Wine With Wanda

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! 

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.