Price and “value for money” ratio are key factors when making wine purchasing decisions and the pre-Passover specials are an excellent opportunity to stock up on some of your favorite vinos
Passover is soon approaching and a recent visit to a couple of wine stores in Jerusalem indicated that the wine sales and specials have already begun. It is safe to say that price and “value for money” ratio are key factors when making wine purchasing decisions and the pre-Passover specials are an excellent opportunity to stock up on some of your favorite vinos.
Following are several wine suggestions to meet every pocket and every palate.
2 red vinos up to NIS 90
Golan Heights, Yarden, Syrah, 2009 – a full bodied and well balanced red, suggesting pleasant notes of ripe cherries and black berry fruits followed by dry herbs, tobacco and a slight peppery sensation leading to a long and satisfying finish. I recently opened a bottle of the Yarden, Single Vineyard, Syrah from the 2006 vintage – while it will definitely keep for a couple more years (at least), if you have a bottle, Seder night would be an excellent opportunity to enjoy this wine at its prime.
Binyamina, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from vineyards in the Galilee and Golan Heights, dark ruby, this is a full bodied vino suggesting dark berry fruits, young plums, vanilla and a cool green note (something between mint and eucalyptus) leading to a long and pleasant finish. Serve with roasted or stewed beef based dishes. Another wine from Binyamina’s Reserve label that is worth a try is the Carignan which is quite enjoyable and very different when comparing to the Cab.
2 white vinos up to NIS 75
Tavor, Adama, Roussanne, 2012 – a new release from the Tavor winery which recently unveiled several white vinos from the Adama label. The Roussanne is a new addition to the Tavor portfolio and the first varietal Israeli Roussanne based wine that I have sampled. The result is quite impressive – a clear, crisp vino with generous aromas and flavors of tropical fruit, guava, green apples and citrus zest leading to a long and well balanced finish. Serve chilled on a warm spring/summer afternoon and you’re in for a pleasant surprise.
Carmel, Single Vineyard, Riesling, 2011 – in my opinion, one of the best Israeli Rieslings of recent years. 100% Johannesburg Riesling from the renowned Kayoumi vineyard. Off-dry, bright straw with green reflections, suggesting very pleasant aromas and flavors of green apples, lemon zest, grapefruit, honey suckle followed by a touch of minerals and light petrol notes; good balancing acidity and a long and clean finish make this a very enjoyable vino.
2 “light and fun” vinos up to NIS 50
Dalton, Muscato, 2012 – light, fun, refreshing – everything that one would expect from a classic Muscato wine. A bit fizzy on the palate, sweet but not sugary, fruity, notes of honey, flowers and dried apricots. Serve cold with a fruit platter, cream pies, cheeses or other fruit based desserts and even the “non wine aficionados” among your guests will enjoy this one.
Teperberg, Terra, Sauvignon Blanc, 2012 – 100% Sauvignon Blanc, very light in color, crisp with clean aromas and flavors of citrus zest, green apple and freshly cut grass. A bit flowery on the nose with a medium and balanced finish. The wine was recently selected by a panel of judges as one of the three “best value” white wines under NIS 50 and I can definitely see why.
L’Chaim!
