I have been doing these France trips with my friend David Raccah of Kosher Wine Musings for five years now. Until now, David has always come twice a year - in May and November - while I only joined for the November trip. This was mostly due to work scheduling issues, family commitments, etc., and … Continue reading France – May 2024 – Part 1 – Royal
Chateau Les Riganes
France Trip 2022 – Part 2 – Royal
Really, the high point of my visit to France each year, besides hanging out with my friend David Raccah for a week tasting wine and eating good food, is getting to spend quality time with Menachem Israelievitch, head winemaker for Royal Europe. It’s not just that he’s a consummate professional, managing dozens of productions at … Continue reading France Trip 2022 – Part 2 – Royal
Paris – November 2021 – Part 3 – Royal’s Truly Royal 2019 Vintage with Menachem Israelievitch
Finally, we are on to the main event. Honestly, the real reason I try to fly to France - besides hanging out with David - is to hang out for a day with Menachem Israelievitch and taste through Royal’s current French portfolio. It is truly the highlight of my trip each time. It’s not just … Continue reading Paris – November 2021 – Part 3 – Royal’s Truly Royal 2019 Vintage with Menachem Israelievitch
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
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
France Trip 2019 – Part 1 – Intro + Paris & Royal Wines
After NY, I flew to France for 4 days of wine and really, nothing else. I didn’t have a chance to visit the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre or anything else for that matter. If I wasn’t travelling (to or from wine) or eating (with wine) then I was sleeping (passed out from drinking wine). … Continue reading France Trip 2019 – Part 1 – Intro + Paris & Royal Wines
Blind Tastings with David Raccah and friends
When I visit the US, I usually spend some quality time with fellow wine-lovers who I get to see too infrequently. But with limited time (and funds), I basically stick to the NY/NJ area each trip to be close to my family. That makes visiting with friends from other areas a real treat. Luckily David … Continue reading Blind Tastings with David Raccah and friends
KFWE-Israel 2018
Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, work took me to Barcelona at a most inopportune time - causing me to miss the annual Zur/KFWE-Israel event. Adding insult to injury, Elvi’s inclusion in the Zur/Royal portfolio also meant that a trip out to visit any of the Elvi properties was out of the question. As a consolation, Dr. Moises … Continue reading KFWE-Israel 2018