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
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)
RCC Israel # 35 – Shevat 5780
This month we had the opportunity to work with a chef whom I have been wanting to try for a long time - Amrom Pitterman. Each time I would try, he was busy or abroad, and so other arrangements were always made. But the stars aligned this month, and we were beneficiaries of five excellent … Continue reading RCC Israel # 35 – Shevat 5780
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
RCC Israel # 34 – Tevet 5780
This month we scheduled RCC to be New Year's Eve and took the opportunity to ring in 2020 with an appropriate 20 wines. Chef on duty was Avi Katz, who did a nice job overall with the food. A couple of highlights there were the potato soup with crispy lamb bacon, which was excellent - … Continue reading RCC Israel # 34 – Tevet 5780
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