Reporting from the Israwinexpo

March 2, 2008 - 1:00 PM by Avi

bgimgHome.jpgSo I returned Wednesday night from the first public night of the Israwinexpo 2008, Israel’s 2nd international wine trade show. While the two public days were mostly wine tastings attended by Israel’s growing oenophiles (and a few tourists, including my parents), the first day was only for professionals. Journalists from Wine Spectator, Decanter (one of Europe’s top wine magazines), several Asian wine journalists, and top wine critics (including Mark Squires, from the Wine Advocate, who recently wrote a piece on Israeli wine), and officials from several major supermarkets in the US and Europe.

I have to admit that, for me, this was very similar – but a tad more professional – than the Jerusalem wine festival, with a lot of people aiming to taste some top wines (although this event had a larger presence by the large producers and, given its location in Tel Aviv and attempt to garner shelf space abroad, a larger percentage of the non-certified kosher (such as Saslove, Sea Horse, and Vitkin) producers were in attendance. And, of course, admission included a very high quality glass to wrap around one’s neck during the tasting. Of course the crowds did make it hard to taste and only a small number (hundreds, instead of thousands) of wines were being poured.

Dalton barrelBut, more importantly, this was a chance to enjoy Israeli (and a few non-Israeli producers, including from Italy and Washington State – although the Israeli yayin tasted far better!) wines together. Personally, I discovered a new producer (Gvaot, made in the West Bank settlement of Kedumim) and changed my mind (positively) about another producer. More importantly, I was thrilled to see native Israelis enjoying high quality wines and was delighted that the Israeli wines were far tastier and enjoyable than the wines from North America and Europe.

From Yatir to Avidan to Gvaot, Vitkin, Sea Horse, Alexander, Saslove, Galil Mountain, Dalton, Golan Heights Winery and Carmel, Israeli wine is of high quality, diverse, and sophisticated.

I admit that this wasn’t always the case but it’s important to understand that Israeli wine of today is not the Carmel dreck of 30 years ago and there is no reason to do – as my father did – drink Carmel’s Rose (not a sophisticated wine) “for nostalgia’s sake” as that doesn’t represent Israeli wine in 2008. But, for those who were open to listening and learning and, above all, tasting, the event was a tremendous introduction to the growing wine culture in Israel – a land that has been producing wine for thousands of years.

(Crossposted on HaKerem: The Israeli Wine Blog)

Tags: • Category: Food, General, Israeliness, Life 

Comments

One Comment on Reporting from the Israwinexpo

  1. Emeq on Tue, Mar 4th 2008 8:14 PM

    2. What wonderful news. I would certainly love to include some of those non-kosher wines in my cellar. Perhaps you could link us to their winery’s or at least to the sellers of these fine producers. The effort for me is to buy Israeli whenever possible.

    Thank You.

    Emeq ben Yosef

Leave a Comment





© 2010 ISRAELITY | Site by illuminea | Sitemap