Valentines Day is on February 14 so it’s time to get a gift for the one who love. What’s better than a romantic bottle of wine, book about Israeli wine, or stemware or other wine accessory.

Here is our list of 10 Valentines Day Wine Gifts for the Israeli Wine Lover

6. It goes without saying but Daniel Rogov’s annual wine guide has always been the premier guide for what to drink and what not. With Rogov’s passing, this is the final and ultimate guide to Israeli wine. It’s a hefty 700 pages, with information about wine tastings as well as the most comprehensive list of Israeli wines ever published.

If you buy one book about Israeli wines, this is it. Buy it now!

5. Janna Gur’s The Book of Israeli Food: A Culinary Journey is a coffee table book that must grace every foodie interested in Middle Eastern food. With great articles and breathtaking photos, Gur takes on the Israeli culinary potpourri, from shakshuka at the shouk to gourmet halva. While there are amazing recipes, it’s just a tremendous read. In addition, the wine section, written by Adam Montefiore, tells the story of the Israeli wine revolution from inception to present. There’s no one better to write about Israeli food than Janna Gur and no one better to write about wine than Adam Montefiore.

If you’re interested in Israeli food, kosher food, kosher wine, or Middle Eastern food, check it out!

4. Looking for affordable red wine glasses? My recommendation: Schott Zweisel is my go-to-brand for those who don’t want more expensive Riedel Vinum Bordeaux Wine Glasses, Set of 6. Depending on your size and budget these two are highly recommended:

• Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Stemware Pure Collection Burgundy 23.4 Ounce, Set of 6
• Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Stemware Forte Collection Red Wine/Light Soft Whites 13.6 Ounce, Set of 6

For white wine glasses:

• Schott Zwiesel Forte Sauvignon Blanc/White (Set of 6)

For champagne flutes:

• Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Stemware Forte Collection Champagne Flute With Effervesence Points 7.7 Ounce, Set of 6
• Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Stemware Cru Classic Collection Champagne Flute with Effervesence Points 8.4 Ounce, Set of 6

3. If you want wine and not vinegar, you need to invest in proper storage. While we would love a cave or wine cellar, most of us can’t afford this. Instead, a wine fridge has to do the job.

Have lots of wine or a big budget? Try Danby DWC612BLP 75 Bottle Wine Cooler – Platinum

Smaller budget or smaller collection? Try Haier HVTM16ABB 16-Bottle Wine Cellar with Electronic Controls

2. I discovered Vacu Vin when I was a young child in my parents’ liquor store and I’m still in love with the best wine stoppers. Buy Vacu Vin Stainless Steel Wine Saver Gift Set

1. There are lots of books and magazines about food and wine. Never miss them with the Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi. Then don’t forget to sign up for your favorite wine magazine subscription

And if you’re in Israel or want to give a gift to someone in Israel, why not a bottle of wine or high quality wine glasses and other accessories. You can get a custom order and even delivery at great prices from contributor David Rhodes. Contact him at israeliwineguy@gmail.com for a custom quote and inquiry.

Terravino 2011 has taken place. This is one of the main Israeli tasting competitions in the wine calendar, but it is the only open to international entrants.

The competition is organized annually by Ish Anavim, The Grape Man.

The big Israeli winner this year was Barkan. They won the prize for the best kosher wine and best winery. The winning wine was the Barkan Superieur Pinotage 2007. This is a grape variety the both specialize and excel in. Barkan is Israel’s second largest winery. It is owned by Tempo, Israel’s largest brewery & second largest beverage company. Their brands include Goldstar, Heineken, Absolut, Chivas Regal, and Pepsi Cola. Barkan also own Segal Wines. Their winery is at Hulda.

The prize for best boutique wineries was shared by Alexander and Adir. They each had two Double Gold Medal winning wines. Alexander Winery is situated at Beit Yitzhak in the Sharon Plain. It was founded in 1996. Adir Winery is situated in the Ramat Dalton Estate in the Upper Galilee.

The full list of winners is as follows.

The Best Kosher Israeli Wine – Barkan Wine Cellars Ltd Barkan Superieur Pinotage 2007

The Best Israeli Boutique Winery – Alexander Winery (Co-Awarding)

The Best Israeli Boutique Winery – Adir Winery (Co-Awarding)

The Best Israeli Small Boutique Winery – Shoshana Boutique Winery Shoshana Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

The Best Israeli Winemaker – Barkan Wine Cellars Ltd

Adir Winery Adir Tbr 2008 – Double Gold Medal Category 107 – Price US$ 50.00 to 84.99

Adir Winery Adir Plato 2009 – Double Gold Medal Category 107 – Price US$ 50.00 to 84.99

Alexander Winery Alexander Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008- Double Gold Medal Category 108 – Price US$ 85.00 to 119.99

Alexander Winery Alexander Reserve Merlot 2008 – Double Gold Medal Category 108 – Price US$ 85.00 to 119.99

Barkan Wine Cellars Ltd Barkan Superieur Pinotage 2007 – Double Gold Medal Category 107 – Price US$ 50.00 to 84.99

Shoshana Boutique Winery Shoshana Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 – Double Gold Medal Category 108 – Price US$ 85.00 to 119.99

Alexander Winery Alexander Reserve Shiraz 2008 – Gold Medal Category 108 – Price US$ 85.00 to 119.99

Arza Winery Auteur Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Gold Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Barkan Wine Cellars Ltd Barkan Superieur Shiraz 2006 – Gold Medal Category 107 – Price US$ 50.00 to 84.99

Barkan Wine Cellars Ltd Barkan Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Gold Medal Category 103 – Price US$ 11.00 to 16.99

Bazelet HaGolan Winery Bazelet Hagolan Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

2009- Gold Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Benhaim Winery Ltd Benhaim Grand Reserve 2006 – Gold Medal Category 106 – Price US$ 37.00 to 49.99

Benhaim Winery Ltd Benhaim Shiraz Tradition 2009 – Gold Medal Category 103 – Price US$ 11.00 to 16.99

Bustan Hameshushim Banjas Red 2009 – Gold Medal Category 102 – Price US$ 7.01 to US$ תחרות היינות והכהלים הבינלאומית –TERRAVINO 2011

Domaine Ventura Nahmans 2007 – Gold Medal Category 108 – Price US$ 85.00 to 119.99

Domaine Ventura Domaine Ventura Grande Cuvee Rose 2010 – Gold Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Eyal Boutique Winery Eyal Merlot 2009 – Gold Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Mond Winery Mond Merlot 2005 – Gold Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Mond Winery Mond Rouge 2005 – Gold Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Odem Mountain Winery Ltd Odem Mountain Merlot 2008 – Gold Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Odem Mountain Winery Ltd Odem Mountain Syrah 2009 – Gold Medal Category 106 – Price US$ 37.00 to 49.99

Or Hganuz Winery Namura Cabernet Franc 2009 – Gold Medal Category 107 – Price US$ 50.00 to 84.99

Or Hganuz Winery Or Haganuz Marom Vineyard Shamay Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Gold Medal Category 107 – Price US$ 50.00 to 84.99

Or Hganuz Winery Namura Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Gold Medal Category 107 – Price US$ 50.00 to 84.99

Or Hganuz Winery Or Haganuz Har Sinai – Gold Medal Category 107 – Price US$ 50.00 to 84.99

Red Sea Winery Red Sea Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Gold Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Shoshana Boutique Winery Shoshana Syrah 2008 – Gold Medal Category 107 – Price US$ 50.00 to 84.99

Stern Winery Rotem 2009 – Gold Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Tabor Winery Tabor Adama Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – Gold Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Adir Winery Adir “A” 2009 – Silver Medal Category 106 – Price US$ 37.00 to 49.99

Adir Winery Adir Kerem Ben Zimra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Silver Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Baram Winery Baram Forest 2009 – Silver Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Barkan Wine Cellars Ltd Barkan Altitude Cabernet Sauvignon +624 2008 – Silver Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Barkan Wine Cellars Ltd Barkan Assemblage Eitan 2008 – Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Barkan Wine Cellars Ltd Barkan Reserve Chardonnay 2010 – Silver Medal

Category 102 – Price US$ 7.01 to 10.99US$

Barkan Wine Cellars Ltd Barkan Assemblage Reichan 2008 – Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Barkan Wine Cellars Ltd Barkan Altitude Cabernet Sauvignon +412 2008 – Silver Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Benhaim Winery Ltd Benhaim Gran Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – Silver Medal Category 106 – Price US$ 37.00 to 49.99

Dadah Winery Dadah Malbec Barbera 2008 – Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Domaine Ventura Domaine Ventura Merlot 2009 – Silver Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Domaine Ventura Domaine Ventura Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Silver Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Galil Mountain Winery Meron 2008 – Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Galil Mountain Winery Galil Mountain Shiraz Cabernet 2009 – Silver Medal Category 103 – Price US$ 11.00 to 16.99

Galil Mountain Winery Yiron 2008 – Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Gush Etzion Winery Haalon Haboded Shiraz 2009 – Silver Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Gush Etzion Winery Haalon Haboded Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – Silver Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Mony Vineyards Mony Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2009

- Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Mosto Chardonnay Di Zimbalista 2010 – Silver Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Naaman Winery Naaman Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – Silver Medal Category 105 – Price US$ 27.00 to 36.99

Naaman Winery Deep Purple 2008 – Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Ramot Naftaly Winery Ramot Naftaly Shiraz 2009 – Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Ramot Naftaly Winery Ramot Cabernet Sauvignon Special Adition 2010 – Silver Medal Category 103 – Price US$ 11.00 to 16.99

Ruth Vineyard Ruth Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2007 – Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Savoine Wine Savion Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Shamaim Winery Shehakim 2009 – Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Shiloh Winery Shiloh Shiraz Merlot Shor 2007 – Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Stern Winery Stern Winery- Cabernet Franc 2009 – Silver Medal Category 103 – Price US$ 11.00 to 16.99

Tzuba Winery Tzuba Chardonnay 2010 – Silver Medal Category 104 – Price US$ 17.00 to 26.99

Nachmani Wines Nachmani Reserve Shiraz 2008 Gold Medal & Best Home Wine Award

Zuker Home Winery Jerusalem Zuker Merlot 2008 Gold Medal

Zuker Home Winery Jerusalem Zuker Shiraz 2008 Gold Medal

Kinarti Winery Kinarti Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Gold Medal

Metar Metar 2010 Gold Medal

Nachmani Wines Nachmani Reserve Merlot 2008 Gold Medal

AG Aroma of Grapes 2009 Silver Medal

Argov Argov Petite Sirah 2009 Silver Medal

Nahum Winery Shalom Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Silver Medal

Argov Sagol 2008 Silver Medal

Gabriel Gabriel Malbec 2009 Silver Medal

Hazan Winery Hazan Shira 2009 Silver Medal

Galach Aharon Galach Aharon 2009 Silver Medal

Zeev Winery Zeev Merlot 2009 Silver Medal

W&R 59 W&R Merlot 2009 Silver Medal

Gabriel Gabriel Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Silver Medal

Maimoni Maimoni Cabernet Franc 2009 Silver Medal

Har Adar winery Har Adar Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Silver Medal

Har Adar winery Har Adar Merlot Reserve 2009 Silver Medal

Binyamina Spirits Arak Hanamal 40 – Extra Fine Arak Anise/Licorice – Double Gold Medal

Galil Flavor Ltd. Pomegranate Dessert Wine Wine Fruit Sweet – Double Gold Medal

Sons of Baheej Kawar Industrial Ltd. Kawar Arak 45 Liqueurs Anise/Licorice – Double Gold Medal

Galil Flavor Ltd. Pomegranate Port Style Wine Wine Fruit Sweet – Gold Medal

Rafael Grappa Rafael Old-Fasioned Oak Barrel Grape Brandy Others – Gold Medal

Rimon Winery Ltd.Rimon Galilee Premium Pomegranate Port Style Wine 2006 Wine Fruit Sweet – Gold Medal

Rimon Winery Ltd.Rimon Red Semi Sweet Pomegranate Wine 2010Wine Fruit Sweet – Gold Medal

Anat’s Liqueurs Anat Orange Liqueur Liqueurs Fruit – Silver Medal

Anat’s Liqueurs Anat Irish Espresso Liqueur Liqueurs Coffee – Silver Medal

Ben Ari Winery Ben Ari Pomegranate Wine Wine Fruit Sweet – Silver Medal

Morad Winery Danue Passion Fruit Liqueurs Fruit – Silver Medal

Niv S.T. Healthy Ltd. Pomero 2010 Wine Fruit Sweet – Silver Medal

Rafael Grappa Rafael Grape Brandy Others – Silver Medal

Varda Beverages Varda Beverages Arak 2007 Liqueurs Anise/Licorice – Silver Medal

Carmel Winery has launched a new prestigious, limited edition, ‘wine finished’ brandy in memory of Daniel Rogov, z”l, who passed away recently. Daniel Rogov was Israel’s most celebrated wine critic, the voice of the Israel wine revolution and a strong advocate for Israeli wines. For nearly thirty years he was Israel’s most famous writer on both food and wine.

Rogov Brandy was distilled mainly from Colombard grapes. It is made up of components of 10, 15 and 27 year old brandies, matured separately in Carmel’s 120 year old cellars. The blend was then ‘finished’ in a used wine barrel. Although ‘wine finished’ whisky is a popular trend, to produce a ‘wine finished’ brandy is rare. However it is considered particularly appropriate in honor of a wine critic.

The individual components celebrate different stages in Daniel Rogov’s career. The 27 year old brandy represents the early 1980’s, when Rogov began to write on food and wine in Israel. The 15 year old brandy represents the 1990’s, when Rogov, writing in the Jerusalem Post, became established as Israel’s most prominent food and wine critic. The 10 year old brandy represents the 2000’s, when Rogov, by now writing for Haaretz, cemented his international reputation, and received international recognition as the world’s leading expert on Israeli and Kosher wines.

Rogov Brandy is rich, very fruity, with a warm, rounded middle palate and long lingering finish. This special and unique brandy comes in a numbered bottle, in its own gift box. Only 300 bottles were produced. It will only be available at the Carmel Wine & Culture Shop, Winery St., Zichron Ya’acov.

Carmel Winery stated producing brandies in 1898 to use excess grapes. The winery has won many trophies and gold medals for its brandies over the years. Rogov Brandy joins the other quality Carmel brandies:

Carmel 100 Brandy

This was created to celebrate Carmel’s 100^th anniversary.

Carmel 100 Brandy won the ultimate award for a brandy at one of the world’s most prestigious competitions for spirits:

Winner of ‘The Oude Meester Trophy for Best Brandy Worldwide 1998.’(IWSC*, London)

Carmel 120 Brandy

This was a limited edition brandy released to celebrate Carmel’s 120^th harvest. Only 2,000 bottles were produced. This brandy received rave reviews, including from Daniel Rogov himself. He regarded it as Israel’s finest brandy.

“The newly released Carmel 120 Brandy raises Israeli brandies to a new level, one frankly that I had not thought possible in the past. This one comfortably earns 95 points.” Daniel Rogov

* The International Wines & Spirits Competition in London.

]]> http://www.israeli-wine.org/2012/01/06/rogov-brandy/feed/ 0 http://www.israeli-wine.org/2012/01/05/castel-yatir-excel-again/ http://www.israeli-wine.org/2012/01/05/castel-yatir-excel-again/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:01:39 +0000 Avi http://www.israeli-wine.org/?p=2487 The following is from wines-israel.com and reprinted with permission. 

The Wine Advocate has published its annual December tasting of Israeli wines.

The three most successful wines were Yatir Forest, Castel Grand Vin and Carmel Limited Edition.

The target of any winery is to receive 90 points or more in the Wine Advocate.

The wines which succeeded in this objective were:

Castel Grand Vin 2009                                                        92 points

Yatir Forest 2008                                                                  92

Carmel Limited Edition 2008                                             91

Carmel Mediterranean 2008                                             90

Carmel Shiraz, Kayoumi 2008                                            90

Castel Blanc du Castel 2010                                                90

Yatir Merlot Shiraz Cabernet 2008                                    90

Barkan Assemblage Mount Eitan  2008                           90

Barkan Cabernet Sauvignon Superieur  2007                 90

Barkan Cabernet Sauvignon Superieur 2008                  90

Alexander Amarolo 2007                                                    90

Alexander Cabernet sauvignon The Great 2007            90

Margalit Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve 2008      90

The Wine Advocate is the newsletter of the world’s most powerful wine critic, Robert Parker. Mark Squires tastes the Israeli wines on Parker’s behalf.

Now Daniel Rogov is deceased, the scores of Mark Squires, arguably the main expert on Israeli wines, become even more significant.

The surprise was the success of Israel’s two largest wineries. Both Barkan and Carmel had three wines on the list.

Of the smaller wineries, Alexander, Castel and Yatir each had two wines which reached the coveted 90 points.

The Wine Advocate has now been regularly tasting Israeli wines for five years.

By far the most successful Israeli wines during this period are Castel Grand Vin and Yatir Forest.

No other Israeli wine comes close to the record of these two Bordeaux style blends.

Castel Grand Vin is produced by Domaine du Castel at Ramat Raziel. Yatir Forest is produced by Yatir Winery at Tel Arad.

The Castel Grand Vin has six times received 90 points or more:

2003   90

2004   92

2006   90

2007   91

2008   93

2009   92

The Yatir Forest has on six consecutive vintages scored 90 points or more:

2003  93

2004  91

2005  90

2006  91

2007  91

2008  92

As of now, forty six Israeli wines have scored 90 points in the Wine Advocate. So it is no longer as rare as it used to be. However,

only 19 Israeli wines have succeeded to score 91 points or more in the Wine Advocate. This makes a far more select list.

The wines with 91 points or more, are as follows:

Yatir Forest 2003                                                           93 points

Castel Grand Vin 2008                                                  93

Margalit Cabernet Sauvignon Sp. Res.  2007                93

Clos du Gat Sycra Muscat 2007                                    93

Castel Grand Vin 2004                                                  92

Yatir Forest 2008                                                           92

Castel Grand Vin 2008                                                  92

Clos du Gat Sycra Syrah 2007                                      92

Tzora Or 2006                                                               92

Carmel Limited Edition 2007                                         91

Carmel Limited Edition 2008                                         91

‘C’ Blanc du Castel 2005                                              91

Castel Grand Vin 2007                                                 91

Yatir Forest 2004                                                         91

Yatir Forest 2006                                                         91

Yatir Forest 2007                                                         91

Margalit Kadita Cabernet Sauvignon 2007                 91

Yarden HeightsWine 2005                                          91

Yarden Katzrin 2003                                                   91

Both Castel and Yatir again lead the way having scored 91 points or more on five occasions.

Carmel, Clos du Gat, Margalit, and Yarden have each achieved this twice.

Cava is Spain’s national sparkling wine, which is made in the Catalonian region. It provides quality, but at a cheaper price than the French version.

Prosecco is the latest rising star. This is a light, soft, fruity sparkling wine made in the Veneto region of Italy. It is usually a little cheaper than Cava, and so is popular with those buying on price.Lambrusco is a semi sparkling wine, with a slight fizz. It may be red or white and in any style from dry to semi sweet.

Champagne is the ultimate expression of the art, which is replicated by ‘traditional method’ sparkling wines made elsewhere. Between the late 1950’s and 1980’s, Carmel was the first Israeli winery to produce ‘méthode champenoise’ sparkling wines. It was expensive undertaking needing a special work force as everything was done by hand. There was no market for expensive sparkling wine in those days and so they eventually stopped production. It was too unprofitable. The only remaining clue of a champagne past, are the old pupitres, which can still be seen at the Rishon Le Zion Cellars.

Carmel’s specialist winemaker for sparkling wines was Koby Gat. He was a Francophile and his main interest was in sparkling wines. As Carmel’s focus changed, his did also. He became the agronomist looking after Carmel’s vineyards and later ran the wine education department. The main wine flying the flag for Israel was President’s Sparkling wine, made primarily from Colombard grapes. It was initially made by the champagne method, and later by the charmat process. It was sold abroad as Brut Cuvée and Blanc de Blancs, all under the Carmel label. Another brand was Sambatyon. There was also a Chardonnay Sparkling Wine at in the early 1990’s.

It was then that Israel took a giant step forward to producing quality sparkling wine. The Golan Heights Winery sent their young, new winemaker, Victor Schoenfeld, to work for six months at Jacquesson Champagne to learn the secrets of the ‘champenoise.’ The Golan then invested in all the modern equipment to make champagne method sparkling wine. This time the process was mechanized and gyro-pallets were used instead of manual remuage. Their efforts resulted in three traditional method sparkling wines: Yarden Blanc de Blancs, Yarden Brut and Gamla Rose.

At the 1996 International Wine & Spirit Competition in London, Israeli sparkling wine arrived on the international stage. Yarden Blanc de Blancs, then a non-vintage wine, won the Trophy for The Best Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine. This high profile award was repeated in 2003 when Yarden Blanc de Blancs 1997, by then a vintage wine, won the same trophy. The 1999 vintage also won a prestigious trophy at Vinitaly of 2006. These prizes were to the immense credit of the Golan Heights Winery. It showed that Israeli sparkling wine could be truly world class.

Today sparkling wine such as President’s, Brut Cuvée, Sambatyon, Yarden Brut and Gamla Rose are history. They are no longer made. However the choice of quality Israeli sparkling wines has never been better. These are the wines for New Years Eve or Sylvester’s parties and they are as good as any Cava or Prosseco! The range of Israeli sparklers goes from the frizzante Moscatos to the finest champagne method wines.

Young Selected Moscato, Golan Moscato & Young Selected Carignano – all 2011
These are light, fruity, easy drinking wines, with a touch of sweetness, and a slight sparkle. The two Moscatos are white and the Carignano is red. All are low alcohol.

Selected Sparkling, Selected Sparkling Rosé & Selected Sparkling Lite
The regular ‘extra dry’ white sparkling wine is made from Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc. It is light, fruity with a delicate and not too obvious sweetness.
The Selected Sparkling Rosé has a delicate berry fruit nose, is deliciously balanced and has an attractive salmon pink color. Selected Sparkling Lite is a semi sweet sparkling wine with only 7% alcohol.

Tabor Pninim White & Tabor Pninim Red
Tabor make two semi sparkling red and white wines. The white is made from Gewurztraminer and Viognier grapes and the red is made from Merlot. Both are semi dry, quaffable and may described as fun wines, to be enjoyed without pretension. The word ‘Pninim’ means pearls and is so named for the string of bubbles that constantly rise upwards in the glass.

Private Collection Brut & Private Collection Brut Rosé
The Private Collection Brut sparkling wine is made by the Charmat Method from Colombard and Chardonnay. The wine is refreshing, with an aroma of lime, green apple, with hints of lightly toasted bread. The Private Collection Brut Rosé is made from Chardonnay, Colombard and Syrah. Delicate pink in color, with a strawberry nose, this wine will be a good accompaniment to a wide range of first course dishes.

Tabor 562 Red & Tabor 562 White
The Tabor sparkling wines come in a white and red version. The red wine is the first genuine sparkling red wine in Israel and is made from Barbera grapes. It is fruity with a refreshing cranberry finish and is a fun, slightly unusual sparkling wine option. The white is made from Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon and has a refreshing citrus character.

Gamla Brut
Gamla Brut is made by the traditional method from 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, grown in the relatively cool climate Golan Heights. The wine is left to age for one year at least before disgorging. The wine is bone dry, with good berry aroma and refreshing acidity.

Tishbi Brut
A bottle fermented sparkling wine made from French Colombard grapes, grown in the Shomron Region vineyards, in the southern Mt. Carmel region. The wine is aromatic, fruity, with a nice clean good lemony finish.

Yarden Blanc de Blancs 2005
Israel’s finest champagne method sparkling wine, made 100% from Chardonnay grapes grown on the Golan Heights. The wine is delicate with tropical fruit notes, and a toasty backdrop. It is of the quality of the finest champagne, but is a great deal better value.

Pelter Blanc de Blancs
A tiny production of traditional method sparkling wine, made from Chardonnay grapes grown in the Galilee and Golan. The wine rests for three years on its yeasts. The result is a fresh, aromatic and intense wine. The wine is rare, exclusive and very expensive.

read the full article

A little history of Teperberg winery:

Moti is a fifth-generation Jerusalemite on his father Menachem’s side and 10th generation on his mother Rivka’s side. The foundations for the family’s wine business were laid by Avraham Teperberg, who immigrated to Ottoman Palestine from Austria in 1850, and two years later opened a store in Jerusalem that sold wine and other alcoholic beverages. His son, Ze’ev Zaide, caught the bug and in 1870 set up a winery called Efrat in the Old City, named for the ancient route of grapes that were transported from Bethlehem, also called Efrat in Genesis. The first winery in the country’s Jewish community, antedating Baron Rothschild’s venture by about 20 years, it was located in cellars beneath the Jewish Quarter. In 1925, the winery was relocated to the Romema neighborhood at the western edge of the new city. The business flourished and the Teperbergs sold bottles of sweet sacramental wine in large numbers. But then someone noticed that the winery’s logo, showing the two spies in Canaan with a cluster of grapes, had been copied by the big Carmel Mizrachi Winery. "There were legal proceedings with Carmel over the logo," Moti recalls. "In the end there was a compromise, but the affair cost the family a lot of energy and money, and the business deteriorated." Afterward, the Teperbergs were granted an exclusive franchise by the British Mandatory authorities to produce alcoholic beverages, and established a plant in Sarona, the community founded by the German Templars north of Jaffa. A few years later, the authorities allowed alcohol to be imported and the family went bankrupt.

After Israel’s establishment, Moti’s father and his brother went back to the wine business. The new winery, located in Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda produce market – in the backyard of Rachmo’s famous hummus place – manufactured some 80,000 bottles of sacramental wine. "That was the only kind of wine people in Israel drank at the time," Moti says. "There was barely any dry red wine. Afterward, the Romanians and the Hungarians brought in the spritz trick: You put wine in a Sypholux soda-maker and create Champagne. I remember the Mahane Yehuda winery from my childhood. On holidays, during the harvest, I poured grapes into a machine and stomped on grapes with special boots." In 1964, the winery moved to Motza, outside Jerusalem.

Moti has managed the winery since 1984. For the past six years it has been located near Kibbutz Tzora, on the slopes of the Judean Hills wine country, which evokes Tuscany. Moti joined the new wave of local winemakers who discovered the marvels of terroir (a fusion of terrain and climate ), and the ability of skilled local vintners to put out high-quality products. In an attempt to shake off the image of the sweet Efrat wines, Moti called his line Teperberg 1870; his is today the fourth biggest winery in the country. Hila works in the business as a market coordinator and is in charge of establishing a visitors’ center.

The following is printed with permission of the author

The ultimate, and final, Rogov Guide has been published. It contains nearly 687 pages. Last years version had a mere 603 pages! This year there is no International kosher wine Guide, nor a version in Hebrew. The book is published by Toby Press, the publisher, which has provided a wonderful service to Israeli wine over the years. Rogov’s Guide was first published in 2005 and the last in the series will be the 2012 edition.

It will be the final edition because of the untimely death of the author, Daniel Rogov, z”l, just over a month ago. Daniel Rogov for thirty years had been Israel’s most famous wine critic and the voice of the Israel wine renaissance. His mouthpiece was firstly the Jerusalem Post, then Haaretz and Rogov’s Wine Discussion Forum. However it was the annual Rogov’s Guide To Israeli Wines, which really made Rogov a household name.

The book contains 175 Israeli wineries. For this reason alone it is worth purchasing, because it is the most comprehensive list of Israeli wineries available anywhere, and that includes Israeli wine websites and even the country’s official wine bodies! So it is a valuable source of information. It also contains a data base of wine tasting notes and scores for older wines making it a complete source of information.

The eagerly awaited winery rankings by Rogov were increased this year from the usual ‘Top 10’, to a Baker’s Dozen, allowing the addition of three more wines to the standard list. The top wineries were:

1. Golan Heights Winery (Katzrin, Rom, Yarden, Gamla)
2. Margalit
3. Yatir
4. Castel
5. Clos de Gat
6. Flam
7. Chateau Golan
8. Pelter
9. Carmel (Limited Edition, Mediterranean, Single Vineyard, Appellation)
10. Sea Horse
11. Recanati
12. Tzora
13. Vitkin

The top wines released in the last 12 months were:

• Golan Heights Rom Yarden 2007 95 points
• Margalit, Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Reserve 2009 95
• Yatir Forest 2008 95

Tom Stevenson, the author of the Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia and editor of The Wine Report, wrote: “……thankfully sommeliers and consumers of Israeli wines everywhere can turn to Rogov’s Guide to Israeli Wines. The Guide ranks with Platter’s Guide in South Africa as head-and-shoulders above every other national wine guide.” A compliment indeed from one of the world’s most respected wine writers. The The Ultimate Rogov’s Guide is the biggest and best ever. It remains a fitting final memorial to Daniel Rogov’s giant contribution to Israeli wine. His memory is a blessing.

Founded by wine growers on Moshav B’nai Atarot (near HaTayaasim Junction and Airport City), grapes are sourced from the Upper Galilee and Ben Zimra vineyard.

The winery has events on Fridays. Conviently located near Ben Gurion Airport, it’s worthwhile attending both for tourists looking to visit a (non-kosher) Israeli winery and residents.