ISRAEL21c has finally covered the Parker story, although I wish it was a bit more detailed (they could have asked me – but OK, to be fair, I didn’t propose it. Among many others, I’m sure, I brought this story to their attention a few weeks ago at dinner, the day after the results came in, over some Galil Mountain wine). While most of it isn’t news anymore to readers of this blog, there are some interesting quotes from Adam Montefiore, the dean of Israeli wine marketing (and, of course, a link to my article about Castel from last year).
By Nicky Blackburn
January 03, 2008Everyone in Israel already knows the country has some excellent wines, but now the secret is out after leading US wine critic, Robert Parker, reviewed wines from 40 Israeli wineries, and awarded 14 wines top scores of over 90 points.
In the review, Parker – widely considered the foremost authority on wines worldwide – gave top marks of 93 points to two Israeli wines the red 2003 Yatir Forest from the Yatir Winery and the 2005 Gewurztraminer Heights Wine Yarden, a dessert wine from the Golan Heights Winery.
Other wines that tipped the 90 points scale included wines from Domaine du Castel, Pelter, Tulip, Tzora Vineyards, and Clos de Gat.
“This is a very exciting development for the Israeli wine industry,” said Adam Montefiore, from Carmel Winery. “This is the highest possible third party recognition. When someone like Parker tastes Israeli wines and says they are good, then it’s official.”
(Read the rest at ISRAEL21c and their brand new site)
