Great article from the International Wine Review on Israel

The International Wine Review released a GREAT report on Israeli wine and winemakers! Check it out:

http://kosherwinemusings.com/2012/08/21 ... -in-depth/

David

Here's a link for those who would like to go straight to the full report.

http://www.israeli-wine.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/38762-I-Wine-Review-2.pdf

Although 'tis always nice to see Israeli wines getting favorable coverage, I must admit that a quick scan of this report leads one to wonder if it is a wine report or a PR brochure. I could not find any low scores, all the wines seem to rate 87 and up in their estimation, and the notes are ecstatic to glowing. Is there any wine out of the 250 reviewed that they did not praise...???

Fair point my man - I was wondering the same - but again any news/marketing is good news - I guess. Scores far exceeded Daniel's or mine, but hey that is maybe a good thing or a loaded idea.

Although 'tis always nice to see Israeli wines getting favorable coverage, I must admit that a quick scan of this report leads one to wonder if it is a wine report or a PR brochure. I could not find any low scores, all the wines seem to rate 87 and up in their estimation, and the notes are ecstatic to glowing. Is there any wine out of the 250 reviewed that they did not praise...???

When describing the rating system the report says "We do not write up wines that receive a rating below 85 points." Perhaps this explains the lack of low scores. The fact that nothing scored below 87 just means that none of the wines tasted scored an 85 or 86.

The Barkan Classic Cabernet is rated 85 but then again, if they rate that undrinkable gunk 85, that leads me to believe that they're using a 15 point scale: 85-100. In any event, I haven't had a chance to read the whole thing yet, but after a quick review I can say that to me the scores make no sense whatsoever. Nevertheless, it's nice to see Israeli wines getting attention in the wider marketplace.

While their rating system might be questionable (as all rating systems are), their listed scores in the report are often in line with Rogov's. I notice also that I agree with many of those and we seem to share common points of view with a bunch of the wines reviewed. For example, I gladly yet humbly support the tasting notes for Adir's A blend and other Adir wines in general, Yatir, Flam or Ella Valley. Of course there are some other scores that I highly disagree with but neither more nor less than other critics and I of course take into account my total lack of experience with non-kosher wines and as well simply in general, being much younger than these folks. Considering Shivi Drori's contribution here, I'm surprised and disappointed that none of his Gvaot wines were included in the report.

But I'm also very happy with the much welcome (and so needed!) additional recognition this kind of article brings to the Israeli Wine Industry on the international scene and for tasting notes and scores by professional wine tasters. While I immensely enjoy reading through the blogs, write ups, scores and tasting notes of many of the folks on this forum, including also writing up my own, getting opinions from people unlikely to be biased when it comes to Israel is always interesting.

Kudos to Yossie Horwitz, Adam Montefiore, Gary Landsman and all the contributors to this well detailed report!

Best,

GG

OK, so I'm a cheap kamtzan. I just don't want to spend $39 to read this review of Israeli wines. Any computer geeks out there that can send me the pdf file of this document? Did all of you pay for this?
Dan

I linked to it in my recent newsletter and it's on my website (with permission since I helped with background on the story)

OK, so I'm a cheap kamtzan. I just don't want to spend $39 to read this review of Israeli wines. Any computer geeks out there that can send me the pdf file of this document? Did all of you pay for this?
Dan

This link goes to the full review. http://www.israeli-wine.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/38762-I-Wine-Review-2.pdf
Enjoy

I'm surprised that such an in-depth article had no coverage of Lewinsohn nor Somek... Both are easily in the top bracket of Israeli wines and are made by very talented, young winemakers.