Inaugural U.S. Grand Tasting to Feature 20 Premier Israeli Wineries
NEW YORK, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Wines of Israel will be hosting the first ever extensive tasting of Israeli wines in New York City for members of the wine trade and media on Tuesday, February 3, 2009. The Grand Tasting, which will take place at the Prince George Ballroom from 11 AM – 4 PM, will feature more than 100 premium Israeli wines from 20 of Israel’s most celebrated wineries. Mark Squires, Wine Critic for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, and Victor Schoenfeld, Chief Winemaker for Golan Heights Winery, will be hosting two seminars during the tasting entitled Israel 101 from 12 – 1 PM and 2 – 3 PM. The Grand Tasting will include wines from various regions throughout Israel including the Galilee, Golan Heights, Shomron, Samson, Judean Hills, and the Negev. The event is being organized by the Israel Economic Mission to North America and the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute.
“Today, Israel produces some of the most sophisticated wines in the world, bringing a cosmopolitan knowledge of modern methods and technology to a wine-growing tradition more than 3,000 years old,” said Yair Shiran, Israel’s Economic Minister to North America. “The marked rise in quality of Israel’s wines over the past decade has enabled the industry to satisfy the demands of the discerning world wine market.”
“Winemaking is a large part of Israel’s rich history that is widely unknown in the U.S.,” said Michal Neeman, Food & Beverages Executive with The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute. “This momentous tasting will help bring Israel’s winemaking legacy to life for key members of the American wine trade as well as showcase the current state of Israel’s thriving modern wine industry.”
Israeli wine has been growing exponentially in the U.S. market over the past two years. According to the Gomberg-Fredrikson Report, Israeli exports to the U.S. increased by 30% in volume and 43% in value by the end of 2007 and another 2% in volume and 11% in value towards the end of 2008.
Israeli wines have also received top ratings and critical acclaim from the wine industry’s most revered publications such as Wine Spectator, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, and Tom Stevenson’s Wine Report, among others. Many International wine competitions including the Citadelles du Vin International in Bordeaux, the International Wine Challenge in London, and the Vinalies Internationales competition in Paris have bestowed prestigious prizes and awards on Israel’s top bottlings.
The 20 wineries that will participate in the Grand Tasting include:
Barkan Wine Cellars Ltd.
Bazelet HaGolan
Binyamina Winery
Carmel Winery
Dalton Winery
Domaine Du Castel
Ella Valley Vineyards
Flam Winery
Galil Mountain Winery
Hevron Heights & Noah Winery
Margalit Winery
Pelter Winery
Recanati Winery
Tabor Winery
Teperberg 1870 Winery
Tishbi Estate Winery (Baron Wine Cellars, Ltd.)
Tulip Winery
Tzora Vineyards
Yarden Inc./Golan Heights Winery
Yatir Winery
About the Israel Economic Mission
The Israel Economic Mission is a direct link between Israel’s business sector and the North American business community. Our goal is to expand trade and investment between Israel and the U.S. and Canada, and to provide the timely information needed to conduct business with Israel. Headquartered in New York City, the Israel Economic Mission has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta and Toronto. We provide all the information executives need to successfully partner with Israeli firms or establish a business in Israel. From legal counsel and advice on taxation to help tapping into the many R&D grants, loans, and incentives that Israel offers, the Israel Economic Mission facilitates U.S.- Israel trade and investment. We also initiate and offer support for promotional campaigns, seminars and trade events designed to expand sales of Israeli products and services in North America.
About the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute
The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute, supported by more than 2,600 member firms, private-sector bodies, and the government of Israel, advances business relationships between Israeli exporters and overseas businesses and organizations. By providing a wide range of export-oriented services to Israeli companies and complementary services to the International business community, the Institute helps build successful joint ventures, strategic alliances, and trade partnerships. The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute is committed to bringing together food & beverage buyers with the products they seek and manufacturers that suit their needs, ensuring that consumers throughout the world benefit from the innovation, quality, and market adaptability of Israel’s food industry.
Media Contact: Etty Lewensztain RF Binder 212-994-7543 [email protected] Beth Belkin Israel Economic Mission 212-499-5628 [email protected]
