Israel wines were presented to the world’s most discerning market in a day long tasting in London. Eighteen wineries gathered together at the prestigious Langham Hotel in London’s West End. The event was organized by The Israel Export Institute and The Israeli Embassy in London. It was the first ‘generic’ Israeli wine tasting to take place in England and followed on similar events held in Paris & Stockholm last year.

The wineries taking part in the day long tasting were:

Barkan Wine Cellars, Binyamina Winery, Carmel Winery, Dalton Winery, Galil Mountain Winery, Teperberg – Efrat Winery, Terres Saintes – Noa Winery, Yarden – Golan Heights Winery. They were joined by the following members of the consortium, Handcrafted Wines of Israel: Amphorae Vineyard, Bazelet ha Golan, Chillag Wine, Domaine du Castel, Hamasrek,  Margalit Winery, Saslove Winery, Tzora Vineyards & Yatir Winery.

Each winery had a stand situated around the perimeter of the ballroom. The following wines were put on a center table for serious tasters.

Sauvignon Blanc: Ramat Arad 2004, Carmel; Dalton 2004

Chardonnay: Hamasrek 2003; Teperberg Reserve 2003; Dalton Reserve 2003; Galil Mountain 2003; ‘C’ Blanc du Castel 2003; Yarden 2002, Golan Heights.

Pinot Noir: Galil Mountain 2002

Pinotage: Barkan Reserve 2002

Shiraz: Teperberg Selection 2004, Efrat; Binyamins Special Reserve 2003

Merlot: Binyamina Special Reserve 2002; Segal Galilee Heights 2000, Barkan; Dalton Reserve 2001

Cabernet Sauvignon: K By Saslove Mediterranean; Orna 2003, Chillag; Shoresh 2003, Tzora; Hamasrek 2003; Segal Galilee Heights, Barkan; Stone Hill 2003, Tzora; Teperberg Reserve 2002, Efrat; Zarit 2001, Carmel;  Barkan Reserve 2001;  Dalton Reserve 2001; Amphorae 2001; Bazelet ha Golan 2001; Yarden 2001, Golan Heights; Margalit 2001

Blends: Terres Saintes Jerusalem Heights 2001; Terres Saintes Machpela 2001; Terres Saintes Armageddon 2002; Teperberg Meritage 2003; Med Red 2003, Amphorae; Yiron 2001, Galil Mountain; Limited Edition 2002, Carmel; Grand Vin 2002, Castel; Yatir Cabernet Merlot 2001; Petit Castel 2003; Yatir Forest 2001;

Dessert Wines: Binyamina Gewurztraminer Special Reserve 2003; Hamasrek Gewurztraminer 2004; Binyamina Muscat Special Reserve ; Yarden Heights Wine 2002, Golan Heights

Sparkling Wine: Yarden Blanc de Blancs 1998, Golan Heights

The guests included every spectrum of the wine trade including buyers from the supermarkets like Waitrose, Sainsbury’s & wine stores like Oddbins; representatives from wine magazines like Decanter, Wine & Harpers; restauranteurs, wine lovers & connoisseurs. Most notable though was the presence of some of the most famous wine journalists in the U.K., including Jancis Robinson, Oz Clarke, Steven Spurrier, Charles Metcalfe & others. They each carefully tasted through all the wines, without comment, writing notes and spending time on each individual wine. All were pleasantly surprised by the new quality & variety of Israeli wines.

During the day, Brian Jordan conducted three seminars on Israeli wine during the day. Each one was well attended. Brian Jordan is a well known U.K. wine writer, who has visited Israel four times in the last 13 years. He knows the wineries & growing regions, and was therefore a suitable person to act as a consultant to The Export Institute in organizing the event. In answer to question at the seminars, he said: “ Israel has the highest average quality in the world after New Zealand.” He also described Israel as having perfect growing conditions for the production of quality wine.

The day was an opportunity for a number of new importers & distributors of Israeli wines to present themselves. These included Carmitas Wines Co. who represent Carmel and Handcrafted Wines of Israel; Yarden Food, who now represent wines from the Golan Heights Winery; wine.is import Galil Mountain & Dalton and Novum distribute Amphorae. The more established importers like Kedem Europe, who represent Barkan, were also there.

The Israel wine tasting was sponsored by Bank Leumi, with contributions from the Israel Diary Board , who provided cheeses. The day ended with a drinks party, hosted by The Israel Embassy for leaders of the local Jewish community. Michal Neeman, the executive of the Food & Beverage Division of the Israel Export Institute, said the event was a great success and confirmed that there would be further similar tastings in the future.

 March 2005