ISRAELI WINES

Here's something that we in Singapore don't get to taste everyday, a Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 straight from the land of Israel, thanks to my wonderful brother's recent visit there! Here's something interesting about it too, its a KOSHER wine! Ok, for my own ignorance, "Kosher", in Hebrew, means fit or proper, and is generally used to describe food prepared in accordance with special Jewish dietary laws. Since Kosher law does not prohibit the use of specific wine styles, grape varieties or origin, so any wine, made in accordance with these laws can be Kosher.

Taken from a Website, Kosher law for wine making requires the following points:
1. Equipment used to make the wine is used exceptionally for producing Kosher products.

2. Only Sabbath observing Jews can handle the wine from grape crushing to consumption, unless the wine is pasteurized.

3. Only certified Kosher products (yeast, filtering agents, etc.) can be used.

Here's some interesting historical facts! there is perception(Not that I have any!) that Kosher wines are sweet because of the way Kosher wines are made, but thats not true, it's actually due to historical circumstances. The Concord grape, the only available sort of grape for Jewish immigrants arriving in New York area, is an acid grape which must be balanced with sugar to be enjoyed as sweet wine. With the time, this fact was accepted by Kosher. Today, the range of grape sorts used for producing Kosher supervised wines has greatly expanded. Due to this range, Kosher wines are available in all varieties all over the world.

Here's the tasting notes for this wine as I'm watching an action movie!

APPERANCE

A very young and deep dark ruby color with bright rims and a deep core, looks quite intense.

NOSE

A nice rounded nose, full of plump prune characters. Surprisingly cool climate aromas with grape stalks, wet grass, and mineral mud. There's a nice purple fruit bouquet of plums, blueberries and prunes.

PALATE

The first expression is a real tangy sweetness in the wine, with a lot of lively and nice fruit tannins filling my tongue. Surprisingly medium bodied and subtle in style, but not too balanced a wine, with hints of flabbiness and somewhat overwhelming sugar.

EVOLUTION/CONCLUSION

Honestly a very interesting cabernet sauvignon expression, simple yet different. Not a WOWer in terms of quality, but definitely a nice wine to have with Vietnamese cuisines or simply with herb breads! Some conventional recommendations would be chicken and tomato based pasta dishes.