Yair Hajdu, Riedel’s representative in Europe, gave a presentation & tasting using the unique Riedel glasses, for the winemakers & owners of the wineries which are part of ‘Handcrafted Wines of Israel.’

This special tasting was hosted by David Ziv, CEO of Carmel Winery at Carmel’s Rishon Le Zion Winery, in honor of the winemakers of Handcrafted Wines of Israel. The wines used in the initial demonstration were:

Ramat Arad Sauvignon Blanc, Single Vineyard, Carmel Winery, 2003

Galil Chardonnay, Appellation Wines, Carmel Winery,  2003

Ben Zimra Cabernet Sauvignon, Single Vineyard, Carmel Winery, 2002

Each of the wineries then had the opportunity to taste both their own wines & those of their competitors, to judge how they performed with the different styles of glasses.

The following wineries were represented at the tasting:

Amphorae Vineyard by Gil Shatzberg; Bazelet ha Golan – Keren; Chillag Wine – Orna Chillag; Domaine du Castel – Eli Ben Zaken & Arnon Geva; Flam Winery – Gilad Flam; Hamasrek – Hanoch & Nahum Greengrass; Margalit Winery – Yair & Asaf Margalit; Saslove Winery – Barry & Roni Saslove; Tzora Vineyards – Roni James; Yatir Winery – Ya’acov Ben Dor & Eran Goldwasser.

Before the meeting there were reports on the successful launch of Israeli wines in Russia and discussion about future plans.

It is good to see that ‘Handcrafted Wines of Israel’ do not only export, market & distribute as a group, but are also prepared to taste, learn & develop together too.

Photos - Yoram Chilag

November 2004