once a year, Studio Ben Ami (sommelier.co.il), bring together several winemakers and other wine professionals and hold a blind tasting contest, in search of Israeli wines that they consider as the best buy in their price and style category
Price is an important and often the salient factor for people who are looking to stock up on wine in preparation for the Passover holiday. Big family meals, a 7 day holiday, a seder where people are instructed to drink 4 glasses of wine; add this all up and we will probably see many families who purchase and consume more wine over Passover, than their combined annual consumption.
But with so many options, people are still looking for the best buy for their money and with the growing awareness, some consumers are also willing to try new wines and grape varieties but don’t to overpay (at least conceptually) for the experiment . With this in mind, once a year, Studio Ben Ami (sommelier.co.il), bring together several winemakers and other wine professionals and hold a blind tasting (all of the labels are covered to ensure objectivity) contest, in search of Israeli wines that they consider as the best buy in their price and style category. Organizer Avi Ben Ami mentioned that “this is probably the most relevant wine competition as it addresses a real need and is relevant to a much wider audience. The majority of wines (volume wise) in Israel are sold in supermarkets and large retail outlets during the weeks leading up to the Passover and Rosh HaShana holidays. The results can help people navigate through the options and decide which wines to purchase.”
According to the rules of the competition, the most expensive wine must bear a retail price of no more than NIS 79. By default, this obviously excludes many of the smaller wineries whose wines are often sold at higher prices (with often no connection to the quality of the vino) and for the most part the competition is dominated by the larger producers in the industry.
And the winners are (divided by category):
Sparkling wine
1. Brut, Gamla, Golan Heights – 71 NIS
2. White Brut, 562, Tabor – 60 NIS
3. Brut, Privet Collection, Carmel – 60 NIS
White Wine – up to 50 NIS
1. White Hermon Mountain, Golan Heights 2013 – 40 NIS
2. Chardonnay, Har, Tabor 2013 – 79 NIS
3. Viognier, Galil Mountains 2013 – 48 NIS
White Wine Varieties
1. Sauvignon Blanc, Gamla, Golan Heights 2013 – 50 NIS
2. Viognier, Galil, Galilee Mountains 2012 – 60 NIS
3. Sauvignon Blanc, Adama, Tabor 2013- 60
Chardonnay
1. Chardonnay, Shilo, 2012 – 75 NIS
2. Chardonnay, Gamla, Golan Heights 2012 -59 NIS
Aromatic Varieties
1. Emerald Riesling, Private Collection, Carmel 2013 – 40 NIS
2. Gewürztraminer, Terra, Teperberg 1870 2013 – 59 NIS
3. Riesling, Gamla, Golan Heights 2013 – 53 NIS
White Blend
1. Chardonnay- Viognier, Adama II, Tabor 2013 – 79 NIS
2. White Hermon Mountain, Golan Heights 2013 – 40 NIS
Rose
1. Rose, Silver, Teperberg 1870 2013 – 39 NIS
2. Zinfandel Rose, Selected, Carmel 2013 – 30 NIS
Red Wine – up to the price of 50 NIS
1. Shiraz, Teva, Binyamina 2012 – 25 NIS
2. Reches Adom, Ezorit, Carmel 2012 – 40 NIS
3. Cabernet Sauvignon, Teva, Binyamina 2012 – 25 NIS
3. Cabernet Sauvignon, Galilee Mountains 2012 – 48 NIS
Cabernet Sauvignon
1. Cabernet Sauvignon, Private Collection, Carmel 2011 – 45 NIS
2. Cabernet Sauvignon, Terra, Teperberg 1870 2011 – 69 NIS
3. Cabernet Sauvignon, Adama, Tabor 2010 – 60 NIS
Merlot
1. Merlot, Terra, Teperberg 1870 2011 – 69 NIS
2. Merlot, Private Collection, Carmel 2011 – 45 NIS
Shiraz
1. Shiraz, Special Reserve, Barkan 2010 – 79 NIS
2. Shiraz, Adama, Tabor 2011 – 60 NIS
‘Special’ Red Varieties
1. Malbec, Terra, Teperberg 1870 2012 – 69 NIS
2. Cabernet Franc, Ezorit, Carmel 2009 – 65 NIS
3. Pinotage, Special Reserve, Barkan 2010 – 79 NIS
3. Petit Verdot, Special Reserve, Barkan 2010 – 79 NIS
Cabernet Sauvignon Based Blend
1. Cabernet-Petit Sirah, Adama II, Tabor 2010 – 79 NIS
2. Cabernet-Shiraz, Ezorit, Carmel 2009 – 60 NIS
3. Bordeaux Blend, Jerusalem 2011 – 39 NIS
Free Style Blend
1. Cabernet Franc-Cabernet Sauvignon, Adama II, Tabor 2010 – 79 NIS
2. Terrace, Lueria 2012 – 75 NIS
3. Berenice Blend 2012 – 65 NIS
Dessert wine
1. Moscato, Selected, Carmel 2013 – 30 NIS
2. Hermon Mountain, Moscato, Golan Heights 2013 – 40 NIS
