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
Vitkin Wine Dinner at Herbert Samuel and July 2020 Winery Visit
This post has been a long time coming. Months actually. I returned from my last trip to the US at the very end of February and the very next open week night - I think it was March 1 – I attended another wine dinner at Herbert Samuel in Hertzlia, this time for Vitkin. I … Continue reading Vitkin Wine Dinner at Herbert Samuel and July 2020 Winery Visit
RCC Israel # 36 – Av 5780
Due to the ongoing craziness that is our world, we have not had an RCC evening since February. March rolled around and with it the Coronavirus pandemic, and everything came to an immediate halt. With the initial improvement in conditions in Israel and the relaxing of the guidelines from the Health Ministry, I decided about … Continue reading RCC Israel # 36 – Av 5780
Netofa’s 2020 Lineup
I have refrained from visiting wineries over the last couple of months out of necessity. Guidelines during this crazy period of time simply prevented most wineries from receiving visitors in person. Many if not most wineries were forced to adapt to the changing times and embraced some kind of direct to consumer delivery model to … Continue reading Netofa’s 2020 Lineup
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
2017 Backoushe Winery The Tailor Semillon – and a possible future change in the way I score
It’s been a while since I wrote a straight wine review - months in fact. I am sorry for that. Not sure if that is going to change any time soon as I am really trying to evaluate whether or not to change my scoring system after some intense conversations on methodology with my friend … Continue reading 2017 Backoushe Winery The Tailor Semillon – and a possible future change in the way I score
Seder 2020
Wine writing is something that I take pleasure in ordinarily. It allows me to crystallize my thoughts about whatever topic it is that I am writing about. If I happen to be writing about specific bottles, as opposed to a general topic, it actually helps me to commit the notes to memory - as well … Continue reading Seder 2020
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
Sommelier 2020
For quite some time Sommelier has been THE Israeli wine event. It ushers in the new vintages each year and allows people within the industry to sample the new releases from a wide variety of wineries across the country, ostensibly to allow stores, hotels, and restaurants to knowledgably place orders. For the last couple of … Continue reading Sommelier 2020