Many are cynical about wine tasting competitions. There are too many of them, and sometimes their tasting methods are somewhat dubious. However it is a fact that consumers take these competitions very seriously and so do many in the wine business.

For many years Israel has done very well in competitions, which has succeeded in raising the international profile of Israeli wines. However everyone knows that it is the gold medals & trophies that really mean something, because even those competitions that give too many prizes are normally less free with the top awards.

In 2004, a number of different Israeli wineries won many gold medals, showing a new strength in depth.

At the prestigious competition organized at Vinitaly, the Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 won the ‘Grand Gold Medal’ as the very best wine in its category. 

At the Challenge International du Vin in Bourg & Blaye, Bordeaux, Israeli wineries won four gold medals:

Barkan Pinotage 2001

Binyamina Muscat 2003

Recanati Special Reserve 2000

Saslove Aviv Red 2002

At Les Citadelles du Vin, the competition sometimes referred to as Vinexpo, the Golan Heights Winery won the two gold medals given for Israeli wines:

Yarden Katzrin Chardonnay 2002

Yarden Blanc de Blancs 1998

The Muscat du Monde competition awarded gold medals to:

Carmel Late Harvest Muscat of Alexandria 2000

Binyamina Muscat

It was encouraging this year that following the success of Saslove, who last year became the first boutique winery to receive a medal, smaller wineries are also beginning to succeed in wine tasting competitions.

Tzora Vineyards won two silver medals, at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) in London as did Yatir Winery, at Monde Selection in Brussels & IWSC.

As far as spirits & liqueurs are concerned, Carmel won two golds at the IWSC for:

Carmel 777 Brandy Orange

Sabra Liqueur (Orange Chocolate)

These competitions are amongst the more reputable. It is encouraging that Israel  not only won so many gold medals, but also that the award winners featured  such a wide range:  sparkling wines – white wines- red wines – desert wines - spirits & liqueurs ! This is evidence that Israel is producing a wide range of wine & spirits at the highest level!