Israel’s 2008 Harvest Begins

Posted on November 17, 2008

The 2008 harvest has just begun and, here in Israel, a handful of super-young wines have just been released or are about to be released.

The Golan Heights Winery has already released their 2008 Moscato, a light and fizzy wine. This is Daniel Rogov’s tasting note:

Golan Heights Winery, Moscato, Golan, 2008: Oh what a lovely little wine. Made in the style of Moscato d’Asti entirely from Muscat Canelli grapes, with generous sweetness set off nicely by lively acidity and a light fizzy nature. Nothing complex here but delightful aromas and flavors of wild flowers, green apples, peaches and passion fruit and minerals. Light- to medium-bodied, low in alcohol (6%) and remarkably refreshing, as good as an aperitif as a dessert wine with fruit-based pies, tarts and mousses. An ebullient wine to drink as well chilled as you would a Champagne. Drink now. NIS 40. Score 87. K

In addition, the Golan Heights Winery is releasing their annual Gamay Noveau, which is the only Israeli wine that is done in “Beaujolais-style.”

Tishbi Winery is also releasing their Tishbi Junior and Binyamina is releasing their Binyamina B. Here is Daniel Rogov’s tasting note for the Binyamina ‘B’:

Binyamina, “B”, 2008: Whether this super-young wine is meant to be referred to as “B”, “BB” or “Baby” rather eludes me. Although relying on carbonic maceration as do the young wines of Beaujolais, this local version relies entirely on Carignan grapes. Whatever, dark black cherry in color, light, round, and easy to drink with strawberry, red currant and raspberry fruits. Nothing serious here but a nice little wine. Drink well chilled. NIS 30. Score 85. K

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