While I am always on the lookout for reasonably priced wines to enjoy with dinner and sometimes lunch (now that I often work from home), it is even more important now with the pandemic, where people like to make less trips out and budgets are likely more stressed. I decided to see what’s currently available … Continue reading Around the World in Your Supermarket for 50 Shekels
Tasting Notes
Ya’acov Oryah 2020 Portfolio Tasting
This is the last post that I “owe” from tastings that happened a couple of months ago. As we say in Hebrew – Achron Achron Chaviv – which can be roughly translated as last but certainly not least – Ya’acov Oryah. As always, let me start by saying Ya’acov is a friend, and while I … Continue reading Ya’acov Oryah 2020 Portfolio Tasting
2 Sister Wines with the Same Bottom Line
For Shavuot I decided to splurge and try inaugural releases of two top tier rosés from sister wineries Golan Heights Winery and Galil Mountain Winery (GHW owns about 2/3 of GMW). Both of these rosés retail for about NIS 99 ($28 or so) and as such are among the most expensive Israeli rosés produced. Neither … Continue reading 2 Sister Wines with the Same Bottom Line
2019 Faustino VI Rioja – and example of what is right… and wrong with Egoz-Muscat
Readers of this blog know I am a huge fan of the Tempranillo grape. I can appreciate it in almost any style from every-day drinking Elvi semi-crianza Herenza Rioja to the upscale Herenza Reserva, from the big bold Israeli 2016 Netofa Dor to the beautifully refined Yaacov Oryah 2011 Iberian Dream series. I have liked … Continue reading 2019 Faustino VI Rioja – and example of what is right… and wrong with Egoz-Muscat
An Evening with M & M Importers
Over the past year or so, I have been trying to sit down and write a full article on M&M Importers in the US. Besides being the US importer for IDS wines, they also have imported a number of French kosher productions on their own. Even more impressive, they have begun contracting their own kosher … Continue reading An Evening with M & M Importers
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)
Taieb Wines in Israel
During my trip to Taieb last year, the topic of wines making their way to Israel came up. Only three of the wines that I tasted on that trip – the Joseph Mellot Sancere, the Chateau Castelbruck, and Chateau La Naud. Of those, the Mellot and Castelbruck are still on back (and inferior) vintages here, … Continue reading Taieb Wines in Israel
2017 Razi’el
Sooner or later, everything old is new again.Stephen King In 2015 after 23 years operating in their original location in Ramat Raziel, Castel opened its new larger facility in Yad HaShmona. Besides providing greater capacity, the new winery provided state of the art technology to aid in creating some truly excellent wines. It also created … Continue reading 2017 Razi’el
Israel’s Supermarket Revolution? Notes on 3 wines from Egoz-Muscat
Over the last few months, a number of friends have been talking to me about something that they describe as hopefully the beginning of a revolution here in Israel. Quality wine available at the supermarket – much like it is in every country in the world. The two wines that have been causing this commotion … Continue reading Israel’s Supermarket Revolution? Notes on 3 wines from Egoz-Muscat
Blind Tasting in August with a Focus on Beit El Winery
Just because I haven't been writing, it certainly doesn't mean I haven't been tasting. One of the more prolific episodes occurred near the end of August. A friend who is in the business asked if I would like to come by and blind taste a couple of wines that he was considering bringing into the … Continue reading Blind Tasting in August with a Focus on Beit El Winery