Posted at 10:08h in Wine industry by David Rhodes 0 Comments Previously, I had tasted Tabor wines on several occasions at festivals and a few times at the winery and each time I was politely presented their wines by an assistant winemaker or someone from their marketing department yet on my latest opportunity I finally got to sit a bit with the senior winemaker, which to me speaks to the DNA of a wine, knowing the winemakers intentions when I’m […]

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Posted at 14:17h in Events by Avi 1 Comment So, I don’t normally get personal on this Israeli wine site, but Saturday is my birthday and I need some wine for it. Since it’s hot here in Israel (and around the world), I’m looking for a good, refreshing white wine that is available near Tel Aviv. What are your suggestions for my 29th birthday? (Boy, I’m getting old!)

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Posted at 16:40h in Events, Wine 101, Wine industry by 0 Comments I promise, promise, promise that this my last post for 2007 on the Beaujolais Nouveau. However, I just saw an interesting article in Ha’aretz about the Israeli wine culture. While winetastingguy noted that wine consumption in America is on the rise, he pointed out that he wasn’t sure what the numbers were in Israel. Well, according to the article, Israeli wine consumption jumped 20% in 2006. That’s a […]

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Posted at 19:30h in Wine industry by Avi 0 Comments Al-Manar has a translation of an article written by journalist Meni Peer in Ma’ariv. Read the full article Wine is not just another bottled beverage — [the vineyard of origin is an important factor for differentiation] and when it comes to the wines made in Israel, their marketing meets with difficulties when the question of the vineyard location is raised. Nevertheless, the Golan Heights Winery is to be crowned “New World Winery […]

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A wine dinner in Ra’anana, Israel pairing 6 dishes prepared by Chef Yosef Kirschenbaum & wine guy David Rhodes If you are in Israel and want a wine dinner in your house contact David Rhodes 052-702-WINE (9463) and tell Dave Avi sent you…

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Posted at 09:37h in Wine industry by 1 Comment I have just been informed by Richard of Israeli Wine Direct that limited quantities of Clos de Gat is being made available. Clos de Gat is also available in the US via some New York-based distributors, but besides IWD’s purchase, had to find outside of New York. Clos de Gat is an excellent boutique Israeli wine – in fact, the wine importer that I was with a few weeks ago picked […]

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Posted at 16:33h in Wine industry by David Rhodes 0 Comments Often we might talk about Israel being a “New World” region in the “Ancient World” of wine. One of the advantages of not being an “Old World” European region is Israel doesn’t limit its winemakers to what grapes to grow in specific appellations. Israeli winemakers are free to grow whatever varietals wherever they choose and more often than not Israel’s best winemakers and viticulturalists are making great choices as […]

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The 3rd Annual Ra’anana Wine Festival is this week, Wednesday & Thursday at the scenic Park Ra’anana adjacent to the tranquil pond on the western end of the park.The Festivino group is hosting this year. Last year, the event attracted about 1,500 guests over two… 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 […]

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Posted at 19:54h in Events, Wine industry by 0 Comments Check out this clip about Israeli wine on CNN International (sorry I can’t embed it, and don’t let the initial talk of the falcons in the UAE confuse you, it just takes about a minute and a half for them to get to Israel). My only reaction: I want to be the Grape Man! UPDATE: It’s also on YouTube

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Posted at 15:12h in Wine industry, Wineries by 1 Comment Bazelet HaGolan is a winery that I recently “discovered” on my trip up north. Bazelet means “basalt,” and refers to the volcanic terroir of the Golan Heights. The winery was founded in 1998 and released only Cabernet Sauvignon until 2005, and is releasing its first Merlot from the 2006 vintage.  The wines are kosher as of the 2004 vintage, which shows that there is no difference in quality between kosher […]

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