Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/39104
Fields of orget everything you think you know about Israeli wine. To understand what they are trying to accomplish on an artistic and commercial level, you need to experience them with an open mind and all five senses. Israeli’s emergent winemakers—such as Château Golan and pioneering boutique winery Margalit, both of whom are currently seeking U.S. importation—want to make it clear that while not everything arising from Israel’s hallowed land will be kosher, standards of quality are as strong in Israel as they are in Europe, the Pacific and North America. From the Galilee and Golan in the north to the Negev Desert in the south, wine- makers large and small go the extra mile to be judged first on quality, complexity and versatility. However, there is still a concern that both kosher and non-kosher Israeli wines, even with good U.S. representation, may get lost in the marketing shuffle. This, in turn, necessitates a proactive approach to positioning themselves in the world market. F Israel has been a land of wine since Biblical times. TO FULLY EMBRACE ISRAEL’S EMERGING MODERN WINE INDUSTRY, MOVE AWAY FROM WHERE THEY’VE BEEN AND FOCUS ON WHERE THEY’RE HEADED story and photos by Elyse Glickman Dreams Golan Heights Winery is one of Israel’s major producers. 84 / the tasting panel / august 201 1