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.

“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!

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’.

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!

I just feel bad for my Diaspora brehtheren who don’t know about this great secret –

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