in 2007 to $21 million, said Israel’s Export Institute. […]

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The dates have just been released for the annual Jerusalem Wine Festival, held at the Israel Museum. I’ve previously written about the festival and it is always a joy to attend. This year, the festival is August 4-August 6 (Tuesday to Thursday) at the Israel Museum.

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Gamliel Kronemer, the New York Jewish Week’s wine writer, has just released his Top 10 kosher wines for 2007. While missing out on many of the great non-certified Israeli wines (Flam, Margalit, Pelter, Clos de Gat, Odem Mountain [going certified starting with the 2007 vintages] and many more), about half the list is Israeli wines. Also, with rare exception, most of those wines are available in the US so he leaves out (intentionally) some of the excellent wines not imported […]

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The following article is from wines-israel.com Recanati Winery have launched a new Carignan from the 2009 vintage. It is made from Carignan grapes from bush vines, grown in the Judean Hills. The wine is deep colored with extraordinary depth of flavor, aromas of blackberry & black current and a powerful concentrated & complex taste. It has obvious aging potential and is one of the best Carignans released to date. The bottle has a very attractive label featuring a drawing of a […]

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Two interesting Israeli wine events in North America this week – including one in Canada (any Canadian readers?): Canada – The Vancouver Israeli Wine Festival runs May 4 (tomorrow – Sunday!), 5-9 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel with wines from nine wineries around that country, whose history of viticulture dates back 2,500 years. Many of these wines are well worth tasting, including Galil Mountain barrel-aged 2006 Chardonnay (BCLS $17.83), Dalton, Yarden, and Parker rated Yatir. Tickets, $35 from VTC […]

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Daniel Rogov, Israel’s premier wine critic, has reviewed several great Israeli wines in recent editions of Ha’aretz. Chateau Golan, Royal Reserve, Rose, 2008: Made entirely from Cabernet Franc grapes, developed partly in stainless steel and briefly in used barriques. Medium-bodied, with appealing red and black berries, strawberries and red currants on a spicy background. Plenty of good acidity here. A more than usually complex rose. Drink now. Score 89. Tabor, Adama, Rose, Charsit, 2008: Ruby to cherry red, medium-bodied, a […]

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If you use Facebook and love Israeli wine, then check out the new “Israeli wine” page on Facebook and become a fan. Help spread the word about this blog and about wine from the emerging eastern Mediterranean country of Israeli via viral Web 2.0 methods! Check it out!

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I just found this video on ISRAEL21c‘s beta site. ISRAEL21c is a great place that tells the story of Israel – it’s technology, arts, humanitarian efforts, and culture … including winemaking. Among other stories, I wrote an article on Domaine du Castel for them. Did you know that Sea Horse Winery’s owner/winemaker was in film? I didn’t!

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Although many wineries benefit from having their own vineyards, it can be restrictive if there’s a particularly challenging year. Ultimately you need to use what grapes you got, sell them or take a loss. Many winemakers shop year to year for their grapes on the open market or depend on contracts with growers. That can present its own challenges but also its own rewards if the winemaker is discriminating enough and gets involved in the vineyards early enough to help […]

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The small Israeli wine world is in shock at the premature, untimely death of Tsina Avidan, the owner and winemaker of Avidan Winery, one of the country’s most up and coming, fastest improving boutique wineries. A boutique winery should almost by definition be characterful and highly individual. Avidan Winery certainly fits the bill. The wines are bold, the blends sometimes unconventional, the labels and brand names idiosyncratic. They were made in the image of Tsina who came from the Provence […]

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