Beer, Wine and Pizza in the Carmel Region

05/28/2011

2 Comments

 
Picture
On Friday, May 27th the Levy family and friend David enjoyed a beer and wine tour in the Carmel Region. The Levy family has traveled to Israel before but has never been to a winery so they were very excited for this different travel experience in Israel.  We started the day off at Alexander Brewery in Emek Hefer. They received a tour by the owner, Ori, who explained the beer making process and what makes Alexander Beer quality and tasty.  The boys and even Susan, who usually is not a beer drinker, loved the Ambre Beer.

Picture
The second place we visited was Amphorae Winery where we received an explanation for the assistance winemaker, Alon.  He explained the winemaking process and the art behind winemaking. Amphorae’s facility is elegant and beautiful set in the middle of the Makura Forest. We tasted the Rosa 2010, Rhyton 2006, Syrah 2006 and Unica 2008.  All the wines were superb and enjoyed.

We then enjoyed a delicious lunch at Tishbi Estate Winery with a tasting of 2010 Gewürztraminer, 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Israeli salad and gourmet pizza.  

Picture
We ended the day at Somek Winery where we sat with Barak Dahan, the winemaker and owner and he talked about his passion to stay a small boutique winery only producing 10,000 bottles a year.  Everyone loved the atmosphere and wines at Somek Winery.  The day was enjoyed by all and everyone learned a lot more about the modern day Israeli wine industry and the historical aspect of wine in Israel.

2 Comments
 

Boca learns about Israeli Wines...yum!

05/25/2011

1 Comment

 
Picture
Bill wanted to show Judi a different experience in Israel since it was her first time and most of the places they were traveling were tourist destinations.  Bill and Judi enjoy quality wine, especially Pinot Noirs so it was my mission to show them that Israeli wine is delicious and can compare to quality wines from around the World. 

We started the day at Tzuba Winery where we saw the ancient wine press and took a tour of the vineyards.  Bill and Judi learned about the importance of the terrior in the flavor of the wines.  At Tzuba Winery, Paul Dubb, the winemaker, explained the unique quality of Tzuba since they take from the same vineyards every year and there is consistency to their wines.  We tasted the Chardonnay 2010, Pinot Noir 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Metsuda 2007 and the late-harvest Chardonnay dessert wine, which Judi loved. Bill enjoyed the Pinot but Pinot is hard to grow in Israel so it could not compare to an Oregon Pinot.

Picture
The second winery we visited was Tzora Winery where we tasted the Shoresh white 2009, Judean Hills 2009, Givat Haluchim 2008, Shoresh red 2008 and Misty Hills 2007. The great part of the tasting was the cheese, olive oil and delicious bread.

Picture
The final winery we visited was Agur Winery where Bill and Judi sat with Shuki Yashuv, the winemaker and discussed his passion as a winemaker and why he makes only blends.  We enjoyed the Blanca 2010, Rosa 2009 and 2010, Kessem 2009 and Special Reserve 2008.  Bill was very interested in the non-kosher and kosher process and marketing.  He bought a non-kosher 2004 Kessem to experience a non-kosher Israeli wine that will be enjoyed with a nice meal.

1 Comment
 

You mean that Kosher Wine can be good?

05/19/2011

 
Picture
Rachel, Jason, Rita and Terry love wine and enjoy wines from around the World, but they were not sure that Israel could produce good wines, especially kosher, that they would enjoy.  They were pleasently surprised by the quality of wines coming out of the Jerusalem Hills. 


We started the day at Tzuba Winery where Paul Dubb, the winemaker explained how Tzuba was unique in their methods and process of winemaking. We sat down with Paul and tasting the Chardonnay 2010 (newly released), Pinot Noir 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Metsuda 2007 and 2008 as well as Paul's new Chianto style blend.  Everyone loved Tzuba's wines, atmosphere and people.

Picture
After eating a delicious Israeli Arab lunch with salatim, hummas, chicken shlishlik, makluba and baklawa in Abu Gosh we traveled to Agur Winery and enjoyed an in-depth conversation with Shuki Yashuv, the winemaker and owner, about his love of winemaking and how to drink wine using ones sensual understanding.  We drank the Blanca 2010, Rosa 2009 and 2010, Kessem 2009, Special Reserve 2008 and EOP 2006. Everyone loved Agur Wines and learned a lot about the trends in kosher Israeli wine and the Israeli wine industry in general.
 

Semester Abroad Wine and Beer Education!

05/17/2011

3 Comments

 
Picture
On Sunday May 8th, a group of study abroad friends enjoyed a wine and beer tour in the Carmel Region.  We started the day at Alexander Brewery where Ortal explained the making of beer and the different tastes that can be created in beer from the ingrediants. At 10:30am the girls were drinking breakfast of champions - Beer!
Picture
Our next stop after a lovely walk around Ramat HaNadiv was Tishbi Estate Winery. We spend a couple of hours at Tishbi enjoying a pairing of food with wine. We ate lots of brick oven pizza and salads. We tasted the 2010 French Reisling, 2008 Special Reserve Chardonnay, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2007 Shiraz. Afterwards we enjoyed some chocolate at the newly opened Chocolate and Wine Tasting room.
Picture
Our last winery was Somek Winery where we tasted the Adom 2008, Carignan 2005 and Birkat HaNadiv 2005. The girls really enjoyed the intimacy of Barak's boutique winery and of course his dogs!

The day was enjoyed by all and the girls learned a lot about the process of wine, beer and brandy. They can now leave their semester abroad program with the knowledge of the Israeli wine industry.

3 Comments