Wine With Wanda

Martin Sinkoff Knows the Business of Wine

Martin Sinkoff, Founder, Martin Sinkoff Associates 

Few people can rival Martin Sinkoff's knowledge of the intricacies of the wine industry. Martin's impressive career has included executive leadership roles with prominent importers and the lifelong Francophile was even honored by the French government for his contributions. He recently founded his own business, Martin Sinkoff Associates, and together with associate Roger C. Bohmrich (Master of Wine), they specialize in business development for the wine and spirits industry.

During our recent Instagram Live chat, we discussed Martin's career path and how wineries can navigate the challenges of sales & marketing and position themselves for success during these challenging times. Martin recently relocated to Tel Aviv from NYC and during our chat, we sipped some lovely Israeli wines and discussed the diversity, quality, and charms of wines from the region. Click the video above, watch on IGTV, or YouTube learn more about Martin's impressive career and to hear his words of wisdom. 

Martin showcased four wines from The Judean Hills Quartet, "a group of artisanal wineries which provide a window into the rebirth of a beautiful wine region with a deep history. They tell the story of the renaissance of the Judean Hills, which is leading Israel to new levels of quality. The four wineries have contrasting personalities and different wine styles, but they each share the unique terroir of the area." The wines selected by Martin were Domaine du Castel Rosé 2019, Sphera Riesling 2019, Flam "Classico" Red 2018, and Tzora "Judean Hills" 2018. I sipped Golan Heights Winery, Hermon, Mt. Hermon Red 2018. 

From the Mountains of Israel to Your Wineglass: Superb Sips from Psagot Winery

Yaakov Berg, founder of Psagot Winery

Yaakov Berg may have trained as a lawyer but winemaking was clearly his destiny. Born in Russia, his family moved to Israel when he was 3 years old. His father was a mathematician with dreams of working the land and that wish came to fruition when Yaakov was 13 and the family planted a small vineyard for their personal enjoyment. That hands-on experience ignited Yaakov's passion for winemaking. After completing his military service, Yaakov's travels took him to wineries in Australia and New Zealand. In 2003, Yaakov founded Psagot Winery. Psagot means the peak of the mountain in Hebrew and the winery is located in the northern Jerusalem Mountain range. Psagot grows international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to craft wines that are undeniably Israeli but have universal appeal.

image courtesy of Psagot Winery

For Yaakov, "Wine is not just a drink. It is culture." He celebrates the powerful connection of winemaking to the history and traditions of the Jewish people. A cave was discovered on the grounds of Psagot Winery that contained ancient wine and olive oil presses. Today, that ancient cave serves as Psagot's wine barrel cellar. In our conversation, Yaakov enthusiastically exclaimed "after 2,000 years, the land came back to life!"


Also discovered in the cave were coins dating back to 70 AD with an inscription of an amphora - an ancient vessel for wine storage. A striking replica of the coin is affixed to the Psagot bottles, including their award-winning Psagot Edom 2013 ($35). A balanced blend of Merlot (63%), Cabernet Sauvignon (16%), Petit Verdot (11%), and Cabernet Franc (10%), Edom is rich and silky with luscious dark fruit & berry flavors and vibrant hints of Mediterranean herbs. A beautiful match with rosemary seasoned lamb chops or a juicy burger.


 

Psagot Sinai 2014 ($17) offers easygoing elegance at a fantastic price. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%) and Shiraz (45%), it is dry but refreshingly juicy and spicy. A great match with BBQ and more casual meals.  

If you only drink Cabernet Sauvignon from California, Psagot Cabernet Sauvignon ($30) will intrigue your palate. While the grape's signature rich and robust traits are evident, this wine has a distinctive, yet not overwhelming, herbaceousness that enhances the deep dark fruit flavors. Grill up a steak with this beauty! 

image courtesy of Psagot Winery

If you're not familiar with wines from Israel, give Psagot a swirl. I've sipped several different wines from Israel over the past few months and I have been absolutely impressed by the quality, diversity, and authenticity of the wines. The region has a tremendous legacy of winemaking and dynamic winemakers like Yaakov are proving that Israeli wines can compete on the global stage. If you're planning a trip to Israel, Psagot welcomes visitors for tours and tastings. Cheers! 

Israeli Wines That Soar: Superb Sips from Golan Heights Winery

"Wine conveys a feeling of its source from within. The region in which the grapes are grown is embedded in the taste, aroma and color of the wine. Wine, therefore, has the power to embody the culture, language, scents and people of its region."
- Victor Schoenfeld, Head Winemaker, Golan Heights Winery

Winemaker Victor Schoenfeld brings California swagger to Golan Heights Winery in Israel. A native of the Golden State, Victor earned his degree in Enology from the University of California, Davis and worked at wineries in California and France before being named as the head winemaker of Golan Heights Winery in 1992. Victor's talents and expertise have guided Golan Heights Winery to the upper echelons of Israeli wine producers and they were recently included in the Wine Spectator cover story dedicated to the growing prominence of Israeli wines.  

After planting their first vineyards in the Golan in 1976, Golan Heights Winery was founded in 1983 and represents an exciting chapter in Israel's modern winemaking history. Although Israel's winemaking traditions can be traced back thousands of years, a renaissance has been blooming in Israel's vineyards and Golan Heights Winery has been an integral part of this exciting new chapter.


I recently had the opportunity to taste several wines from Golan Heights Winery's premier line of flagship wines - Yarden. Made from the finest grapes from their best vineyards, the Yarden wines reflect Victor's statement that "the key to quality is in the vineyard." Golan Heights' volcanic soil and cool high-altitude climate nurture the growth of high-quality grapes and this is evident in each sip. From crisp whites to bold reds, the Yarden wines express Israel beautifully and showcase world-class wines with universal appeal. 

Yarden Gewurztraminer 2015 ($24.99)
Flirty floral flavors are kicked up a notch with exuberant touches of spice and lychee. Tropical with a hint of herbs. A refreshing apéritif and a winning match with spicy food! 

Yarden Katzrin Chardonnay 2014 ($30)
Winemaker Victor Schoenfeld describes "oak as a picture frame that focuses the attention" but does not overwhelm - balance is key. This philosophy is beautifully expressed in this wonderful Chardonnay. French oak enhances this full-bodied wine's flavors of ripe pear, lemon, and apple. Energetic acidity and a touch of flint make this a balanced beauty! Pair with salmon or roast chicken. 

 

Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 ($39.99)
Victor describes this velvety red as an "iconic Israeli wine." Intense and juicy flavors of blackberry and dark cherry are revved up with touches of black tea and herbs. Pair with steak, lamb, veal, and pasta with mushrooms. 

Visit the Golan Heights Winery website to discover more wines in their portfolio. If you're planning a trip to Israel, they welcomes visitors for tours and tastings. Cheers! 

 

Israeli Wines are Finally the Toast of the Town!

Only in the wine world could a region with an ancient tradition of viticulture suddenly become a sensation! It may have taken a few thousand years but Israeli wines have captured the attention of wine lovers like never before. A recent Wine Spectator cover story declared that "driven by Israelis' search for quality from their native land and by a dawning appreciation for its wines in both Europe and America, the wine industry in the Jewish state is transforming at a rapid rate."

Once primarily relegated to the kosher section of many wineshops, Israeli wines are now being prominently displayed to appeal to a more diverse customer base. I recently had the pleasure of attending a luncheon organized by fellow wine writer Cathrine Todd (Dame Wine) to share wine & conversation with 4 Israeli wine producers that were in New York City to participate in Wine Spectator's New York Wine Experience. Each winemaker had a unique story but a shared passion for making fine Israeli wines and sharing them with the world. 

 Chief winemaker Gil Shatsberg and winery founder Lenny Recanati of Recanati Winery. 

Recanati Winery was my first in-depth experience with Israeli wine and I believe that their approach epitomizes the current state of winemaking in the country - wines deeply connected to tradition yet open to modern techniques and sensibilities. Their Marawi 2015 ($35) is a stellar example of this ancient meets modern esthetic. An ancient indigenous grape, Marawi can be traced back to A.D. 220 and has been described as the wine that Jesus and King David drank. Thanks to Recanati's efforts, Marawi is now available for us less than noble and heavenly beings. Marawi is also a powerful example of collaboration between Israelis and Palestinians - the grapes are grown by a Palestinian farmer and the wine is produced in Israel. Marawi is an elegantly austere dry white wine with crisp minerality, subtle herbal flavors, and the ineffable link to ancient times.

Wild Carignan 2014 ($50) is another beauty from the Recanati portfolio. Rich and supple, this juicy red wine has luscious flavors of blackberries, dark plums, cassis, and violets that are balanced by lively acidity and hints of Mediterranean herbs. 

Eran Pick (Master of Wine) is Tzora Vineyards' winemaker and general manager.  

Tzora Vineyards has a very special something that no other winery in Israel does - their winemaker, Eran Pick, is Israel's very first Master of Wine! Eran is also a graduate of the prestigious viticulture & oenology program at the University of California, Davis and has trained at wineries in Napa, Sonoma, Barossa, and Bordeaux. While this international perspective certainly influences Eran's winemaking, Tzora's wines eloquently express the terroir of the Judean Hills. Their Shoresh Blanc 2015 ($38) is a very appealing expression of Sauvignon Blanc. Substantial texture and creaminess from the 7 months that it spends aging on the lees (yeast particles) in French barriques, make Shoresh Blanc a dramatic departure from grassy and super zesty Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. For red, give Shoresh 2014 ($38) a swirl. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, this graceful wine has juicy flavors of black cherries, plums, and hints of spice. 

Tabor Winery winermaker Or Nidbach and agronomist/viticulturist Michal Akerman. 

Tabor Winery viticulturist Michal Akerman is passionate in her pursuit of "wines that tell a story, from the soil to the table." Situated in the heart of Galilee, the vineyard and winery lay in the foothills of Mt. Tabor. Their Sauvignon Blanc Adama 2015 ($18) is produced from 40-year old vines that extend deeply into limestone soil. Very aromatic, it is a vivacious wine with excellent acidity and layers of tropical and citrus flavors.

 

 

In 1988, Eli Ben Zaken followed his intuition and planted a small vineyard on a hilltop beside his home in the Judean Hills next to Jerusalem. That proved to be a very wise decision and today his Domaine du Castel is one of Israel's most respected wineries. Ben-Zaken describes Chardonnay as "the reddest of the white wines" and the winery's 'C' Blanc du Castel 2014 ($50) showcases this complexity. Fermented in French oak barrels and aged on the lees for nearly 12 months, the wine sings with flavors of tropical fruit and citrus with dashes of brioche, toasted almonds, and lip-smacking minerality.  

 

If your local wine shop isn't stocking wines from Israel, encourage them to place an order for Recanati, Tzora, Tabor, and Domaine du Castel. The wines are well-crafted, expressive, and pair beautifully with a wide variety of cuisine. You won't be disappointed in these delicious and culturally rich wines. Also, if you're planning a trip to Israel, many of the wineries welcome visitors for tours and tastings. Cheers! 

Recanati Makes Israeli Wines with Global Appeal

Recanati Winery's vineyard in Upper Galilee

With a Mediterranean climate and a tradition of viticulture dating back thousands of years, why aren't more of us drinking wine from Israel? Part of the problem is perception - many people mistakenly think that certified kosher wines and quality wines are mutually exclusive. That misconception discourages many neighborhood wine shops and restaurants from devoting much space, if any, to wines from Israel. Big mistake. After tasting through several excellent selections from the Recanati Winery portfolio, it became abundantly clear to me that kosher wine can also be fine wine and that Israeli wine pairs beautifully with a wide variety of cuisine. 

The dynamic duo of Recanati Winery - chief winemaker Gil Shatsberg and winery founder Lenny Recanati.

An artisan winery, Recanati was founded in 2000 by Israeli banker and financier Lenny Recanati - he also happens to be the owner of Israel's finest private wine collection. Before making their home in Israel in the early 1900's, Recanati's ancestors had lived in Italy for centuries and were involved in winemaking - there is even a town in the Le Marche region that bears the family's name. Lenny's foray into the wine business is making his surname known around the globe - Recanati wines are exported to the USA, Western Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia.

Chief Winemaker Gil Shatsberg has been at Recanati since 2008 and is highly regarded in the Israeli wine community. A graduate of the prestigious Viticulture and Enology Program at UC Davis in California, Shatsberg has been instrumental in raising the quality and profile of Recanati wines. In addition to finding great success with international grape varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon (selected by Wine Spectator as one of the 100 most exciting wines of 2014), Recanati is also devoting significant resources to identifying indigenous grapes. Recanati recently made international headlines with Marawi - a white wine produced from an ancient varietal that dates back to biblical times. A taste of history and an utterly modern story, Marawi is a tangible symbol of a successful collaboration between Israelis and Palestinians: the grapes are grown in Palestine and the wine is made in Israel. Marawi is not currently available in the United States but here are three Recanati wines that you should give a swirl!



Recanati Sauvignon Blanc 2014 ($14.99)
Crisp and refreshing, Recanati Sauvignon Blanc has lively tropical flavors of pineapple and lychee with subtle minerality. Not overwhelmingly grassy like Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand often is, this wine is a lovely apéritif and pairs nicely with lighter foods like salads, falafel, and simple fish dishes.

Recanati Special Reserve White 2012 ($49.99)
Showing that a white wine can be both graceful and substantial, this medium-bodied blend of Roussanne (60%) and Marsanne (40%) is aged 8 months in French barrels and has harmonious flavors of vanilla, spice, and grapefruit, with a subtle buttery finish. A very delicious alternative to Chardonnay that will pair oh-so-nicely with slightly spicy & creamy dishes.

Recanati Reserve Petite Sirah 2013 ($31.99)
Produced from 32-year old vines, the captivating aroma of this wine won me over - rich blackberry, blueberry, and violet. Those deep fruit flavors are vibrant and robust thanks to a nice level of acidity, soft tannins, and a hint of earth. This is definitely a wine that will pair elegantly with rich meats like beef, lamb, or duck confit.



If you're planning a trip to Israel, Recanati Winery welcomes visitors for guided tours and tastings - booking in advance required.