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Maturing for 3000 years, now aged to perfection By: The results are just in… during the weekend of June 23rd-24th, 2007 more than 700 people came to the amazing Summerhill LCBO wine store in Toronto to enjoy an outstanding wine tasting event presenting several of the top Israeli boutique wines. Summerhill LCBO store Event hall entrance The Canadians had a unique opportunity not only to taste these great Israeli wines, but also to talk to the winemakers and winery-owners who gladly poured their wines and shared their stories. The Israeli winemakers/winery-owners that were part of this event were: Roy Itzhaki and Neta Mainz from Tulip Winery Ze’ev Dunie from Sea Horse Winery (Suson Yam) Barry Saslov from Saslov Winery Yair Marglit from Margalit winery Doron Belogolovsky and Sharona Paz-Belogolovsky from Vitkin winery On the left side of the table: Doron and Sharona Belogolovsky (Vikin) Yair Margalit, Barry Saslov and at the end of the Howard (B&W – Canadian importer) table Neta and Roy from Tulip Ze’ev Dunie near the The wines that were part of the tasting: Tulip - 2005 Just Cabernet Sauvignon (C$ 19.95) Sea Horse - 2003 Antoine Syrah (C$ 35.95) Saslove - 2004 Saslov Adom (C$ 29.95) Vitkin - 2005 Carignan and (C$ 19.95) 2006 Israeli Journey (white) (C$ 16.95) Margalit - 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (C$ 59.95) and 2004 Cabernet Franc (C$ 39.95) Yatir - 2003 Flam - 2005 Classico Red (C$ 27.95) The response we got from the visitors was overwhelmingly positive. As in other previous occasions in which Canadians tasted Israeli wines, we witnessed the typical surprised faces and the most common remark was – “wow… we didn’t know Many people showed interest in the technical aspects of the wine production such as which part of Vitkin was the only winery with white wine and they monopolized many Canadian white-wine fans that tasted and bought many bottles (their price was very competitive too) – they had tremendous success with their smooth and pleasant red Carignan as well. One of the better value-wines of this event was the Tulip Just Cabernet Sauvignon – it seemed to appeal to many of the visitors, both in quality as well as a great price point. Later this week, I was happy to hear that the famous Four Seasons Hotel in Yatir Forest and Margalit (especially the Cabernet Franc) got the attention of the serious wine lovers – the sophistication, complexity and the fact that these wines are age worthy caught the eyes of many Canadian wine collectors. Yatir, being the only Kosher wine in the event, was a big attraction to the local Jewish community. Even with the relatively high price (C$ ~50), it seemed as if there were no bottles left in the store (and that’s many bottles…) – Kol Ha’Kavod ! And then there was Sea Horse… Like many other wines from the talented Ze’ev Dunie, the Antoine is another unique and exciting experience; The comments I heard from a few people about Suson Yam’s Syrah were mainly around the fact that they would never have guessed it was a Syrah – Ze’ev Dunie’s Syrah is outstanding by any standard, and the Canadians recognized it very quickly. They complimented it for possessing such a very high quality and a very pleasant after-taste. Many bought the Syrah for themselves and for their best friends to “share the glory…” Flam’s and Saslov’s offerings were very exciting too – they seemed to be appealing to many of the Canadians’ palates. While buying these wines, many of these visitors also heard about the Reserve series both wineries have to offer, and they expressed their hope to see them soon in for an enthusiastic customer you couldn’t move around and take pictures… Howord at At one point I took a role of a host and shared the wonderful Yatir with the visitors. After a long and exciting first day, I had the pleasure to have the Israeli team for a nice and relaxed BBQ at my house. Everyone was exhausted yet very pleased from this extremely fulfilling and rewarding day. “Menuchat Lochamim”… At Gaby’s house: Top-left row: Yair Margalit, Roy Itzhaki, Neta Mainz, Zeev Dunie Bottom row from left: Gaby Lechaim ! Gaby. |
