GrapeLines

Reviews of the Yatir Forest 2008, the Michter’s U.S. No. 1 Small-Batch Bourbon, the Michter’s U.S. No. 1 Unblended American Whiskey and the Michter’s U.S. No. 1 Single-Barrel Straight Rye.

The story goes that when David Ben-Gurion was told by his scientific advisors that it would be impossible to plant trees in the northern Negev, he responded by getting new advisors. The result was Israel’s Yatir Forest, the 30-square-mile woodland along the southern slope of Mount Hebron. There are more than 4 million trees thriving in the Yatir Forest. Planted under the direction of Yosef Weitz and the Jewish National Fund, the Yatir Forest has become an international model of desert reclamation and ecologically healthy responses to climate change.

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A review of the 1848 Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 and the Four Roses 2011 Limited Edition Single Barrel 12 year old Bourbon.

The birth of the modern Israeli wine industry can be traced to Sir Moses Montefiore, the noted British philanthropist. Born in 1784, Montefiore gained great personal wealth as a businessman, ultimately retiring in 1924 to spend the rest of his life supporting various charities, including projects devoted to improving the lives of the Jews in the Holy Land. He established the first modern Jewish communities outside of Jerusalem, encouraging residents to pursue agriculture, including vineyard-tending.

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A review of the Psagot Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 and the Glenfarclas 10 year old, 17 year old and their “105″ Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The Judean Hills have been a source of wine since biblical times. Currently home to nearly 30 wineries, the hills surrounding Jerusalem now produce some of Israel’s best wines. The region’s complex soils, wide temperature variations, morning dew and modulating breezes create numerous micro-climates that allow the grapes to develop distinctive flavors and characteristics.

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A review of the Tzora Misty Hills 2007, the WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey and the Pig’s Nose Blended Scotch Whisky.

At this time of year, our thoughts inevitably return to the fundamentals of living a meaningful Jewish life. As this is a booze column, we therefore turn our wine thinking for the High Holidays toward eretz Yisrael. An outstanding on-the-ground guide to the growing Israeli wine scene is Oded Shoham, the CEO of the “Israel Wine Experience,” a company that provides Israeli winery tours, wine tastings, food pairings and lectures that can be geared for any level of interest.

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A tribute to the legendary Daniel Rogov including a review of the Mosby Kosher Plum Brandy Slivovitz.

The wine world has sadly become a little less interesting with the recent passing of Israel’s preeminent wine critic Daniel Rogov earlier this month. Rogov (as he preferred to be called) arrived on the Israeli wine scene just as there was a growing interest in quality improvement.

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A review of the Kadesh Barnea Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, the Johnnie Walker “Blue Label” and the Penderyn Single Malt Welsh Whisky.

It seems almost poetic that the barren region where Moses brought forth water from a rock would eventually become a winery. Also known as the place where Miriam is buried, Kadesh Barnea in the western Negev is the site of a unique boutique winery. While it seems counterintuitive to grow grapes in the desert, the hot days and cool nights actually provide the type of wide temperature variations that result in flavorful and well-balanced wines.

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A review of the Recanati Petite Sirah-Zinfandel Reserve 2009 and the Boulard Grand Solage VSOP, XO de Boulard and the Boulard Millesime 1985 Calvados.

The Recanati Petite Sirah-Zinfandel Reserve 2009 ($20) is a terrific kosher summer wine that is perfect with grilled and spicy foods. Made with 90 percent old-vine Petit Sirah sourced from the lower Galilee, it has an appealing earthy, brambly aroma accented with red berries, mint and dark plums. Full-bodied with complex blackberry and other slightly spicy, dark fruit flavors, it also shows coffee and toasted nuts in the bright finish.

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