Posted at 20:08h in Featured, Wine industry by Avi 0 Comments
The Baroness Ariane de Rothschild visited Rishon Le Zion as guest of the Mayor, Dov Tzur. The visit marked 80 years since the death of Baron Edmond de Rothschild and 132 years since the founding of Rishon Le Zion. The Mayor presented her with Honorary Citizenship of Rishon Le Zion.
She also visited Carmel Winery’s Rishon Le Zion Cellars. She was hosted on a brief tour by Adam Montefiore, who presented her with a bottle of Carmel’s prestige wine, Carmel Limited Edition 2008.
Montefiore told the story of how Baron Edmond de Rothschild insisted on bringing the Bordeaux varieties to Israel back in the late 1880’s. He wanted to make an Israeli Grand Vin. All his agronomists and viticulturists were against it, but he insisted. He sent cuttings from Chateau Lafite and the varieties were duly planted. Unfortunately the initiative failed for a number of reasons.
However when the Carmel Limited Edition was launched, it was based on the five Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. So in the end, the Baron’s dream came true but it took over one hundred years!
The Carmel Limited Edition is one of Israel’s finest Bordeaux style blends. The 2008 scored 91 points in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, and the wine has scored 90 points or more in five years out of a possible six.
The Baroness is very wine knowledgeable and asked many questions. She is the wife of Benjamin de Rothschild, who is the great grandson of the original Baron Edmond de Rothschild.
The Rothschild’s are the world’s number one wine family, and like the Lafite & Mouton Rothschilds, Benjamin and Ariane de Rothschild have their own wine interests. They own the ‘Companie Vinicole Baron Edmond de Rothschild’ that makes wine in Bordeaux (Chateau Clarke, Chateau des Laurets), Argentina (Flechas de Los Andes), New Zealand (Rimapere) and South Africa (Rupert & Rothschild). They are now also making wine in Spain.
The meeting between Rothschild and Montefiore was also the meeting of two families. Baron Edmond de Rothschild and Sir Moses Montefiore were major historical figures in the development of Israel in the 19th century.
