When Daniel Rogov passed away there was a real void left in the Israeli wine world. Rogov’s Guide to Israeli Wine was one of the most important books in the Israeli wine world, providing a comprehensive guide to hundreds of Israeli wines, including tasting notes and scores – notably in English (Rogov was raised in New York).
Several writers tried to take Rogov’s place and taste and score wine but none have succeeded.
A new contender, however, is trying to take a place. Yair Gath, a wine writer for the Yisrael HaYom daily newspaper, and Gal Zohar, a sommelier and IWC judge, are currently working on both an English and Hebrew version of the New Israel Wine Guide.
The New Israel Wine Guide features some of Israel’s top wines but, unlike most writing on Israeli wine, is intended for a global audience. Unlike Rogov, there is a specific focus on kosher wines and wines available outside of Israel. As the description notes:
We decided to focus on the best wineries, predominantly on the kosher wines that are also available outside Israel, without neglecting some of our favourite ones which we thought couldn’t be left out. All tastings were strictly blind, so what you get is our unbiased, independent recommendations. Clear and simple.
While not all wines are kosher, kosher wines are much more clearly identified than in other Guides to Israeli Wine. However, the best wines are included regardless of whether they are certified kosher or not. So, for example, in the list of top wines not only are the wines from Yatir, Carmel, Yarden, and Castel listed but also wineries such as Lewinsohn, Clos de Gat, Pelter, and others that have recent non-kosher vintages.
This focus on kosher wine is certainly one major difference from Rogov.
The wine guide is very comprehensive, listing the grapes that are included (if a blend), the region in Israel in which the winery is based, if it is unoaked or oaked, and how long it was oak-aged, whether kosher wine or non-kosher wine, as well as its alcohol content. In addition Gath and Zohar provide a tasting note, with a quirky summary (“Southern exposure,” “Classicism,” “Young and exciting” are just a few) as well as a tasting note and score (on a 100 point scale).
The preview edition is also well typeset with attractive imagery.
If you’re interested in the New Israel Wine Guide you can also find out about it on Facebook.
Since Rogov’s death such a guide has been missing. It remains to be seen whether this will fill the void but I, for one, really look forward to seeing the rest of the guide.
