Our next organized tasting was at IDS, which really needs no introduction from me. They are responsible for some of the very best kosher wines ever produced. They are a permanent stop whenever I am in France. Unfortunately, the problem is that David (of the Kosher Wine Musings blog) tastes in France at least twice … Continue reading France – November 2023 – Part 2 – IDS
Blanc
France – November 2023 – Part 1 – Royal
The next four posts will deal with my yearly trip to France with my friend David Raccah of the Kosher Wine Musings blog. I have to say – this was a VERY hard trip to make. Until the day before I left, I was considering canceling due to the situation in Israel and feeling that … Continue reading France – November 2023 – Part 1 – Royal
Yavine Wines from the Loire and Languedoc Regions
I’m continuing to catch up on posts, and while I'm cleaning up tasting notes, let me mention that in June I was able to taste through my friend Nathan Grandjean's new releases from the Loire and Languedoc regions of France. Nathan is the well know proprietor of Yavine wines and is also responsible for bringing … Continue reading Yavine Wines from the Loire and Languedoc Regions
France Trip 2022 – Part 5 – The Blind Tastings
This will be my final post about my most recent trip to France – but buckle up – it’s going to cover over 60 wines! Before I even get started, I have to thank my partner in crime, David Raccah of the Kosher Wine Musings blog. He does all of the logistics work for these … Continue reading France Trip 2022 – Part 5 – The Blind Tastings
France Trip 2022 – Part 2 – Royal
Really, the high point of my visit to France each year, besides hanging out with my friend David Raccah for a week tasting wine and eating good food, is getting to spend quality time with Menachem Israelievitch, head winemaker for Royal Europe. It’s not just that he’s a consummate professional, managing dozens of productions at … Continue reading France Trip 2022 – Part 2 – Royal
Paris – November 2021 – Part 3 – Royal’s Truly Royal 2019 Vintage with Menachem Israelievitch
Finally, we are on to the main event. Honestly, the real reason I try to fly to France - besides hanging out with David - is to hang out for a day with Menachem Israelievitch and taste through Royal’s current French portfolio. It is truly the highlight of my trip each time. It’s not just … Continue reading Paris – November 2021 – Part 3 – Royal’s Truly Royal 2019 Vintage with Menachem Israelievitch
KFWE 2020 – Tel Aviv (Zur)
This year, life does not permit me to go on a full KFWE tour. Besides KFWE London conflicting with day one of Sommelier here in Israel, and KFWE Paris (Bokobsa really) conflicting with the second day of Sommelier, I need to be in NY the week after KFWE, which effectively rules out the rest of … Continue reading KFWE 2020 – Tel Aviv (Zur)
France Trip 2019 – Part 3 – Strasbourg & Lyon
After Koenig, we headed back to Strasbourg for a quick dinner and then to Nathan Grandjeans’s house for what was to be a mega-tasting of about 30 wines. David had pre-picked about 25 of them for Nathan to arrange, and as I mentioned – just for fun we had stopped at a local kosher grocery … Continue reading France Trip 2019 – Part 3 – Strasbourg & Lyon
Flam Visit – Mini Blanc Vertical, Syrah Vertical + Noble ’14
Once in a while I attend a gathering of an Israeli wine group called Toameha (טועמיה) run by my friend Yitzchak Nimni. Many of the members including Yitzchak are regular attendees of RCC Israel, so it is a nice way to catch up with people in a non-RCC setting. This past Wednesday night a group … Continue reading Flam Visit – Mini Blanc Vertical, Syrah Vertical + Noble ’14
2014 Flam Noble Launch Event – 2018 Flam Releases
This past Friday I attended the 2014 Flam Noble launch event at the winery. Sometimes they do this with a full dinner - other times it's wines and cheese to start with the current Blanc and Rose and then a tasting of selected library wines with the pre-release Noble. This year was the latter - which … Continue reading 2014 Flam Noble Launch Event – 2018 Flam Releases