Israeli Wines: Wines from Israel That Are Not Kosher

Israeli Wines: Wines from Israel That Are Not Kosher – Episode #513

August 4, 2008

Today Gary Vaynerchuk explores some wines from Israel and sees if they bring thunder or not! Also the Thunder Cruise goes on sale today!

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Comments on this episode(193) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD: I’ve only had one cheap glass of mevushal (intentionally ‘cooked…” by richardvinifera
“Wow. Great to see an area that doesnt get enough respect bring some t…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2007 Flam Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Pelter Unoaked Chardonnay
2005 Karmei Yosef Cabernet Bravdo
2004 Meishar Cab 730

Links mentioned in todays episode.

193 Responses

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November 13, 2009

richardvinifera
QOTD: I’ve only had one cheap glass of mevushal (intentionally ‘cooked’) red wine from Carmel (Samson). It was reduced to clear at Tesco (UK’s Wal-Mart equivalent). It had a sort of simple plum flavour and also a component that reminded me of green seashell/seaside/algae minerality which was unusual but actually not entirely unpleasant. That was the only alcohol I drank and I was sick the next day. Don’t know if it was a reaction to something in the wine, but i think i’ll stick to regular kosher, or non-kosher Israeli wine in future instead of the treated stuff!
January 17, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Wow. Great to see an area that doesnt get enough respect bring some thunder! Could Gary be a prophet? Im not say yes or no, Im just saying Gary’s never wrong ( except the 2008 Jets season. Sorry ). QOTD: Still yet to have one.
December 25, 2008

David S
Best Israeli wine I ever had: 1985 Yarden Cabernet, past its time a few years ago, but the 1990 Yarden Cabernet and Katzrin Cabernet should be at peak now

Props for this show, I’m limited to kosher, but I hope Flam goes the way of Castel (started non then went kosher) Their Gran Vin 03 is mucho gusto

Wanna go to Israel? I can put you in touch with Grape-Man, Chaim Gan.

he has a website and is connected to all major wineries, kosher and not

A fan from Brooklyn, David
December 8, 2008

Ari
As an American/Israeli S.E.O. professional – this episode did all sorts of things for me – you have many fans at our company (matan media) and now an even bigger one for profiling Israeli wines. There are so many boutique wineries here – when are you coming out to Israel? Hit up an internet marketing conference and then some wine tasting?

The middle eastern phrase (in hebrew AND arabic) goes… “YALLA”! look it up
December 8, 2008

David Benjamin
Glad to have stumbled upon this episode. Visited Israel a yr ago and was very impressed with their wines. Did a tasting in the Golan Heights and have found memories. Just finished my last bottle a few weeks back and wished I could visit Israel soon…and drink their wine.
October 21, 2008

Shahar Golan
Long time that I did not have a look in the Wine Library TV. I am so glad to see that you had this tasting of Israeli non-Kosher wine. Not that there is a problem with Kosher wine, just that looking at the non-Kosher wine opens you to the real market of Israeli wine.

QOTD: I had my first Israeli wine at the age of 8 days; you see, it is customary to give a baby some wine in his circumcision. I cannot say I enjoyed that wine very much, however. Israeli wines I liked better are the Grand Vin of Castel 2005, the Yarden Syrah 2005, and the Clos de Gat Chardonney 2005.

Glad to be back. I have a lot of episodes to catch up…
September 14, 2008

Joshcake
First time viewer, and I loved you show!

I lived in Israel for 5 years, and have tasted many of their wines. My favorite remains the Castel Winery. They’ve got some wonderful wines, and very well made. Please try them, and I’d look forward to seeing your review!

– Josh
September 3, 2008

yowens
Excellent show, love hearing about wines I know little about. I may have had only 1 israeli wine, it was this off dry cab thank I didnt particularly care for, I’m looking forward to trying others though!
August 16, 2008

JudeMurphy
Had a beautiful Lebanese wine once but never an Israeli.
Watching from a cafe in Montpellier.
Nice!
August 16, 2008

Ira
Patriotism aside, I am glad to say we ARE making great wines. the Israeli terroir was once considered the best in the Roman Empire, and our local wines were sold in Europe, some sources say that more Israeli (then Provincia Palastina) was actually imported at larger quantities than the local production, which is damn impressive…

however the local wine scene has only started flourishing with boutique (mostly non-kosher) wine in the last 15 years, now we have over 100 such tiny wineries, maybe close to 200 where once were none.

The reason by the way, that they are not getting a kosher stamp, is that in Israel it can be an expensive stamp of approval. You have to pay local government-sanctioned rabbinate kosher inspectors and make sure only OBSERVANT Jews enter the vineyards and the winery, which is an utterly ridiculous demand to most secular Israelis, and certainly for boutique winery entrepreneurs, hence non-kosher Israeli wine.

One of the best wine makers in Israel, considered by many of the people in the know (not by Rogov maybe, but it’s OK to disagree) is Assaf Paz. it’s a name I think you should look for. he consults the Binyamina winery, and did a few award-winning blends for Carmel Mizrakhi (some of their “local vineyards” series) but his best work is in his home-winery of “Vitkin Wines”, where his goal is to let the lesser known Israeli grapes shine, like Viognier, French Colombard, and even Temperanillo, which I didn’t even know was grown here. Also features are Carignan, Riesling and Gewurztraminer among others in both surprising pure form and excellent unorthodox blends, and you find some very unique stuff there. This winery literally changed my opinions on Rose wines and several grapes altogether.

Other noteworthy wineries (I think) are Amphora, Golan Heights and many so small you may never even see them exported from Israel. you’ll have to come visit
August 13, 2008

Pat Sissons
QOTD: I would like to try that 2007 Flam Sauvignon Blanc, so as soon as i can find a retailer that stocks it i will have tasted my first israeli wine.
August 12, 2008

Sharon
Nice t-shirt! Seesmic, nice.
QOTD: Have had ONE Isreali wine that I have liked, but have tried very few. My LWS’s often don’t carry them at all.
August 11, 2008

Alfredhayes
Question OTD: None yet. I’ll have one by October.

Quote OTD: “Helloooooooo green peppers”
August 10, 2008

Wine Tasting Guy
Very cool episode. Your style is unique Mr. VAY-NER-CHUK. Way to bring wine appreciation to a level the masses can appreciate in an un-intimidating kind of way!

As to the wines you tried – very nice.

Golan Flam of FLAM winery comes from a wine family (his father was the winemaker at Carmel for many years) who studied winemaking in Italy. GREAT GUY!

Tal Pelter of Pelter winery studied winemaking in Australia and is a disciplined and creative young up & coming winemaker.

Bravdo, which beginning with the 2007 harvest WILL be kosher, is an amazing story. Prof. Bravdo is an amazing man as is Prof. Oded who oversees much of the winemaking these days. They are also large growers in the region and sell a lot of their fruit. I hope the switch to kosher (less hands on by winemakers) does not adversely effect their wines.

As to the “green” in the Bravdo wines, this was a criticism of Robert Parker when he (with Mark Squires) did his extensive israeli wine tasting. Some suspect it will fade away as the vines get older. While others see these “green olive” & “green herb” aromas as specific flavor profiles of the region.

Thanks for the great episode Gary (great name BTW). Anyone seeking any additional Israeli wine info should feel free to reach out. You can contact me via my blog… http://winetastingguy.com/
August 8, 2008

Rafi Schutzer
Domaine du Castel 2005
The best Israeli Wine made, period.
August 8, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Q- Soon i hope.
August 8, 2008

Ken
good show I love it when you are breaking the barriers of traditional countries that make wines.
well never had a Israeli wine bfore,but I really want to try the Flam Sav. Blanc
August 7, 2008

Ozzy
Gary,

As an Israeli citizen who enjoys world wine and loves recieving different opinions on our local wine, it was a pleasure to see things from a different and most importantly OPEN point of view! Thanks!

Ozzy
August 7, 2008

Kristen
Great article/interview in the Wine and Spirits Special Issue with Greico! When I saw “Rebels Rock the Best of the Wine World,” I had an inkling you’d be in there! I’d love to see Greico’s wine bar someday. If you haven’t seen it, the interview video is here: http://www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com/

QOTD: Sadly no. I’d love to have one though! I’ll keep my eyes peeled!
August 7, 2008

JayZee
Very interesting show. Admittedly, when I think of Israeli wines, I assume “kosher”.

QOTD: I’ve never had an Israeli wine. I’ll have to see if we have any in Ohio.
August 7, 2008

Christine
QOTD: Never had an Israeli wine. I will have my first Israeli wine once my two local wine shops have them in stock.
August 7, 2008

Jerry Bob
Never have. Will soon! I thank you Gary for Rocking! and always inspiring. God Bless.
August 7, 2008

thecobalt9
Never had a good one – just a couple of whites from Yarden which were straight awful.
August 7, 2008

Jason S.
QOTD: Never had one and I don’t see them around that often, so when I come across one next time I’ll keep it in mind!
August 7, 2008

Deano
Gary good episode these sounded all pretty good.

QOTD:
-None yet hopefully soon