Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/118688
The Royal Round Up Heroes for Wines from Israel Jay Buchsbaum, VP of Marketing for Royal Wine, tells a personal story. "I worked for San Francisco Wine Exchange 25 years ago. The importing company had a portfolio of ten boutique wineries, but being kosher, I would go to David Herzog and ask him what his company carried that Here are some of our top picks from the international offerings of Royal Wine Corp. DOMAINE DU CASTEL, JUDEAN HILLS, ISRAEL From Israel's Judean Hills—the mountains surrounding Jerusalem—Bordeaux varieties equal Bordeaux style and quality from this family-owned winery. The vineyards are densely planted and produce small yields. The wine is aged up to 24 months in French oak. The family's motto is "We give time to time." Jay Buchsbaum, VP of Marketing for Royal Wines, was responsible for bringing in high end wines from Israel over a decade ago. Royal Wine Corp. now represents 16 different wines from Israel, from good value to top end quality. Domaine du Castel's "Petit Castel" from Israel ($40) is a knockout Bordeaux blend (70% Merlot) whose gorgeous blue floral notes adorn its great acidity and chalky tannins. was edgy—and kosher." Herzog was impressed with Buchsbaum's interest in kosher fine wine, so in 1985, he asked him to join the business. "This has been a wonderful time for me. In these past 24 years, I have tasted every wine we carry, but I think perhaps the highlight of my career here was bringing in top-quality Israeli wines 12 years ago." Domaine du Castel 2009 "Grand Vin" ($70) Sometimes called the Château Latour of Israel. Exotic jasmine and sweet tobacco maintain a hold on the palate and nose of this exquisite wine—a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot that also includes Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. ALEXANDER WINERY, UPPER GALILEE, ISRAEL What Makes a Wine Kosher? Contrary to popular opinion, kosher is not about being blessed. A kosher wine is wine that has been produced, handled and supervised from the beginning by sabbath-observant Orthodox Jews. First kosher wine from California: Baron Herzog, 1985. Changing the perspective: Yes, these French wines, with their well-known names, are kosher. Yoram Shalom holds his "Alexander the Great," from high-elevation vineyards in Upper Galilee. When it comes to the elite of Israeli wines, Alexander Winery possesses a 120-year family tradition of winemaking, which originated in Italy and North Africa. The winery estate is in the heart of Israel's Sharon region in the northern half of the coastal plain just north of Tel Aviv. Founder and winemaker Yoram Shalom left his career as a television photographer to start the winery in the late 1990s. "We are considered a cult wine in Israel," Shalom points out. Alexander Gold Label 2007 "Alexander the Great" Amarolo, Upper Gallilee, Israel ($120) The name of this special blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cab Franc is a play on Barolo and Amarone, for its big, concentrated depth and texture. The Cab and Merlot are dried on mats for over 70 days, as in Amarone's ripasso style. Rich and round, with bittersweet chocolate, seasoned herbs and black coffee tannins. The wine is aged in barrels for 40 months. april 2013 / the tasting panel / 139