Posted June 16 2008 by Ezra Butler
Drink Wine. Israeli Wine.
Maybe it’s just me, but everywhere I turn in Jerusalem, I am sucked into a conversation about wine. People who know me professionally lament to me, asking “Why doesn’t Israel market itself through its wines?” My friends will either tell me about their favorite wine store (and physically take me there), or have a nice bottle with me (lately, its been on my porch, with perfect Jerusalem summer weather). And many of the wine professionals here give me new things to taste, to expand my palette. Even the younger brother of my best friend has started reading Rogov’s book, and asking me my thoughts on certain grapes and varieties. A good friend of mine has started a blog Israel Wine that aggregates news about Israeli wines (and of course, the prerequisite associated Facebook Group.
Don’t get me wrong. I love it. Finally the tides are changing. Israeli wines are good. Really good.
Carmel is no longer “oh that brand”, it has really come into its own. It even just released a Brut (a sparkling “champagne-like” wine) with an extremely reasonable price point, with excellent reviews from trusted sources. I’m excited to taste that.
Change your attitude towards wine: It’s not just for Shabbat or Purim. Wine is meant to be enjoyed. There is nothing better than a bottle of chilled Rose on a summer Friday afternoon with a friend, trust me.
Check out Z Mehler’s list of Kosher wines (skipping F-K, of course).
Invite some friends over for “wine night” once a week, choosing a different Israeli wine that you have never tasted before. It is a perfect apolitical mixer. Ask me for any recommendations.
When you come to Israel, check out some of the smaller wineries. And by that I mean visit them. Most wineries, whether they have an official tour or not, would love to show you around, and give you some delicacies to taste. Their enthusiasm is contagious. Just one thing, when I went to Psagot, Yaacov actually put me to work. The best day I work that I have ever done.
Give the gift of wine to others. Thankfully, since I moved, as a housewarming present, people have been giving me really nice bottles of wine. Be an Israeli Wine Evangelist. Get people to taste it.
Above all, really enjoy it. Understand the complexities, and realize that it is just like Israel. Israel is a small country with many different types of people, and wines. A Merlot from Kadesh Barnea will taste nothing like a Merlot from Yarden. One is grown in the Golan and the other in the desert. Completely different. Be courageous, and taste new types of wine, even if they are not just like you. (Am I messing up this metaphor?)
LeHayyim.
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9 Comments currently posted. 
Richard Shaffer says:
Avi says:
Israeli wine is great and we are lucky to live in Israel and so know about the great wine.
I just feel bad for my Diaspora brehtheren who don’t know about this great secret –
Dave Weinberg says:
Israeli culture has in wine something unique that we, chutzikim (those living outside Israel) really don’t have. When I last visited Israel, every dinner I had, our guests brought out some local vintage, some boutique bottle, something “cool”. We were able to try unique, top quality kosher wines, from different regions and enjoy it outside of the shabbos table atmosphere. I loved it! I don’t think this kind of relaxed lifestyle will grow so much here in the states, but it definitely makes me look forward to my next trip.
Kaffiyeh Girl says:
Go right ahead and ruin your liver 
Dani K says:
Nice Ezra!!
While Im not a wine drinker, “Golan Moscato” is the best of all the Moscato wines.
Plus if you’re in the area of the Golan, check out the Winery. Lots of fun!
DFields says:
Okay, if I haven’t gotten an ulcer by now from my mother’s constant nagging and Jewish guilt, then all the wine in the world will not harm my liver.
(Although she is against me drinking, if I can meet Jewish boys over a glass of Kosher wine, I’m sure she’d say, “Drink up!”.)
On a personal note, I loved the article. It really opened my eyes up to a part of Israel, and, therefore, Judaism, that I had no idea existed.
It’s true that when someone mentions fine wine, I think of Italy or France. But now I something new on my list of ‘things to try’ and something new to add to my long list of ‘things for Israel to gloat about’.
Wine Tasting Guy says:
Love it Ezra! How have we not met before? Possibly because I am presently stuck in galut (NYC). I’ll have to look you up and share a glass with you on my next trip.
“Be an Israeli Wine Evangelist” - BRILLIANT!
I wonder though, while I have read that wine consumption in Israel has gone up in recent years from 4 liters per person to 7 liters, I still find that many Israeli’s are not excited by Israeli wine - at least those in Israel. Sure they are more open to it than people outside of Israel. And yes many Israeli’s outside of Israel speak of their Zionism. But rather than Americans being Israeli wine Evangelists, shouldn’t it be the Israeli’s???
Keep spreading the gospel!
Ezra Butler says:
Thank you all for your really positive comments, as you can guess this is an issue close to my liver.. I mean heart.
Wine Tasting Guy:
To begin with, I am (now) Israeli, so I (and Avi @ israelwines, for instance) am trying. Also, look me up, and I’m sure that you will be pleasantly surprised.
Israelis who left Israel over 10 years ago have not been part of the wine swing. In Israel, more and more are being passionate, but their aim is not outward (for right or for wrong).
It also makes sense that the per capita consumption has risen in the recent years, I am here. Stam, I kid.
But you are right to a point: If you go to a random bar in Israel, chances are that there will be only 1 or 2 Israeli wines (and those are going to be the only kosher ones as well). If you look at the price point of non-kosher wines from Europe, you see quality for 10-15 dollars. A similar quality is hard to be found in Israel for under twice that price tag. In the end of the day, the bars make more money per bottle, if they can buy the wine cheaper and sell it for the same price.
As you know, for the most part, Israelis are not marketing the wines to the American market; some group like Royal wines is (or Kedem). So it falls onto the distributor to market the wines, hence, seeing Americans hawking the Israeli wines…
In any event, I should not post comments when my eyes are drooping.
Thanks y’all.
Drink Wine. Israeli Wine. « HaKerem: The Israeli Wine Blog says:
[...] is a guest post from Ezra Butler, a fellow evangelist of Israeli wine. It was originally printed on Jewneric. I love his call to “be an Israeli wine [...]
I like your excitement about these wines, Ezra! Rock on!
There’s no doubt that wine has a way of bringing people together across countries and cultures.
And I think that Israeli wine will now more than ever start to be a door into the REAL Israel, over time re-branding Israel in the minds of many who still mis-understand the place.
Richard