I often get asked how I choose the wineries that I write about. The answer since COVID at least has been the same - I write about those that invite me to taste. It’s really that simple - I’m easy like that. And so a few weeks ago, I got a text from Eli Shiran … Continue reading Shiran Winery 2021 Visit
Tasting Notes
M & M Importers Current Lineup is Exceptional
Well, I saved the best for last. If you’ve been following my last couple of posts, after over a year I was finally able to take a trip in to the US to see family. David Raccah of Kosherwinemusings.com arranged his schedule to overlap with mine so we could do a couple of tastings together. … Continue reading M & M Importers Current Lineup is Exceptional
Some of Royal’s 2018 Reds and 2020 Whites and Rosés
Due to the crazy circumstances this year, all trips were cancelled and therefore it was impossible to taste what was not local. While Royal made an effort to reach out to consumers with a Virtual KFWE, those of us in Israel were out of luck. Some of my colleagues have received samples from Royal – … Continue reading Some of Royal’s 2018 Reds and 2020 Whites and Rosés
A Return to Normalcy… I Hope
Finally, things are returning to some semblance of normalcy, and I was able to fly to the US. Primarily this was to visit my parents and my siblings, nieces and nephews, whom I had not seen in over a year. As we say on Pesach – if that is all I had gotten to do, … Continue reading A Return to Normalcy… I Hope
Zur Fully Joins the Supermarket Fray with 3 Excellent Entries
Maybe, just maybe, someone in the Israeli wine industry has started reading this blog. I have been writing about the availability of good everyday wines in Israeli supermarkets for over a year. In my opinion, the key to making Israel a normal wine producing and consuming country is via the supermarket distribution channel. In virtually … Continue reading Zur Fully Joins the Supermarket Fray with 3 Excellent Entries
New Wines “by Teperberg Winery”
Teperberg has been on a journey of sorts over the last 15 years or so. Since Shiki Rauchberger took over in 2002, the winery has been transformed from a medium sized winery producing mediocre wines to one of Israel’s largest – producing professionally made wines through and through. In 2006 Olivier Fratty joined the team … Continue reading New Wines “by Teperberg Winery”
Around the World in Your Supermarket for 50 Shekels
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
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