If you like white wines half as much as I do then you should stop by the last night of the 5th Annual White Festival at the Herzliya Marina. There is an amazing selection of Israeli and imported white wines, rosés and sparkling wines in one of the most scenic venues of any wine festival in Israel. While people all over the world like to vacation at Club Med, this is the “real Club Med” at a marina where you can watch the sun set over the Mediterranean and enjoy a wide array of wines and gourmet treats for a whole evening starting at NIS 65 (about $19) for all you can taste (and more than even a wine professional like me could taste in an evening and I did get within a few of tasting them all…what can I say I did socialize a little with some of my readers, other wine writers and winemakers).
If you want to try my top ten wines (which for some is a full evening but for me is just getting started then let’s take a stab at it). I hope my choices might convert you to white wines if you weren’t before or to believe that Israel (better known for its reds) has some amazing whites, rosés and sparkling wines as well.
The first wines I tasted were some of the best Israeli wines showcased. The Midbar Winery from Arad, is about 35 minutes from the better known Yatir Winery in Tel Arad in the northeastern Negev. Their whites could be an inspiration for more boutiques to try making white wines (while most stick to reds).
My Top Ten Israeli White, Rosé and Sparkling Wines from the 2013 White Festival
1) 2010 Midbar Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc (12.5 % alcohol NIS 100)
a classic Bordeaux style white blend uncommon in Israel but maybe well suited as this example (and another 2011 Tzuba blend have demonstrated)
2) 2010 Midbar White 44 (13% alcohol NIS 100)
a well crafted semi-dry blend of Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay and Semillon
The Tabor Winery has increased their production dramatically over the last few years and this Roussanne, Israel’s first single varietal example should encourage others to grow and produce wines from this seemingly well suited Rhone varietal. They have a wide selection of interesting whites and sparkling wines to taste.
3) 2012 Tabor Roussanne (14% NIS 69) previously scored 91 points
Green apples, grapefruit, wild flowers, green hay, fresh herbs and almonds makes this one of my favorite Israeli white wines.
Ella Valley is one of the most consistently good producers of both white and red wines in Israel. Their three wines at the White festival make their booth one of the busiest tasting spots.
4) 2012 Ella Valley Sauvignon Blanc (12.5 % Alcohol NIS 74)
classic Sauv Blanc notes more subtle than many other Israeli examples
5) 2011 Ella Valley Chardonnay (NIS 89 13% alcohol)
50% of the wine was oak aged for 13 months in oak barrels while the other 50% ages in stainless steel provides for a marriage of the stainless steel retained fruitiness and the oak enhnaced complexity and texture
6) 2011 Ella Valley EverRed Rosé (NIS 74 13% alcohol)
an interestingly unique and delightful blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Syrah
The 1848 Winery, one of the three Jerusalem Shor family wineries, is getting better each vintage and these two wines are a good example how religious winemakers can make
7) 2011 1848 “5th Generation” White (14 % alcohol NIS 79)
70% Chardonnay/ 24% Chenin Blanc/6% Semillon2011 1848 2nd Generation Rosé 70% Barbera & 30% Syrah 14% Alcohol NIS 59
8) 2011 1848 “2nd Generation” Rosé (14% alcohol NIS 59)
70% Barbera and 30% Syrah blend is a good example why the fruity and acidic Italian Barbera grape is becoming a key player in more and more Israeli rosés.
The Recanati Winery had some its wines hidden at the Derech Hayin (“Wine Route”) booth and since they weren’t serving their Reserve whites which are all stars their Rosé took center stage as its consistently considered one of Israel’s best rosés year in and year out.
9) 2012 Recanati Rosé (12.5% alcohol NIS 65)
This benchmark Israeli rosé is a blend of 85% Barbera and 15% Merlot and demonstrates how many of the best Israeli rosés are a blend of two or more grapes to add complexity and allow for the characteristics of each grape to complement each other and enhance the overall finished wine.
The Teperberg Winery had with Tabor one of the largest selections of wines to taste from and every wine is a good value for the price. One of
10) 2012 Teperberg Moscato – alcohol 10% NIS 40 or 3/100 on sale) included for its value.
A fun sweet frizzante (slightly sparkling) white with enough sweetness to be a dessert wine but effervescent enough to be paired with spicy Asian cuisine such as Thai or Szechuan dishes or to beat the heat of wasabi with sushi. Moscato can be like alcoholic soda pop. If you would have a soda you can grab a Moscato to match the same dishes and get a buzz along the way.
A Mention about Imported Wines The Hakerem and Derech Hayine/ Wine Route booths had a wide selection of benchmark imported wines to compare Israeli wines to but its important to note where almost all of the Israeli wines present were kosher almost all of the imported wines were not. That’s Ok that’s why many Jews moved here to have a wider selection of kosher culinary choices than are available in the diaspora and for those non-Jews or non-religious Jews the imported wines provide perspective on what the rest of the world is doing and how Israeli wines both differ and hold up. So French, Italian, Californian,Australian, South African and New Zealand wines for example provided wines that many Israeli wines emulate intentionally or incidentally by the choice of grape or blend of grapes
Two of my favorites were the 2011 Corvo Insolia from Sicily and only NIS 57. This was one of the first quality wines I could afford back when I first studied Geography of Wine at Worcester State College in 1985 so it’s a sentimental favorite and I’m excited its available in Israel as well as the 2010 Sancerre Les Jeunes Vignes Henri Bourgeois NIS 100, a classic Sauvignon Blanc dominated wine that is a poster child for anyone who likes the grassiness that Sauvingnon Blanc is known for.
There’s lots of local treats to try as well including Arak, Passionfruit liquor, gourmet Israeli cheeses, amazing home-crafted popsicles and creamsicles and dozens of restaurants and pubs nearby for a sit down meal.
Don’t miss the last night of this event if you want some ideas on stocking your fridge to beat the heat of a long Israeli summer or to pair with dishes over dairy-centric which starts next week.
