Another RCC has come to a close. This month our chefs Uri & Bracha papered us with an Asian inspired menu - and each dish really shined. I would point out the highlights, but really, they were all incredible, the Sashimi had incredible freshness and heat, the Pho had some incredible flavors layered in a … Continue reading RCC Israel # 23 – Elul 5778
2017 Psagot Cabernet Franc
As I've written before, when wineries change winemakers there is often an internal conflict between giving the winemaker free reign to make wines as he/she sees fit and creating a wine that fits in with the profile of previous vintages of the same bottle - especially when the previous vintages have been successful. Often times … Continue reading 2017 Psagot Cabernet Franc
2018 Jerusalem Wine Festival at the Israel Museum
In terms of general consumer wine events in Israel, the Jerusalem festival held annually at the Israel Museum is probably the largest and longest running. When it started, it really was a great way to sample a huge variety of wines at all price levels outside of premium and get have a nice relaxed night … Continue reading 2018 Jerusalem Wine Festival at the Israel Museum
RCC Israel #22 – Av 5778
As Ashkenazic customs of the 9 days prohibit the consumption of wine even on Rosh Chodesh Av we had the RCC brought forward by a couple of days to accommodate. While every dish that we had was wonderful (and beautifully plated), the clear star of the night for me was the dual preparation of Flat … Continue reading RCC Israel #22 – Av 5778
2017 Barkan Beta Series Colombard
This is the second of the three new Barkan Beta Series releases that I am tasting. You can read more about the series and my notes on the Rose here. Going into this, I didn't know what to expect. My experience with Colombard is usually as part of Gewurtz based off-dry blends - I would … Continue reading 2017 Barkan Beta Series Colombard
2017 Carmel 2 Vats Rosé
As any reader of this blog knows, I am a fan of most of Carmels' releases (outside of the Selected and Private Collection lines). I think they are usually well made and well priced - with some wines being outright QPR kings in their categories. Once such wine is the Carmel 4 Vats (a tasting … Continue reading 2017 Carmel 2 Vats Rosé
Andalucia Cocktail Bar – Soft Opening
This is not going to be a wine post - primarily - though we will circle back to wine at some point in this post. This is going to be a review of the newly opened Andalucia Cocktail Bar located in Kikar HaMusika in the center of Jerusalem. My wife Michal & I and another couple … Continue reading Andalucia Cocktail Bar – Soft Opening
2016 Hajdu Clarksburg Teraldego
This might be the first time that I am writing about a Hajdu wine on this blog so a bit of an introduction is necessary. Jonathan Hajdu is the winemaker at Covenant Wines of California - that is his day job and he does it really well. On the side he also runs his own … Continue reading 2016 Hajdu Clarksburg Teraldego
RCC Israel #21
This month Bracha cooked solo as Uri is off traveling with his lovely wife - and she did a wonderful job as usual. My favorite dish of the night was the corn gnocchi served on a puree of lamb bacon and greens topped with a sous vide egg - excellent stuff! My thanks to Andy … Continue reading RCC Israel #21
2017 Barkan Reserve Pink Muscat Rosé
After tasting the Barkan Beta Series Rosé I felt sort of hopeful that things were indeed in turnaround at Barkan which is currently the number 1 wine producer (sales wise) in Israel. Sure, conceptually I knew that the more established lines within the Barkan brand would need to take more minor shifts forward. Still, as Rosés typically … Continue reading 2017 Barkan Reserve Pink Muscat Rosé