The results of the three main British competitions were announced at the opening of the London Wine Trade Fair. Sadly Israel did not receive one gold medal, but did receive a healthy number of silver medals and a noticeably high percentage of the wines sent did receive medals. This would not be significant in many international competitions but as London is the wine center of the world and the English market the most competitive in the world, their competitions do have credibility. At each of these competitions a silver medal counts for something and Israel’s showing reflects strength in depth. The three competitions are as follows:

International Wine & Spirit Competition.

This is the oldest of the famous wine competitions and one of the only ones where there is also a laboratory analysis of the winning wines. It is associated with Harpers, a weekly magazine for the wine trade. The Israel contingent won the following silver medals, each considered ‘Best of Class’:

Alexander The Great 2004, Galilee

Carmel Appellation Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2005, Upper Galilee

Carmel Appellation Carignan, Old Vines 2005, Shomron

Carmel Appellation Petite Sirah, Old Vines 2005, Judean Hills

Carmel Kayoumi Shiraz 2004, Upper Galilee

Carmel Sha’al Gewurztraminer Late Harvest 2006, Galilee

Dalton Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Upper Galilee/Golan

Jonathan Tishbi Special Reserve 2004

Recanati Petit Syrah/ Zinfandel Reserve 2006, Galilee

Recanati Syrah Reserve 2005, Galilee

Yarden Chardonnay 2005, Galilee

Yarden Gewurztraminer 2007, Galilee

Yarden Merlot 2003, Galilee

International Wine Challenge

This is the largest international wine tasting competition in the world. It is associated with Wine & Spirits magazine. The only silver medal awarded for Israel was for:

Binyamina Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve 2005

 Decanter World Wine Awards

The third and youngest of the competitions is organized by Decanter, the leading British consumer wine magazine and really second only to the The Wine Spectator in reputation. The silver medals awarded to Israel were as follows:

Binyamina Ruby Syrah 2005, Galilee

Clos de Gat Harel Syrah 2005, Judean Hills

Ella Valley Chardonnay 2006, Judean Hills

Recanati Syrah Reserve 2005, Galilee

Yarden Viognier 2006, Galilee

Harpers, Wine & Spirit and Decanter, the publications behind these competitions, have each published recent features on Israeli wine. With a recent feature on CNN, an article in the Wine Spectator to come next month and articles in the New York Times and The Observer of London, there has been unprecedented coverage of Israel wine so far this year. All this following on from the Wine Advocate tasting of Israeli wine in December 2007.