Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food & drink events.
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1) On Wednesday, January 17,  at 6:30pm, Legal Sea Foods in Park Square will host a wine dinner with the Israel Wine Producers Association which represents 30 Israeli wineries—from commercial to boutique — and was established to unify the leading quality Israeli wineries in a concerted effort to promote Israel as a ‘fine wine growing region’. Israel has been able to take their ancient history and blend it with the most modern technology to produce some of the finest wines available and become one of the fastest growing winemaking regions in the world.

Legal Sea Foods will team up with Joshua Greenstein, the Vice President of the Israel Wine Producers Association, to host an exclusive four-plus-course dinner featuring signature cuisine paired with his selections from Israel’s wines. The menu will be presented as follows:

HORS D’OEUVRES
Tuna Tartare, Cherry Tomato Cup
Smoked Salmon, Cucumber Barquette, Pickled Ginger
Lemon-Saffron Chicken Brochettes
Carmel “Kayoumi Vineyard” Riesling, Galilee, 2014
FIRST COURSE
Char-Broiled Mediterranean Salmon (mushroom quinoa salad)
Teperberg “Essence” Chardonnay, Samson, 2014
Castel “C” Chardonnay, Jerusalem, 2016
SECOND COURSE
Coconut-Curried Cornish Hen (cilantro rice, braised greens, winter squash, red onion jam)
Jezreel Valley Winery “Adumim,” Galilee, 2014
Psâgot “Edom” M Series, Jerusalem, 2014
Teperberg “Inspire” Meritage, Shomron, 2016
MAIN COURSE
Applewood-Grilled Rib-Eye Steak (barley and Brussels sprout risotto, wild mushroom tapenade)
Tulip Winery “Reserve” Syrah, Galilee, 2014
Yatir Forest, Judean Hills, 2013
DESSERT
Peach and Berry Cobbler (toasted walnuts, peach sorbet)
Mystery Wine

COST: $95 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)
MORE INFO: Reservation required by calling 617-530-9397

2) Earls Kitchen + Bar at the Prudential Center is gearing up to host their first New Year’s Eve celebration in the Back Bay while Boston’s “First Night” fireworks twinkle above. The three-season rooftop bar will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland-themed lounge where “ice” will play the counterpart to Boston’s hottest night of the year to socialize.

Beginning at 8pm, revelers will be treated to a welcome drink in an ice mug before indulging in an a la carte icy oyster bar or more sips through an ice luge. Groups of four-or-more also will be treated to table service, inclusive of various packages with bubbles and bivalves.

WHEN: Sunday, December 31, beginning at 8pm
COST: Individual tickets: $50 per person (includes welcome drink)
Table for-four people: $300 (includes round of welcome drinks, a bottle of sparkling wine and a dozen oysters)
Table for-six people: $500 (includes round of welcome drinks, two bottles of sparkling wine and a dozen oysters)
MORE INFO: Tickets and reserved table options are available for purchase by visiting www.earlsnye.eventbrite.com. Ticketholders must arrive prior to 10 pm for guaranteed entry.

3) Join TAMO Bistro + Bar at the Seaport Hotel for dinner, drinks and dancing on New Year’s Eve and ring in 2018 with specialty entrées, festive drinks, a DJ and party favors—the perfect evening for couples and groups alike.

TAMO’s daily menu will be offered in addition to New Year’s Eve specials from Chef Robert Tobin including a Grilled Ribeye (baked potato, gorgonzola crema, braised collard greens), Sea Bass Bouillabaisse (garlic anchovy crostini) and Beef Carpaccio (capers, pickled red onion, watercress, shaved parmesan, truffle oil). Later, guests can toast to the New Year with any of TAMO’s festive seasonal cocktails and “Sparklers” like the Kir Royale (Chateau St. Michelle Champagne, Chambord, raspberries) or Red & Green (Poema, Cava, pomegranate, mint).

Televisions will broadcast the infamous “ball drop” and a DJ will be spinning music from 9:00pm until 1:00am so guests can dance their way into 2018.

There is no ticket price or cover charge for the festivities and reservations for dinner can be made via OpenTable.

2017: Top Wines Over $50

What were some of my favorite wines of the past year?

Welcome to my third, and last, Top Wines List. I have already posted my Top Ten Wines Under $15 and Top Ten Wines Over $15. It is now time for my Top Wines Over $50. This isn't a Top Ten list as there aren't always sufficient wines at this price point that I've tasted and deemed worthy for inclusion. Like the prior lists, this list includes wines that not only did I enjoy, but which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out, for some particular reason, above the other wines at this price point that I have tasted this past year.

This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I highly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers will also enjoy.

The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these value wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local area, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws.

1) 2013 Katlav Cabernet Sauvignon ($70-$75)
From Israel, this wine, made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, possessed an alluring aroma of black fruit and spice. It was a more elegant, complex and subtle wine, which might have needed a little time to open up. However, its potential was clear, with such a fascinating depth of flavor, smooth tannins, a beautiful melange of flavors, and such a lengthy and satisfying finish. This is not an over-the-top wine, but still shines forth and I would have loved to spend an evening with this wine.

2) 2006 Quinta Vale d. Maria Douro Red (about $70)
This intriguing Portuguese red wine is a field blend of 40 indigenous grapes, the vines averaging about 60 years. This wine is usually aged for 20-22 months in 65%-75% new French oak. The wine has an excellent aging potential, at least twenty years, and it could age even longer. This 2006 wine was complex and delicious, with notes of black cherry, blackberry, ripe plum, a hint of eucalyptus, and a strong, spicy backbone. The tannins were restrained, being a very elegant wine, with a long and luxurious finish. Throughly impressive, this is the type of "wow" wine which will make you savor each compelling sip. This wine would probably be best paired with food, especially beef, wild boar, game meats or other hearty dishes.

3) Quinta Vale d. Maria 2007 Vintage Port
From the same Portuguese winery, this Port is made from a field blend of more than 25 indigenous grapes, from vines aged 25-60 years old. The wines are aged in ancient (more than 100 years old) oak and chestnut wood Port casks, as well as small stainless steel vats, for about 18 months. The color of this Port was rich and dark, with alluring aromas which will seduce you into sampling it. This Port was excellent, delicious and complex, with a nice freshness to it and plenty of primary fruit flavors, both red and black fruits, from cherry to plum. It was powerful though not overwhelming, well balanced and fascinating. I would love to taste this again with much more age on it.

4) 2010 Chapel Down Three Graces ($50)
Sparkling wine from England? Yes and there are plenty of reasons why excellent bubbly is now being produced in that country. The 2010 Chapel Down Three Graces is a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, and 7% Pinot Meunier. About 10% of this wine includes reserve wine from 2009, and there was a tiny bit of oak in that reserve wine. It was fermented in stainless steel, underwent 100% malolactic fermentation and spent about five years on the lees. It was disgorged a few months before release. With a 12% ABV, wine had a pleasing golden color, with lots of tiny bubbles as well as fruit notes on the nose with a touch of toast. It has a clean and crisp taste, with lots of freshness, and tasty apple flavors and hints of citrus, but with more brioche elements and a lengthy, pleasing finish. It is complex and elegant, delicious and intriguing.

5) 2007 Hugel Schoelhammer Riesling (about $140)
This famous Alsatian winery scored a major hit with this 100% Riesling, the first release which comes from the historic Schoelhammer vineyard. It took the winery 5-6 years to decide whether this wine should be bottled and sold or not. Then, it took another five years before they placed the wine on the market. It is a special, terroir-driven wine which should be able to age for one hundred years. This is an incredible wine, complex and beguiling, with sharp acidity, rich mineral notes, and some intriguing fruit flavors, including some green apple and lemon with a mild saline character. It is dry and full-bodied with a lingering finish that continues to please long after you swallow a sip. It is strong enough to stand up to pork but would be great with more subtle seafood as well.

6) 2009 Hugel Vendange Tardive Gewurtraminer (about $55)
Also from that same winery as the Riesling, this is a late harvest wine, produced from Gewurtraminer, from a great vintage. It's nose alone was complex and alluring, calling to you like a mythical Siren. It was certainly an impressive wine, lush and decadent, with a mild sweetness, balanced by its crisp acidity, and with a complex melange of concentrated flavors that will tantalize your palate. You'll find orange, apricot, cardamon spice, floral notes, herbal accents and much more. Try pairing this wine with Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, the famed Spanish ham from the black-footed pigs.

Alsace and Portugal are tied for first place, each occupying two spots, while Israel and Great Britain each occupy one spit. Of these six wines, there is 1 Sparkling Wine, 1 White wine, 2 Red wines, 1 Fortified wine, and 1 Dessert wine. Three of the wines were tasted at the Boston Wine Expo, an event where I often find a number of excellent wines.

Not all expensive wines are worth their high price but these wines well worth the splurge. These are the type of wines that words often cannot do justice. These are wines to experience and savor, not to dissect and analyze. These wines should be shared with others, with family and friends, to share the experience. With the holidays near, why not splurge and buy one of these wines.

If you have some of your own recommendations for unique and compelling wines over $50, please add them to the comments.

2017: Top Ten Wines Over $15 (But Under $50)

What were some of my favorite wines of the past year?

Welcome to my second Top Ten Wine List. Last week, I posted my Top Ten Wines Under $15, which I hope you enjoyed and found useful. Now it is time for my Top Ten Wines Over $15, though these wines also cost less than $50.

Like the prior list, this list includes wines that not only I enjoyed, but which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out, for some particular reason, above the other wines at this price point that I have tasted this past year.

This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I highly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers will also enjoy.

The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local area, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws. Please also note that this is technically a Top 12 list as three Sherries are tied at one spot.

1) Julien Brand La Bulle De L'Oueste Petillant Brut ($20.00)
A Sparkling Muscadet? This was my first such wine and it won't be the last. Made from 100% Melon de Bourgogne grape, this French wine is certified organic and was fermented by the Methode Ancestrale, also known as Pétillant-Naturel. It has a low 9.8% ABV, meaning you can have an extra glass without worrying much about getting too tipsy. As I raised the flute to my nose, visually delighted by the tiny bubbles, I was entranced with this wine, loving its appealing and intense aromas, such beautiful fruit with a wisp of the ocean. On the palate, there was lots of crisp acidity, delicious citrus notes, and a steely minerality with an herbal hint. It was fresh and tasty, each sip making you crave more. Highly recommended!

2) 2016 Vigneto Saetti Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce ($18.99)
This Italian Sparkling Lambrusco was produced from 100% Salamino di Santa Croce, from 40+ year old organic vines. The wine was a deep, almost purple color, with an alluring aroma of berries, violets, mild spices, and a hint of earthiness. On the palate, it has a creamy effervescence, with enticing, dry and juicy flavors of black cherry, raspberry, and ripe plum, with an underlying earthiness and mild spice notes. The tannins are well-integrated, the acidity is strong, and the finish is lengthy and pleasing. It was easy drinking but with plenty of complexity, the type of addictive wine which you'll likely finish the entire bottle before you know it.

3) 2011 Artevani Qvevri Aged Rkatsiteli ($30-$35)
One of the top three wines I enjoyed at the Boston Wine Expo, this Georgian wine is impressive on many levels. Artevani is a family-owned winery, seeking to produce more natural wines, reflective of terroir, and combining ancient traditions with modern technology. This wine is made from 100% Rkatsiteli, from seventy-year old vines, and is fermented in qvevri for about 24 days and then aged in qvevri for another 8-12 months. With a rich amber color, the wine presented with a fascinating aroma, an alluring mix of herbs, spices, and dried fruits. On the palate, I found a complex and intriguing melange of flavors and it was actually difficult to describe everything happening in my mouth. It was full bodied, with nice acidity, and a lengthy and satisfying finish. This is the type of wine you slowly savor, enjoying the new and surprising flavors you encounter with each sip.

4) 2016 Valdespino Ojo de Gallo Palomino Fino ($15.99)
This Spanish wine is made from 100% Palomino Fino, the grape usually used to produce Sherry, but the producer chose to make an unfortified version. The organically cultivated grapes are 20-25 years old. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts, and then it is aged for about 6 months on the fine lees. With a 12% ABV, it has a nice golden color and the nose reminded me immediately of a Fino Sherry. On the palate, it also was reminiscent of Fino Sherry with a bright salinity, citrus flavors, a strong minerality backbone and savory notes. It was crisp and very dry, with a lengthy and pleasing finish. It was fresh, elegant and complex, an intriguing wine that certainly shows the potential for Palomino Fino in unfortified, still wines.

5) 2014 Clos de Gilroy “Cuvée Particuliere" ($19.99)

Bonny Doon Vineyard, based in Santa Cruz, California, produces a fascinating range of intriguing and delicious wines. Another of my top three wines from the Boston Wine Expo was their 2014 Clos de Gilroy “Cuvée Particuliere", which is produced mainly from Grenache with a little bit of Mourvedre. It was more of an Old-World style wine, with bright red fruit flavors, some peppery notes and a mild earthiness. It was complex and intriguing, an elegant and delicious wine that calls out for lamb or wild boar, or a hearty Italian ragu. The wine easily seduced my palate and it was hard to refrain from draining the bottle on my own.

6) 2015 Metrick Mourvèdre ($31)
Alex Russan, with his Alexander Jules Sherries, has been on these prior lists multiple times and this year he earns a spot for his non-Sherry wines. His Metrick Wines explore the different wine regions of California and the 2015 Metrick Mourvèdre is a blend of 85% Mourvedre, 5% Marsanne, 5% Counoise, and 5% Syrah. The wine was fermented in 50% stainless steel and 50% concrete. 95% of the juice was free run, and it was then aged for about 11 months in concrete. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered, and has a 12% ABV. This wine was thoroughly impressive, a light bodied and savory elixir. A complex blend of herbs, olives and earthiness dominated the taste, with subtle hints of berry. It was so ethereal on the palate, with a compelling taste, including a lingering finish, which made me crave a second and third glass. I would pair this with an herbed, roast chicken or a mushroom risotto, or maybe a venison steak.

7) 2015 Alapiani Shavkapito ($25)
Another Georgian wine, I was thoroughly impressed with this wine produced from the indigenous Shavkapito grape which is even in Georgia. Its name means "vine with a black cane" and is said to be terroir-reflective. The grapes were sourced from a vineyard in the Okami village of the Shida Kartli region and the wine was fermented and aged in qvevri. With an alluring aroma of black fruit and herbs, the wine presented with a fascinating melange of flavors, including ripe plum, blackberry and black cherry, along with herbal accents, a smoky note, and a touch of spice. Lots of complexity, smooth tannins and a lengthy, pleasing finish.

8) 2016 1865 Pinot Noir ($18)
Finding excellent Pinot Noir for under $20 is difficult so I was extremely taken with this Chilean wine. Made from 100% Pinot Noir, from the El Platero Vineyard in the Valle Del Elqui, the wine was aged for about eight months in a combination of foudres, concrete eggs and barrels. With a 13.5% ABV, the wine has a light red color, and an alluring and complex nose of red fruits and touches of earth and spice. Those aromas will draw you in and you won't be disappointed once you taste it. The wine is elegant and light bodied, with a complex and fascinating melange of flavors, including bright red cherry, more subdued black cherry, subtle spice notes, and underlying hints of earthiness. There was excellent acidity, mineral notes, and a lingering, satisfying finish. It was well-balanced and compelling, reminding me in different ways to Burgundian Pinot as well as Oregonian Pinot, yet still with its own unique character.

9) 2013 Ktima Gerovassiliou Avaton ($47)
I love Greek wines and this is a killer wine, compelling and delicious. It is a blend of three indigenous Greek grapes, including 50% Limnio, 25% Mavrotragano & 20% Mavroudi. This wine is fermented and aged in French oak, has a 14% ABV, and has an inky dark red color, with an alluring aroma of black fruit, mild spice, and a touch of earthiness. On the palate, the wine is muscular and big, though it is still elegant and the tannins are well restrained. There are complex & rich flavors of ripe plum, black cherry, and blackberry, enhanced by a spicy backbone, good acidity, and a hint of herbs. It is delicious and well-balanced, with a lengthy, pleasing finish. It would be great paired with hearty dishes, from a grilled steak to a leg of lamb.

10) 2016 Rară Neagră de Purcari ($22-$23)
Another tasty wine from Moldova, this Rară Neagră de Purcari was impressive, luring me in from my first sniff of its compelling aroma. The wine is made from 100% Rară Neagră, was fermented in stainless steel, aged in French oak barriques and has a 14% ABV. The aroma is very savory, with black fruit accents and subtle spicy notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with soft tannins and good acidity. It presents an intriguing melange of bold flavors, ripe black fruit, spicy notes, hints of vanilla, and an almost meaty undertone. A lengthy finish completes this well balanced and delicious wine.

This is always my toughest list to compile because there are numerous other excellent wines which I could have added. I had to ponder long over which wines to actually select for the main list, meaning that I had to eliminate other worthy wines. To give some credit to those other worthy wines, which almost made the Top Ten list, I have an Honorable Mention list. These are also wines you definitely should check out.

Honorable Mention

1) 2015 Metrick Chardonnay ($36)
This Metrick Chardonnay is made with grapes from the Sierra Madre Vineyard, planted in 1971 and sustainably farmed, in the Santa Maria AVA. The wine was fermented in stainless steel and aged on the lees, in stainless, for about 11 months. It underwent malolactic fermentation, allowing it to be bottled unfiltered, and has a 12% ABV. I found this wine to be crisp and clean, with bright citrus notes and some minerality. There was some richness in the mouthfeel and it came across as elegant and delicious. I paired this wine with some stuffed clams and it was an excellent pairing. It was obvious that this Chardonnay would be perfect with seafood, from sushi to oysters.

2) 2015 Batono Qvevruli Tetri ($20)
This Georgian wine is an intriguing blend of three indigenous grapes, 40% Kisi, 40% Mtsvane and 20% Rkatsiteli. It was produced in both qvevri and oak, and was a fascinating and delicious wine with a unique melange of spice, dried fruit, herbal accents and a touch of eucalyptus. Each sip brought a new flavor combination to my palate and this is a very good value wine to savor and enjoy over time. This wine would work well with seafood dishes and roast chicken.

3) 2016 Alpha Estate Rosé ($19.99)
You should enjoy Rosé year-round and this Greek Rosé should please you. Made from 100% Xinomavro, it spent two months on the lees and has a 13% ABV. With a bright pink color, this wine has a delightful fruity nose and on the palate, it is crisp, dry and fruity, with tasty flavors of strawberry and cherry and subtle floral notes. It has a medium-body, with a lengthy, satisfying finish.  This would certainly be a food-versatile wine, from oysters to burgers, roasted chicken to pizza. Though sipping it on its own, while relaxing poolside, would be quite the pleasure as well.

4) 2013 Adega de Borba Reserve ($18-$19)
Another excellent value Portuguese wine, this is a blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Castelão and Alicante Bouschet. The wine spent about 12 months in French oak, and then another 6 months in the bottle. This is a delicious, complex wine and though it is also powerful in some respects, that power is restrained within a velvet glove, presenting a silky smooth taste. There are lush black fruit flavors, plenty of intriguing spice notes, and some exotic herbal accents. This is another wine which would benefit from pairing with meat dishes.

5) 2013 Vallegre Vinhas Velhas Reserva Especial (about $21)
Another tasty Portuguese wine, this is an intriguing blend of Tinta Amarela, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousão and Tinta Francisca, from 60+ year old vines. It presents as deep and dark, complex and smooth, spicy and tannic. Concentrated flavors of Rich ripe plum and flavors, with hints of chocolate and leather. A well-balanced wine with plenty of acidity and a lengthy, satisfying finish. So much going on in this wine, it is sure to impress.

6) 2015 Artevani Saperavi ($24)
The Georgian winery of Artevani also produced a compelling organic Saperavi, made from an old recipe and which sees no oak. With a dark red color, it presented with a fruity aroma, and a rich palate of red fruits with a hint of earthiness. It was smooth, with low tannins, good acidity, and a lengthy, pleasing finish. A wine that would pair well with plenty of different foods, from pizza to burgers.

7) 2011 Ktima Biblia Chora Biblinos ($35)
Another fascinating Greek wine, the Biblia Chora Biblinos is made from 100% of an unknown grape that was discovered on the slopes of Mount Pangeon. DNA testing couldn't identify the grape but it was able to verify that it was vitis vinifera, of Greek origin. Essentially this is a lost grape, one whose origins could extend back to the ancient Greeks, and it might never be identified. The wine was fermented in stainless steel and then aged in French oak for about 12 months. With a 14.5% ABV, the wine is inky dark in color with an interesting aroma of black fruit with some light floral notes, like wild violets. On the palate, there is an intriguing and complex melange of flavors, with ripe plum, blueberry and black cherry up front and leading to some spicy and savory notes, especially on the long and lingering finish. Good acidity, some rich voluptuousness up front, and well-integrated tannins. The savory aspect, hints of herbs and roast meat, was compelling and I was well enamored with this wine.

8) 2013 Ramat Negev Ramon Petit Verdot ($39.99)
This Israeli winery saw its origins back in 1997, with a desire to establish a winery that was based only on local produce. Their Petit Verdot, from a single vineyard, spent about 18 months in new French oak and then six months in the bottle. With a powerful spicy aroma, this wine is deep and dark but with restrained tannins. It possesses juicy blackberry and plum flavors with a touch of blueberry, a spicy aspect, and a lengthy, pleasing finish. This is a wine that is probably best paired with food and it should also impress many wine lovers.

9) 2015 Survivor Pinotage ($18-$20)
This South African wine is made from 100% Pinotage and it was aged in 95% French and 5% American oak for about 18 months. Pinotage can be a divisive grape but I've always been a fan, and this example was compelling. I found it to be smoky and spicy, with deep flavors of plum and black cherry, with hints of vanilla, spice and bacon. The tannins were well integrated, it had a lengthy finish, and would be an excellent accompaniment with lamb, steak, or other roasted meats.

10) 2014 Enderle & Moll Basis Pinot Noir ($30)
Pinot Noir is probably not something you think of much when you consider German wines but maybe you should based on this fine example. It has only an 11.5% ABV, an amazingly low alcohol level compared to most other Pinot Noirs. This wine has a very light red color and on the nose, its present an alluring scent of cherry, mild spice and a touch of earthiness. On the palate, you'll be impressed with its elegance and complexity, its bright acidity and delightful flavors of red fruit, spice notes, earthy elements and a touch of herbs. With a lengthy and pleasing finish, this is a killer Pinot, one that can easily compete with Pinots from any other region. It seems like a wine reflective of place, and it was easy to finish the bottle over the course of an evening.

Summary

Eight countries made the list this year, as opposed to seven last year. Georgia and California occupy the most spots on my Top Ten list, each with two spots. The rest of the list is occupied by France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Greece, and Moldova. The list is also broken down into two Sparkling Wines, two White wines, one Rosé, & five Reds.

On the Honorable Mention list, seven countries made the list and Georgia, Greece and Portugal occupy the most places, each with two spots. The other regions include California, Israel, South Africa and Germany. The list is also broken down into two Whites, one Rosé, & seven Reds.

When you combine the two lists, Georgia is in first place with four spots while California and Greece are tied for second place with three spots each. Portugal has two spots while France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Moldova, Israel, South Africa and Germany all have only one spot. In addition, you'll find two Sparkling Wines, four White wines, two Rosé, & twelve Reds. Eight of the wines on these lists were tasted at the Boston Wine Expo.

I have plenty of other recommendations for wines at this price point on my blog. There are top notch wines from countries all over the world, made from an incredibly diverse selection of grapes and you can still find plenty of values too. My advice is that you seek out wines outside of your comfort zone. Explore the multitude of diversity in the wonderful world of wine. Taste and try anything new, unique or potentially interesting. I am sure your search will lead to new favorites.

If you have some of your own recommendations for wines that are over $15 but under $50, please add them to the comments.

2013 Psagot’s Edom: Nectar of Israel

Israeli wines suffer from an image problem, and many wine stores contribute to this issue though it probably isn't a conscious intent. Many consumers equate Israeli wines with only Kosher wines, so they will choose to ignore Israeli wines unless they are actively seeking a Kosher wine. Many wine stores separate their wines by country or region, such as France or California. Yet when it comes to Israeli wines, these same stores generally don't have an "Israel" section but they have a "Kosher" section," where all the Israeli wines are placed. So why wouldn't an uninformed consumer consider all Israeli wines to be Kosher?

Although many Israeli wines are Kosher, recent years have seen a surge of Israeli wines, especially produced by boutique wineries, imported into the U.S. which are not Kosher. These wines are worthy of being placed in their own regional section, and not hidden in a wine store under the Kosher label. I've tasted a number of these wines, finding many to be high quality and delicious. It is time consumers learned more about these Israeli wines. It is also time that wine lovers embraced quality Kosher wines just because they are tasty wines.

Wine making in Israeli extends back to biblical times but when Muslims eventually took control of the region, winemaking took a serious hit, especially when Muslims tore up many of the vines, destroying the indigenous grapes of the region. It wasn't until the late 19th century that winemaking returned, due to the efforts of Baron Edmond de Rothschild and Sir Moses Montefiore. It isn't a surprise that they planted French varietals in Israel, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Chardonnay. It is those type of grapes which still dominate in the vineyards of Israel.

Na’ama & Yaakov Berg planted some vineyards in 1998, founding the Psagot Winery in 2003. The term "Psagot" translates in Hebrew as "peaks" and also refers to an Israeli settlement, in the West Bank, located on Mount Tawil. This settlement was established in 1981, receiving its name not only because it was located near the peak of the mountain, but also because the settlement was intended to reach a "peak" in settlement and the study of the Torah. The winery is located in this region, with a fantastic view of the Wadi Kelt and the Edom mountains. There are also several other wineries in this region.

One of the more unique aspects of the Psagot winery is that they have two barrel storage cellars, one which is a more modern version, and the other which is in a cave that dates back to the Second Temple era (530 BEC-70 CE). This cave was found to contain some ancient winemaking equipment. The replica coin depicted on their wine label is a copy of an actual coin (from 66 CE-73 CE) that was found when they were excavating the cave. The cave maintains a 90% humidity and temperatures up to 18 degrees Celsius.

Currently, the wine produces about 10 different types of wine, with a total annual production of approximately 300,000 bottles, exporting about 65% of that production. They produce a number of single varietal wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Shiraz and Chardonnay, as well as a Bordeaux blend and a Port-style wine.

I received a media sample of their Bordeaux blend, the 2013 Psagot’s Edom ($35), which is a blend of 63% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. The wine was fermented in stainless steel and then underwent malolactic fermentation in French and American oak barrels. It was finally matured in French and American oak for about 14 months.

The wine possesses a deep red (almost purple) color, and an appealing nose of dark berries and mild spice. On the palate, it is a full-bodied wine with smooth, well-integrated tannins, and lush, enticing flavors. There are rich flavors of ripe plum, blackberry and black cherry, accented by intriguing spice notes, hints of vanilla, and a touch of minerality. This well-balanced and complex wine drinks easily and ends with a lengthy, satisfying finish. Though you could enjoy this wine on its own, it also would pair well with hearty foods, from roast lamb to a pasta Bolognese. I enjoyed this wine with grilled burgers and it worked well together.

For those concerned with such matters, this wine is Kosher, but I hope most people see this as an Israeli wine and not just a Kosher wine. This is a wine that most wine lovers would enjoy and which deserves a place on their table. As people begin to start drinking more full-bodied reds as the temperatures drop this fall, the 2013 Psagot Edom would be an excellent choice!

Boston Wine Expo: Wines of Israel

I started my wine sampling at the Grand Tasting of the Boston Wine Expo on Saturday at the King David Wines table, which is an importer and distributor of Israeli wines, all of which are Kosher. It was fortunate that my first tasting of the Expo ended up including a number of excellent wines. Israel produces some high quality wines and I've previously written a few articles about those wines. I recommend that you taste Israeli wines and find out why I am a fan.

The Ramat Negev Winery saw its origins back in 1997, with a desire to establish a winery that was based only on local produce. The owners planted 2.47 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon on their estate located near the Kadesh Barnea village, eventually naming the winery after the village. In time though, they decided to rename the winery, to the Ramat Negev Winery. "The name came from the desire to express the unique growing lands´ grapevines in Ramat Hanegev, while representing the entire Ramat Hanegev area." The winery is still small, producing only about 80,000 bottles annually.

The 2016 Ramat Negev Sauvignon Blanc was aromatic, with crisp and tasty flavors of grapefruit and pineapple. Easy drinking, fresh and fun. The 2016 Ramat Negev Kadesh Barnea Rosé, made from 100% Cabernet Franc, was also fresh, crisp and delicious. It is dry with pleasing red berry flavors and a hint of peach.

The 2015 Ramat Negev Kadesh Barnea Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.99) is aged for about ten months in mostly new American oak and then spends three months in the bottle. With an alluring aroma, the wine presents with a smooth taste, restrained tannins, and tasty flavors of cherry and plum, raspberry and blackberry with some spicy undertones, including vanilla. You could enjoy this wine on its own or pair it with a hearty dish.

My favorite from their portfolio was the 2013 Ramat Negev Ramon Petit Verdot ($39.99), from a  single vineyard, and I was told that Petit Verdot grows very well in Israel. The wine spent about 18 months in new French oak and then six months in the bottle. With a powerful spicy aroma, this wine is deep and dark but with restrained tannins. It possesses juicy blackberry and plum flavors with a touch of blueberry, a spicy aspect, and a lengthy, pleasing finish. This is a wine that is probably best paired with food and it should also impress many wine lovers. Highly recommended.

In 2007, Elad Movshoviz established Shokek Winery in Sussya in the southern Judean Hills, at an altitude of over 880 meters. In 2016, Elad decided to change the name of the winery to Drimia Winery. It is a tiny winery, producing only about 12,000 bottles annually, and they also produce only   four grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Petit Verdot. The 2012 Drimia Cabernet Sauvignon ($34.99) is also a deep and dark wine, powerful but restrained, with prominent black fruit flavors, a spicy streak, and a hint of eucalyptus taste. It is complex and delicious, with a lengthy finish, good acidity, and a nice balance. A very good wine, I will have to seek out their Petit Verdot.

Katlav Winery, located in Nes Harim, was founded in 1998 by Yossi Yitach, an architect by profession. The 2012 Katlav Wedi Katlav ($44.99) is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Syrah which spent 18 months in French oak. It is a big and muscular wine, though the tannins don't overwhelm the wine. There are pleasing flavors of black cherry and plum, with lots of spicy notes, and hints of licorice. With its complexity, good acidity, and lingering finish, it delivers a quality wine. I am intrigued how this wine will taste with several years of aging.

Katlav then thoroughly impressed me with their 2013 Katlav Cabernet Sauvignon ($70-$75), which spent 36 months in French oak. With an alluring aroma of black fruit and spice, this was a more elegant, complex and subtle wine, which might have needed a little time to open up. However, its potential was clear, with such a fascinating depth of flavor, smooth tannins, a beautiful melange of flavors, and such a lengthy and satisfying finish. This is not an over-the-top wine, but still shines forth and I would have loved to spend an evening with this wine. Despite its high price, I still highly recommend it as it is well worth its cost.

What Israeli wines have you enjoyed recently?

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food & drink events.
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1) Bistro Duet is now open and offers guests a modern French dining experience in one of Arlington's most iconic buildings--the former Arlington Five Cent Savings Bank. Bistro Duet reunites InterContinental Hotel, Boston alumnae Cyrille Couet and Wayne Duprey.

"Bistro Duet will celebrate the uniqueness of the iconic bank space while offering contemporary French food and drink in an casually elegant neighborhood environment," says Co-Owner and General Manager Wayne Duprey.

Executive Chef and Co-Owner Cyrille Couet is from Frances's Loire Valley, where he began cooking in his uncle’s restaurant at the age of thirteen. Chef Couet's international career has taken him across Europe, the West Indies and the United States. Chef Cyrille was the inaugural chef of Miel Brasserie at the InterContinental, Boston where he worked alongside with Bistro Duet co-owner Wayne Duprey. Chef Couet, most recently, was the executive chef at the Questrom School of Business at Boston University.

A native of Dracut, Massachusetts, Bistro Duet co-owner Wayne Duprey will act as general manager. Wayne has managed restaurant and bar operations in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Most recently, he was the assistant director of food and beverage at the Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Previously, he was Director of Bars at the InterContinental, Boston.

Bistro Duet is a 110-seat restaurant with private dining options. Adjacent to the dining room, the Bistro Duet bar will feature hard-to-find French herbal liqueurs and a selection of locally distilled spirits and regional craft beers. Beverage Operations will be supervised by Wember Castillo, most recently from Oak Long Bar + Kitchen and also formerly of Rumba at the InterContinental, Boston.

Messieurs Couet and Duprey have assembled a menu designed to appeal to all palates and pocketbooks. Whether you want to dine casually in the bar lounge side of the restaurant or with more formality in the gorgeous dining room, Bistro Duet will serve you the finest modern French cuisine, seasonally and regionally sourced.

2) On Wednesday, January 25, from 6:30pm-9pm, Civic Kitchen & Drink is hosting its first annual Robert Burns Scotch Dinner to pay tribute to one of Scotland's finest on his birthday, Robert Burns! Widely known as the national poet laureate of Scotland, Burns dinners are held on this day all around the world with whisky, poetry, haggis...and kilts.

Civic Kitchen & Drink just opened in 2016. Chef Rick Araujo and GM/Beverage Director Sarah Lee create memorable food and beverage pairings that are worth the drive. This dinner may be the most memorable yet as they celebrate their love for Robert Burns & Scotch.

“We are excited to put our own spin on traditional Scottish foods, because, well, haggis!!” shares Araujo. The team at Civic Kitchen & Drink is working closely with Special Guest and Whiskey Expert Charles Tower, of Lost Distilleries and Julio's Liquors. The dinner will feature classic and New World scotches paired with dishes created by Araujo and his team.

“We are excited to host this amazing tradition and we anticipate a sold-out night” says Lee. “What more could you want? A night of Scotch, Poetry, Amazing Food, and yes, I’ve heard there may be kilts!”

Cost: $69 per person
For Reservations, please call 508-329-5142

3) Posto will be celebrating this Valentine’s Day with a prix fixe, three-course menu for $50 per person. In addition to the prix fixe menu, guests may also choose to order from a selection of favorite items from Posto’s regular menu.

The prix fixe menu will include:
Primi Piatti
--Cotuit Oysters with preserved kumquat, arbol chilies, and thyme
--Lobster Bisque with sweet potato, crème fraiche, and chives
--Black Truffle Mac ‘n Cheese with gruyere fondutta, elbow macaroni, and parmesan bread crumbs
Secondi Piatti
--Duck Tortellini with braised duck leg, goat cheese, cherries, and thyme
--Fig Risotto with thyme, black mission figs, and parmesan
--Cauciucco with saffron, clams, mussels, shrimp, cod, and monkfish
Dolci
--L’ Opera Cake: almond sponge cake with amaretto cream and chocolate ganache
--Vanilla Panna Cotta with fresh berries and blood orange sciroppo

For Reservations, please call 617-625-0600

4) Alas, Chocolee Chocolates shuttered its acclaimed retail shop on Dartmouth Street in 2014, but chocolatier Lee Napoli -- whose expertise in all things sweet is legendary in this city -- continues her legacy by sharing her chocolate-making knowledge in a spacious South End classroom on Saturday afternoons at 2:00 p.m.

Classes size is limited, and instruction includes:
- tempering high quality chocolate
- making toasted chocolate almond bark
- mixing the perfect ganache
- learning to scoop, roll, dip and decorate truffles
- the secret of chocolate beignets (hot fried dough filled with chocolate)

At the end of the 2 ½ hour class, each student goes home with a 1 lb. box of assorted candies they’ve made themselves.

Cost: Chocolate classes are usually $150 per person but from now until the end of March, Ms. Napoli is offering a $50.00 discount, bringing the cost of this unique weekend activity to only $100.

Class registration is available by emailing: chocoleechocolates@gmail.com

5) Owners Filipo and Phil Frattaroli, Guest Chef Antonella Santacroce, and the rest of the Lucia Ristorante team invite guest to join them for a special, prix fixe “From Abruzzo with Love” dinner, on Monday, February 6, from 6pm-9pm,  to benefit the Central Italy Earthquake Relief Fund. To better accomodate a larger number of guests, this dinner will be held at Filippo Ristorante.

The North End's Lucia Ristorante will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and to kick off the festivities, it will host this prix fixe dinner with special guest chef Antonella Santacroce. Hailing from Sulmona, Italy in the Abruzzo region, Chef Santacroce will delight guests with a multi-course menu showcasing Abruzzese cuisine. The seated dinner will include menu items such as: polenta Ovidiana with sausage; buccatini all’ Amatriciana with Pecorino cheese and guanciale; and porchetta. Lucia’s house red and white wines will be served alongside the meal.

Tickets cost $100, not including tax and gratuity, and can be purchased by calling (617) 742-4142.

6) The Beehive, located in Boston’s South End, will indulge lovers with “Spread The Love”- a 10 day-long celebration featuring Valentine’s Day inspired dishes from Executive Chef Gregory Torrech, drink specials, and live jazz and soul performances.

On Tuesday, February 14, guests can enjoy a special prix fixe dinner menu for just $69 per person, but why limit the love to one day? Guests can enjoy the luxe Valentine’s Day menu as a la carte specials that will be served in addition to the regular menu on Friday, February 10 through Sunday, February 19. The Beehive will also be serving a lover’s weekend brunch on Saturday, February 11 and 18 and Sunday February 12 and 19 from 10AM-3PM.

All week long guests can get in the mood with romantic live music and one of The Beehive’s Valentine’s Day drink specials. Wine enthusiasts will appreciate The Beehive’s extensive wine list featuring exceptional sparkling and reserve wines.

Reservations are highly recommended by calling 617-423-0069

7) On Thursday, February 9, at 6pm, Davio's Lynnfield will host a culinary wine tour of Merriam Vineyards in Sonoma County. Taste along with winemaker Peter Merriam, from one the most respected vineyards in the country. Designed for oenophiles of all levels, the four-course dinner with wine pairings will feature regionally inspired foods prepared by Executive Chef Danny Levesque
.

WINE DINNER MENU
Benvenuto
Mini Kobe Beef Meatballs
Warm Brie, Figs, Crostini
Tuna Tartare, Sesame, Cucumber
Philly Cheese Steak Spring Rolls®, Spicy Ketchup, Spicy Mayo
2014 Davio’s Reserve Chardonnay
2013 Davio’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Antipasto
Chilled Oysters, Shrimp, Lobster, Mussels, Cocktail Sauce, Mustard Sauce
2015 Merriam Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc
Farinaceo
Duck Confit Ravioli, Cipollini, Bacon, Pink Peppercorns
2011 Merriam Vineyards, Cabernet Franc
Piatto Del Giorno
Slow Roasted Brandt Beef Ribeye, Skillet Potatoes, Baby Carrots, Cabernet Au Jus
2007 Merriam Vineyards, Miktos, Cabernet Sauvignon
Dolce
Seven Layer Lemon Cake, Fresh Berries, Raspberry Coulis
2013 Merriam Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

COST: $95 per person (excluding tax and gratuity).
Tickets are required. Please visit http://davios.com/lynnfield/events/merriam-wine-dinner-0 or call 781-944-4810

8) On Thursday, February 9, at 6:30pm, Legal Sea Foods in Park Square will host a wine dinner with selections from Tulip Winery. Established in 2003 by the Itzhaki family, Tulip is the largest boutique winery in Israel that produces approximately 220,000 bottles annually. The Winery, which integrates the production of quality wines with social responsibility, is located on a mountainside in Kfar Tikva (Village of Hope), a small pastoral settlement whose population consists of people with special needs. The Winery aspires to enable members of the community to develop and realize their potential. The noteworthy fusion of the community’s vision and the Itzhaki's desire to produce wine gave rise to an exciting model of a wine industry that employs the community members and offers them a business platform to integrate into the workforce just like in mainstream society.

I have tasted several of the wines from the Tulip Winery and were impressed with their quality. In addition, Tulip has a great story and is very socially responsible. This should be a delicious and informative dinner.

Legal Sea Foods will team up with winemaker, David Bar-Ilan, to host a four-plus-course dinner featuring signature cuisine paired with his selections from the Tulip Winery vine. The menu will be presented as follows:

HORS D’OEUVRES
Bluefish Pâté, Grilled Toast Points
Grey Sole Tiradito, Yuzu & Aji Sea Salt
Smoked Salmon*, Brioche, Caper Relish
Tulip Winery “White Tulip,” Galilee, 2014
FIRST COURSE
Cedar Plank Haddock (cilantro rice, salsa Veracruzana)
Tulip Winery “Tulip Espero,” Galilee, 2013
SECOND COURSE
Blackened Faroe Island Salmon (spaghetti squash caponata)
Tulip Winery Syrah “Reserve,” Galilee, 2013
MAIN COURSE
Grilled Spiced Beef Tenderloin (wild rice, tomato romesco)
Tulip Winery Cabernet Sauvignon “Reserve,” Galilee, 2013
DESSERT
Poached Red Pear & Brillat-Savarin Cheese (honeyed walnuts, lemon zest, cinnamon)
Tulip Winery “White Franc,” Judean Hills, 2014

COST: $85 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)
Reservation required by calling 617-530-9397

9) Chef/Owner Michael Schlow, Chef de Cuisine Brendan Pelley, and the Doretta Taverna team invite guests to join them to experience for exciting events and menu changes taking place at Doretta under the leadership of Doretta’s newly appointed Chef de Cuisine Brendan Pelley. Starting the year off on a delicious note, 2017’s must notable happenings include:

Dollar Oyster Opa Hours:
Happy hour has taken on a whole new meaning at Doretta’s “Opa Hour!” Monday through Friday, from 4 to 6 p.m. and from 9 to close, Doretta is offering $1 oysters at the bar. The oyster offerings will include a variety of three, different oysters that will rotate daily. Past featured oysters have included Hama Hamas, Aunt Dotty’s, Moonshoal’s, Chatham’s, Pemaquid’s, Howland’s Landing, Crowes Pasture, and Johns River.

Date Night Prix Fixe:
Join Doretta every Sunday through Tuesday night for its new Date Night Menu! For just $50 for two people, guests can enjoy a feast of spreads, choice of several mezze plates, and a Greek dessert platter to end the evening. A special wine list will also be available exclusively just for date night.

Winter Cocktails:
Doretta has just rolled out its new, winter cocktail list featuring libations such as Adriatico with ouzo, lavender, and cassis, as well as a Greek spin on the classic hot toddy made with brandy, lemon, Tentura, and honey. Whimsical, creative cocktails with name like Grey Eyes, Socratic Method, and Achilles’ Heel will have guests savoring every last drop.

Lunch on the Fly:
Need to get back to the office in time for that 1 o’clock meeting? Doretta has got you covered! For just $25 guests can enjoy Doretta’s infamous village salad, choose from one of Doretta’s three open-faced pitas (lamb, chicken souvlaki and falafel) and a beverage (Have you ever had a Greek Frappe before?) with speedy, expedited service. Doretta serves lunch Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m

Local Sourcing:
Chef Brendan Pelley has established and nurtured his relationships with several foragers and mushroom growers, as well as herbs from his friends at Eva’s Garden to ensure Doretta’s food is only source from the very best purveyors. Among others. Doretta continues to work closely with oyster farmer Jeremey Scheffer from Spearpoint Oysters out of Martha’s Vineyard and Sky 8 Shrimp Farm.

Chef’s Table:
Doretta’s unique Chef's Table is the heart and soul of the restaurant’s bustling kitchen. Situated right in the kitchen on the lower floor, the long wooden farm table can accommodate up to 12 guests for a completely private dining experience. Doretta’s chefs will interact with guests to create a special menu while the party’s dedicated server will curate optional wine pairings. The Chef's Table is the perfect place for a whimsical Greek feast!

New Dishes:
Doretta is excited to have recently unveiled a variety of creative new dishes to the menu! Favorites include Saganaki “Fondue” with Kefalograviera, pickled cranberries, Szechuan peppercorn, and metaxa; Housemade “Hilopites” Pasta with stewed rabbit, cinnamon, chili, and kefalotiri; Vegetable Crudité with pistachio skordalia; and Ouzo-Cured Arctic Char with pickled caper leaf, dill, and pepperoncini.

10) The Light Foundation is “moving the chains” by raffling off a chance for two lucky fans and their guests to sit VIP style for the AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 22.

Former New England Patriots Offensive Lineman and three-time Super Bowl Champion Matt Light is raffling off the second installment of the Playoff Series Raffle, with the “O-Line Edition” playoff package to support his longtime nonprofit, the Light Foundation. A portion of the proceeds will also go to the “Taste of the NFL,” to benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank.

Two winners will each bring a guest to sit in a luxury suite at Gillette Stadium for the Patriots vs. Steelers game on January 22nd, following a Dinner at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse at Patriot Place, with Light and a few special guests – former O-linemen Joe Andruzzi, Russ Hochstein and Dan Koppen. Then they’ll head to the stadium where they will sit in the Energi suite to watch the Patriots take on the Steelers in the AFC Championship game. The prize package also comes with an overnight at the Courtyard Marriott in nearby Norwood, a stipend (up to $200 for each group) for transportation to and from the game and a couple of signed helmets from your special O-line dinner guests, and current Patriots players.

Raffle tickets are $1 each at www.playoffraffle.org. Raffle proceeds will benefit the Light Foundation, to assist at-risk kids from all over the country in staying on track and becoming leaders in their own communities.

The O-Line Edition Raffle Package includes:
 · (2) tickets to the Energi suite for the January 22nd Patriots vs. Steelers AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium to watch the game with Matt Light
 · Hotel accommodations for (2) at The Courtyard Marriott in nearby Norwood, for night of Saturday, January 22nd
 · Pre-game dinner at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse at Patriot Place with Matt Light, Joe ANdruzzi, Russ Hochstein and Dan Koppen on January 22nd
 · Travel stipend for transportation from hotel to Patriot Place and back before and after game
 *2 packages are available – 2 winners will be drawn when the raffle closes*

WHERE: Raffle tickets are $1 each available at: www.playoffraffle.org
WHEN: Raffle Entry Deadline: Friday, January 20, at 2:00p.m. EST (Winners are picked soon after the deadline)

2009: Top Ten Wines Over $50

Welcome to my third, and last, Top Ten Wine List. I have already posted my Top Ten Wines Under $15 and Top Ten Wines Over $15. It is now time for my Top Ten Wines Over $50.

Like the prior lists, it includes wines that during the past year I have both enjoyed very much and which I found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They stand out for some particular reason above the other wines I tasted this past year. Each wine on this list is linked to my more detailed prior review.

The wines are not listed in any particular order and all are definitely worth your consideration. These are not every day wines, but those worth a splurge, those for special celebrations. These are intriguing wines for wine lovers who want to amaze their palates. Please note that the actual price of the wine may vary in your area.

1. 2006 Margalit Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Israel ($90)
An exquisite and hedonistic wine which also shows that Israel can make wines comparable to high-end Bordeaux.

2. 2005 Albino Armani Casetta Vallagarina "Foja Tonda", Italy ($56)
Made from the rare Casetta grape, this reminded me of a fine Burgundian Pinot Noir.

3. 2005 Col Solare, Washington ($59.99)
An amazing Cabernet which is more French than California in style. Silk smooth with lots of complexity.

4. 1964 Gonzalez Byass Vintage Oloroso Sherry, Spain ($95)
A rare vintage sherry, it was mellow and smooth with an intriguing blend of delicious flavors with a finish I never wanted to end.

5. 2005 Vodopivec Vitovska Classica, Italy ($64.99)
Made from a grape new to me, Vitovska, and made in an amphora, this white wine is fascinating and a wine geek's dream.

6. Boyden Valley Vermont Ice Red, Vermont ($65)
Made from Frontenac, a hybrid grape, this is an exceptional ice wine, one of the best I have tasted in a long time.

7. 1985 Antonio Cerri Boca DOC, Italy ($58)
A rare Nebbiolo wine from a tiny region of Italy, which still has plenty of life and is reminescent of a fine Burgundy.

8. 2003 Massa Vecchia Querciola, Italy ($67)
An organic Tuscan wine, a Sangiovese blend, with a sublime taste, which evolves over time.

9. Gaston Chiquet Brut Tradition, France ($53.99)
A Grower's Champagne that is predominantly Pinot Meunier, giving it a more exotic taste.

10. 2003 Sean Thackrey Andromeda, California ($80)
From one of my favorite wine makers, this is not your typical Pinot Noir, a reflection of the eccentric genius of the wine maker.

Once again, Italy dominates with four wines on this list. I don't think there is any particular reason for this except that Italy is producing many fascinating, quality wines. There are three U.S. wines yet only one is from California, and it is not your typical California wine. The other two include a local wine, from Vermont, and one from Washington.

Like my Over $15 List, this list is diverse, with Sparkling Wine, White, Red, Sherry and Dessert Wines. There are intriguing wines being produced in all varieties and styles.

If you have some of your own recommendations, please add them to the comments.

Golan Heights Winery & Galil Mountain Winery

The first wine table I visited at the UNLVino grand tasting showcased some of the wines of the Golan Heights Winery, an Israeli winery which was established in 1983. I stopped here because my recent experiences with Israeli wines have been very positive and I wanted to try more of their wines.

The Golan Heights Winery is located in the small town of Katzrin, high up on the Golan Heights. They produce wines under a number of labels, including Yarden, Gamla and Golan. The winery is currently owned by 4 kibbutzes and 4 moshavs. The chief winemaker is Victor Schoenfeld, a graduate of the University of California at Davis. They also have a special microwinery for experimental winemaking, to stay on top of the latest scientific advances in winemaking and grape growing techniques.

Here are my favorites from the table.


The 2007 Yarden Mount Hermon White (about $15) is a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc with a bit of Semillon. The vineyards for these grapes are located in the located in the cool northern Golan Heights. This wine was fermented in stainless steel to preserve the fruit flavors. I liked the nice citrus flavors of this wine, with plenty of grapefruit, lemon, and peach. There were no grassy flavors in this crisp, summery wine. An easy drinking wine, this would be a great wine while sitting out this summer.

The 2003 Yarden Syrah (about $20) is made from 100% Syrah and the grapes comes from three different vineyards: Ortal in the northern Golan, and Allone Habashan and Tel Phares in the central Golan. The wine was aged for eighteen months in small French oak barrels. This light colored red wine had a fruity nose, lots of cherry aromas. On the palate, it was a dry and tannic wine, with flavors of cherry, blueberry, and an intriguing earthiness. It had a lengthy finish, with more earthiness, reminding me a bit of some French Rhones. Would make for a nice BBQ wine.

The 2007 Golan Sion Creek White (about $12) is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, White Riesling, Gewurztraminer and a little Muscat. The vineyards for these grapes are located in the located in the cool northern Golan Heights. This wine was fermented in stainless steel to preserve the fruit flavors. This wine had an interesting mix of flavors, some tropical fruits, spices, melon, and apple. It has a touch of sweetness to it that would make the wine pair well with spicy foods. A very good value for the price.


The Galil Mountain Winery is a joint venture, formed in 2000, of the Golan Heights Winery and Kibbutz Yiron, which is located in the mountains of the Upper Galilee. The mountains of this region are among the highest in Israel, some climbing to over 1,000 meters. They have five different vineyards in these mountains, most are which are planted with red grapes.

I got to taste and really enjoyed their 2006 Galil Mountain Shiraz Cabernet (about $20) which is a blend of 51% Shiraz and 49% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine underwent full malolactic fermentation and spent 10 months in American oak. This dark red wine had a compelling smell of dark red fruits and spice. On the palate, there were dominant tastes of blueberry, raspberry, and plum with spicy undertones, especially a light touch of cinammon. It had a lengthy finish, some nice complexity and mild tannins. Another very good BBQ wine.

These wines showed me that Israel does have some good value wines, wines $20 and under, which possess character and excellent flavor. I was also pleased to see that the table did not emphasize "kosher" but rather discussed only the country of Israel. I recommend you check out these wines and get to know the wines of Israel.

WBW #56: Fine Kosher Wine

The theme for Wine Blogging Wednesday #56 has now been announced. The Corkdork is this month's host and he has chosen an appropriate seasonal theme, Fine Kosher Wine. Your task is simply to taste a "fine" Kosher wine.

But this means not just any Kosher wine, not some of the generic alcoholic-grape juice that is out there, but only the best. Such wines may not be easy for everyone to locate, though there are some available online resources, such as Israeli Wine Direct. You can check out The Corkdork's post for more information about Kosher wines.

On or before Wednesday, April 15th, post your tasting review on your blog and then email the link to your post to thecorkdork@gmail.com. If you lack a blog, just add your review as a comment to the original post.

Rogov's Guide to Israeli Wines: 2009

The best way to learn about Israeli wines is to taste them. My own recent tasting experiences with Israeli wines have been very positive. The second best way to learn about Israeli wines is to read about them, to learn about their wineries, wine makers and more. When seeking out such information, there is a single book that stands out.

Rogov's Guide to Israeli Wines: 2009 by Daniel Rogov (Toby Press LLC, December 2008, $19.95) is considered by many to be the seminal guide to Israeli wines. Rogov is the

the wine and restaurant critic for the Israeli daily newspaper HaAretz and for the Israeli version of the International Herald Tribune. He also writes food and wine articles for other newspapers, magazines and books. He is considered the expert on Israeli wines.

The 2009 edition of Rogov's Guide is the fifth such book and its 528 pages contain plenty of information about Israeli wine, including reviews of almost 1800 wines. It is a hardcover but only the size of a paperback book, making it easy to carry around. The Introduction has plenty of basic information including a history of wine in Israel, their current status of wine production, Israeli's grape growing regions and varieties, vintage reports from 1976-2007, kosher wines, and a few top ten lists. This will give you an excellent overview to the Israeli wine industry.

Most of the Israeli wines I have tasted, and enjoyed, are obtainable through Israeli Wine Direct. They currently represent about ten boutique wineries, and a number of them are on Rogov's Top Ten lists. For example, four of the wineries they represent are on Rogov's Ten Best Wine Producers list.

The bulk of Rogov's Guide is an alphabetical listing of over 140 Israeli wineries. Each listing provides some brief information about the winery and then tasting notes, drinking windows, and scores of their wines. Rogov uses the 100 point ranking system and discusses the use of such scores later on in the Afterword. Like Robert Parker, Rogov states that the tasting notes are much more important than the scores. The rest of the Afterword contains a guide to tasting wines, a glossary of wine terminology and contact information for the wineries.

This is certainly a very comprehensive guide, though I would have liked to see more information about each specific winery. Generally, Rogov provides only a paragraph of facts and background about each winery. But, as he usually provides the website url for each winery, you can easily find more information if you want. The guide has tons of wine reviews and they give a great overall picture of the expanse of Israel wine production. It is an easy guide to use and has numerous wine labels throughout, adding color to the book.

If you want to learn more about Israeli wines, this is an excellent resource and one I recommend. For the price, this is a very good value that is stuffed with plenty of information. I am unaware of any other resource that contains as much information about Israeli wine. Learn about one of the hottest, upcoming wine regions and check out Rogov's Guide.

Poll Results on Israeli Wines

My recent poll titled "What Is Your Experience With Israeli Wines?" has now ended. So what were the results? How did their wines fare? I don't think the results were surprising but they were informative.

Based on the responses, a significant number of people still have not tried Israeli wines. About 65% of the respondents have never tried an Israeli wine. Israeli wines need to continue making their presence known to the public, and consumers need to take a chance and try some of the excellent wines coming out of Israel. About 23% of the respondents have only tried a few wines and only 12% have tried a fair share of Israeli wines.

But, of those who have tried Israeli wines, the vast majority have enjoyed them. 72% of the respondents have liked most of the Israeli wines they have tried and 18% have liked some and disliked others. This seems to indicate that many people would enjoy Israeli wines, if they only took a chance and tasted them. If these wines can become more accessible, if they are more prominent in local tastings and wine stores, then they should be appealing to wine lovers.

Curiously enough, only 53% of the respondents wanted to try more wines from this region. Yet 65% of the respondents have never tried these wines. If you have not tried Israeli wines before, why wouldn't you want to at least try them? And with all of those who have enjoyed the Israeli wines they have tasted, you definitely should give them a try.

Please post more detail about your own experiences with Israeli wines in the comments.

Thanks.

Israeli Wine Tasting: Tulip Winery

I saved the fifth winery, the Tulip Winery, for last because I was really taken by their story and they garnered my admiration for its charity and community support. The Yitzhaki family founded this winery in 2003, locating it in Kfar Tikva, near their home in Kiryat Tivon.

Kfar Tikva (translated as "village of hope") was founded in 1964 on the Zaid Hills in the Jezreel Valley, near Kiryat Tivon, in northern Israel. It is a residential community, with about 200 members, for individuals with disabilities and special needs. The community was designed to assist these people realize their full potential, as well as to be able to live as independently as possible.

As their website states: "To its members, Kfar Tikva represents love, camaraderie, learning, therapy, work, laughter, song, and so much more. It is their hometown, and they have reason to be proud of it and of themselves for making it so unique." It is a touching story and I encourage all my readers to visit the Kfar Tikva site and read all about this special community.

The Tulip Winery works closely with the Kfar Tikva community, including hiring some of their members to work at the winery. These members work at all aspects of the wine production process, from harvest to bottling, as well as helping out with sales and vistors to the winery. Tulip also assists the community with renovations and improvements. Tulip is an integral partner to the community, and earn much admiration from me for all that they do. It is a great cause and such a compelling tale.

A couple of the Itzhaki family members at the winery include Itzhak Itzhaki, the "head of the clan” and winery owner, and Roy Itzhaki, younger son and CEO of the winery. Their wine maker is Tamir Arzy, an agronomist who specialized in the vine.

The winery’s vineyards are located several different areas, though mainly the Upper Galilee and Judean Hills. They believe this leads to more unique wines, reflective of different terroirs. The winery currently produces aprroximately 8000 cases of wine each year.

The first wine I tried was their 2007 White Tulip ($19), a unique blend of 70% Gewurtztraminer and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. This pale yellow colored wine had a prominent spicy nose that was typical Gewurtztraminer yet on the palate, the taste was much more Sauvignon Blanc with only hint of Gewurtztraminer spice. Plenty of nice citrus flavors, especially grapefruit, without any grassy taste. A crisp wine with a nice finish and the the hint of Gewurtztraminer flavors really added something to the wine. Seek out this wine!

Next up was the 2006 "Mostly" Cabernet Franc ($25), which is a blend of 86% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. The "Mostly" line consists of wines that are predominantly one grape, but with small additions of other grapes. They also have a "Just" line which consists of single grape wines.

This Cabernet Franc was aged for about 14 months in 90% French and 10% American oak and has an alcohol content of 14.5%. Unbelievably to me, this was another Cabernet Franc that I enjoyed, that lacked any green/vegetal flavors. It seems that if I want to enjoy Cabernet Franc, I need to buy it from Israel rather than France, Long Island or California. The wine had nice berry flavors, especially blackberry and black cherry. Nice acidity, a good finish and hints of intriguing spice. Tannins were mild and this wine could be drank on its own or paired with food.

The 2006 "Mostly" Shiraz ($25) is a blend of 64% Shiraz, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. It was aged for about 14 months in 50% French and 50% American oak and has an alcohol content of 15.2%. This is a bold, rich wine that is quite spicy with black fruit flavors and hints of eucalyptus. It is too tannic and has a lingering and satisfying finish. Another hit wine!

The 2006 Syrah Reserve ($39.99) is a blend of 90% Syrah, 6% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. It was aged for about 16 months in French oak and has an alcohol content of 14.8%. This is similar to the "Mostly" Shiraz except the similarities are more intense in the Reserve. The fruit flavors are more lush and pronounced, the spiciness tingles your palate, and the finish is very, very long. It is more tannic so is a better wine to pair with food. There is also almost no eucalyptus flavor, but instead there is more vanilla. A more expensive wine but one that justifies the price.

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($32) is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petite Verdot. It was aged for about 18 months in new French oak and has an alcohol content of 15%. This is a very dark red wine with rich aromas of black fruit, especially plum. It is a full-bodied wine with lush black fruit flavors (and some blueberry), touches of vanilla, and hints of spice. The tannins are moderate, the wine is well balanced and has a lengthy finish. An excellent example of a Cabernet and a good price for the quality.

The final wine was the 2005 Black Tulip ($45), their top of the line. Look at the wine label carefully, especially the picture on the left side. Unfortunately, I don't currently have a better image of that picture. From the photo at the top of this picture, you can see that the Black Tulip label is very different due to the colorful picture on the label. The winery held a contest among the members of the Kfar Tikva community to design a picture for the label. And the above picture won, a colorful abstract with intriguing geometric shapes.

To me, this contest helps place Tulip's work with the Kfar Tikva community in a certain context. They could have easily created the contest for a label on one of their least expensive wines. But no, they chose to do so with their most expensive wine, the flagship of their portfolio. This speaks loudly to the world of their dedication and caring for this special community.

The Black Tulip is a Bordeaux style blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petite Verdot. All of the grapes were handpicked from vineyardes in the Judean Hills and only the best grapes are used. The 2005 vintage had low yields yet high quality grapes. The wine was aged for about 30 months in new French oak and then aged in the bottle for about 6 months. Only 2900 bottles were produced and the wine has an alcohol content of 15%.

This wine does remind me of Bordeaux, being very Old World in style. It has an almost purple color to it with an enticing nose of plum, black cherry and vanilla. It is a full bodied wine, with firm tannins, and lots of complexity on the palate. I tasted a well structured melange of flavors, including ripe plum, blueberry, vanilla, cinnamon, and cedar. The finish lingered for quite a long time, seemingly transforming in flavor every few months. Absolutely delicious and a wine with much potential to age well. I would pair this wine with food, though there is still a smooth elegance to this wine. I highly recommend this wine and it is well worth its price, it not twice the price.

That wraps up my four-part series on the recent Israeli wine tasting. I hope you now are intrigued enough to seek out some Israeli wines. I will sure be looking for more of their wines to taste. Israel is producing some excellent wines and they deserve more respect than they currently receive. If you cannot find Israeli wines in your local area, you may be able to order the wines I reviewed from Israeli Wine Direct.

Israeli Wine Tasting: Margalit Winery & Pelter Winery

Margalit Winery, founded in 1989, was the first boutique winery in Israel and is owned and operated by Yair Margalit and his son Asaf. The winery is located close to the Mediterranean, about halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa. Their two vineyards are located in the upper Galilee Mountains and the village of Binyamina.

They only produce approximately 1600 cases a year, all of the grapes having been hand harvested and using only free run juice. They have a passion for Bordeaux grapes so concentrate on growing those.

The 2005 Margalit Cabernet Franc ($54.99) is 100% Cabernet Franc and has an alcohol content of 14.9%. I was a bit hesistant about this wine as I am usually not a big fan of this grape because it often has a green/vegetal taste I dislike. But to my pleasant surprise, this wine lacked those flavors. In fact, it reminded me far more of a Syrah. It was a dark red in color with a nose of berries and a touch of spice. On the palate, the spice was much more prominent, like a spicy Syrah, though there were also nice black cherry, plum and raspberry flavors. The tannins were moderate and the finish was long and enjoyable. Plenty of complexity, a nice structure and very satisfying. This was a Cabernet Franc that I very much enjoyed.

The 2006 Margalit Enigma ($75) is a Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc and has an alcohol content of 14%. This was a dark red wine with an interesting nose of dark berries and mocha. It was a very rich, full bodied wine, a powerful wine although the tannins were very smooth. Complex flavors of blackberry, spice and chocolate. Very long finish for an exceptional wine, albeit at high price. Though this wine is probably comparable to similarly priced Bordeaux.

The 2006 Margalit Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($90) is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petite Sirah with an alcohol content of 14%. Another dark red wine and this had an enticing nose of ripe plum and blueberry. Both of the smells also came out on the palate, lush fruit that just pleased me immensely. There were plenty of spice notes as well, tantalizing the palate, daring you to guess all the varied flavors. The tannins seemed moderate, much less than expected. The finish lingered very satisfactorily, the fruit seeming to go on and on. An exceptional wine, sensual and hedonistic. Another pricey wine but again, probably worth the price.

The Pelter Winery is another family affair, having been founded by Tal Pelter in 2002 on the family farm in Moshav Zofit. But, Tal realized they would soon outgrow that space so the winery was moved to a temporary location and will soon be permanently located in the northern portion of Ramat HaGolan. The vineyards, almost nine acres, are located on the Golan.

The winery produces two basic brands: the Pelter series, which are supposed to be quality value wines, and the T-Selection series, their higher-end, low production wines. They currently produce between 30,000 and 40,000 bottles each year.

The 2008 Pelter Unwooded Chardonnay ($21) was quite delicious. It had a fine yellow color and a nose of tropical fruits. On the palate, there was plenty of citrus flavors, especially lemon and a bit of peach. It was crisp with a lengthy finish, just the type of Chardonnay I prefer and I would definitely recommend this wine.

I previously tasted the prior vintages of the next two wines, and had enjoyed them both. The new vintages were just s pleasing. The 2008 Pelter Sauvignon Blanc ($19) was very similar to the 2007 Pelter Sauvignon Blanc except that I did not detect any grassy notes on the 2008. The 2007 Pelter Trio ($25) was also comparable to the 2006 Pelter Trio, the only real difference being that the new vintage was a few dollars cheaper.

The most expensive of the Pelter series was the 2006 Pelter Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz ($32) a 50%/50% blend that spent about 18 months in French and American oak. This was an interesting blend of black fruits and spice. Tannins were fairly strong, making this preferably a food wine. Good complexity, nice balance and a long finish made this a very good wine.

Again, I faced a wine with some trepidation, another Cabernet Franc. Yet the 2006 Pelter T-Selection Cabernet Franc ($44) lacked any green/vegetal smell or taste. I was shocked that I had found two Cabernet Francs at this tasting which I actually enjoyed. This wine spent about 14 months in French oak and reminded once again of a spicy Shiraz. There were nice berry flavors, especially some black cherry, as well as hints of cinnamon and Christmas spices. Complex, long finish, and quite delicious.

The final Pelter wine was their 2006 Pelter T-Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($38), which spent about 20 months in French oak. This wine had plenty of fruit flavors but not in the style of California fruit bomb. I expected more tannins but this was a silky, velvet wine with lush tastes of plum, blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and spice. A hedonistic wine that is well worth the price. This was one of my favorite wines of the tasting.

More reviews to come tomorrow.