Rogov’s Wine Guide 2010
07.11.2009
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Rogov’s Guide To Israeli Wines 2010 has been launched. This is the sixth edition of the book which has become a fixture in the wine libraries of wine lovers, connoisseurs and wine professionals alike.
The launch party was an intimate gathering of the main wine personalities of Israel, including all the major wine writers and critics in the country, CEO’s of wineries, winemakers and a smattering of people from the PR and media worlds . Matthew Miller, the publisher, introduced the proceedings. The main speaker was Adam Montefiore, wine development director of Carmel Winery and he was followed by Daniel Rogov himself.
Daniel Rogov is Israel’s answer to Robert Parker and Hugh Johnson rolled into one. He is a wine critic, whose influence in Israel matches that of Parker in the wider world of wine. Yet he also writes wine prose with the natural flair reminiscent of Hugh Johnson. Rogov is the wine & food writer for Haaretz, the quality newspaper of Israel.
In his speech, Montefiore noted how Rogov’s book had become a fixture in all the major bookshops of the English speaking world. He mentioned the book could be found in Foyles & Waterstone of London, Barnes & Noble in New York and Borders in Los Angeles. The effect was to put little Israel on the shelves alongside wine books by authors of the caliber of Oz Clarke, Hugh Johnson, Robert Parker and Jancis Robinson. He said that Rogov had become a brand no less important than the main Israeli wineries.
Rogov’s Guide contains the most comprehensive list of Israeli wineries available. It features over 140 wineries from large commercial operations like Carmel, Barkan & Golan Heights, producing millions of bottles of wines each year, to small domestic garagistes, producing a few thousand bottles. The book contains a short, concise introduction to each winery followed by in depth tasting notes on the wines. The introduction deals with history, explains what a kosher wine is and gives valuable vintage reports. The book has grown since the 2005 issue which had 278 pages. The latest edition has 487 pages!
The eagerly awaited ranking of the top ten Israeli wineries was revealed to be:
1. Golan Heights (Katzrin, Yarden, Gamla)
2. Yatir – owned by Carmel
3. Margalit
4. Castel
5. Clos de Gat
6. Flam
7. Chateau Golan
8. Pelter
9. Carmel (Limited Edition, Single Vineyard, Appelation)
10. Galil Mountain – owned by Golan Heights
In a welcome addition, Rogov this year chose to list the top 25 wines ranked during the last year. The top three wines of the year with 94 points, were (in alphabetical order):
Ch. Golan Cabernet Sauvignon Royal Reserve 2005
Margalit Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve 2007
Yatir Forest 2005
Of the other wineries scoring 92 or 93 points:
Clos de Gat had no less than 5 wines, Carmel had 4, Margalit 3, Pelter 3 and Golan Heights 2.
The event took place at Derech Ha’Yayin, Israel’s most prestigious wine store, situated in Hashmonaim Street in Tel Aviv. The proceedings took place in the underground cellar surrounded by Israel’s finest collection of prestigious wines from around the world. Derech Ha’Yayin is part of a chain owned by the Shaked family, with other stores situated in Ra’anana, Modiin, Nes Ziona, Ramat Hasharon and Savyon.
In honor of the main guest speaker, the wines tasted came from the Carmel stable and included: Yatir Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Carmel Appellation Viognier 2008, Yatir Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 and Carmel Kayoumi Vineyard Shiraz 2006.
Rogov’s Guide to Israeli Wines 2010 is published by Toby Press, www.tobypress.com. It may be purchased for NIS 99, US $ 19.95 or GBP 9.99 and is thoroughly recommended for anyone with the slightest interest in Israeli wines!
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I buy Israeli wines in my country (Not for Israelis)
