Posted at 21:24h in Wines by Avi 0 Comments
The following is from wines-israel and reprinted with permission
Colombard is little known, but it is the most planted white wine variety in Israel. It first came to Israel in the 1970’s, but since then has been mainly used in white wine blends. It was the most planted variety in California until the 1990’s when it was overtaken by Chardonnay.
Both in Israel and California, it is more often known by the name ‘French Colombard’. It is grown in South West France and the Vins de Pays Côtes de Gascogne is where it reaches its best individual expression.
It is a variety most famous for being distilled to make both Cognac and Armagnac. It is also used to make the base wine for Israel’s most famous brandies, Carmel 100 Brandy & Jonathan Tishbi Brandy. Apart from brandy, it is also prominent in certain sparkling wines. Private Collection Brut, Tishbi Brut, and Selected Sparkling are all made with a fair portion of Colombard. It grows well in Israel, has a flowery aroma and very good acidity. However despite this, it does not have a very good image for producing quality wines.
Tishbi have used it to good effect in a blend with Emerald Riesling which they called French Riesling. However there has not been a varietal Colombard since the 1990’s until now. However Mony Winery have launched their 2010 Sunny Hills Colombard. It is a dry white wine made by 100% from the French Colombard grape. The wine is fragrant, fruity and fresh with very good, clean acidity. It is aromatic with good balance.
Mony Winery is owned by an Israeli Arab family. It is situated at a Monastery, where a Canadian winemaker makes kosher wines! The winemaker Sam Soroka is a very well respected with winemaking experience in Australia, California, France and Canada. He also worked at Carmel Winery in Israel for six years. This is the second year Soroka has made a varietal Colombard, which may be the only one in Israel. it is a variety he believes in and the wine represents great value at NIS 39 a bottle.
