Rogov’s Guide to Israeli Wines 2006 will be published on September 13^th 2005 with simultaneous launches in Tel Aviv, London & New York. The advertising poster reads: ‘Le Rogov Nouveau Est Arrivee’, illustrating the interest in the new edition of the book, first published last year.

This is the definitive guide of Israeli wines covering 140 wineries and detailed tasting notes of no less than 1,200 wines. The 2006 edition lists 20 more wineries than last year, a map, a tasting sheet and contact details for all the wineries.

There is no doubt that this book matches up to the very best country wine guides and is up to the standard of the very best like John Platter’s guide to South African wine. It is well presented, the information is accessible and it contains more information than anyone could possibly want to know about Israeli wines.

Tom Stevenson, author of the Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia & The Wine Report, wrote it is “ not only the most complete and up-to-date coverage of Israeli wines, with excellent notes on more than 1,000 wines, but it is very tastefully designed, and of extraordinarily high quality.”

Daniel Rogov is the main wine journalist in Israel. He writes for Ha’aretz newspaper & contributes to Tom Stevenson’s Wine Report and Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book. His influential website encourages an almost guru like following.

Rogov’s Guide to Israeli Wines bravely ranks Israeli wineries, which is of special interest to the consumer. His top ten wineries are as follows:

1. Golan Heights Winery
2. Castel
3. Flam
4. Margalit
5. Yatir
6. Galil Mountain
7. Saslove
8. Amphorae
9. Recanati
10. Carmel 

 Margalit & Galil Mountain have improved their placings in the top 10, Amphorae is down four places but held on to 8^th place. Both Yatir & Carmel are additions to these rankings, whilst Dalton & Tzora have dropped out.

The best ranked four ‘Up & Coming Producers’ are:

1. Clos de Gat
2. Chateau Golan
3. Ella Valley
4. Carmei – Yosef (Bravdo)

 Amongst the Ten Fastest Improving Producers:

1. Carmel
2. Barkan
3. Sea Horse
4. Tabor

 Rogov also ranks the best wines released in the last year.

There are very few complaints but few constructive comments:

It would help tourists if the position of the wineries was shown on the map and there are occasional inconsistencies between the winery rankings & the number of stars given to each winery. However these are minor quibbles. It is an outstanding book, which everyone in the Israeli wine industry should be proud of and a ‘must have’ for anyone even slightly interested in Israeli wine.

September 2005