There is a growing interest in sharing Israel’s best wines with the rest of the world thanks to their popularity. Israel’s diverse environments and terrains play an important role in shaping the distinct grape flavors that define the country’s finest wines.
Winemaking in Israel can be traced back to when the first wine trading routes were created between Mesopotamia and Egypt during ancient times. Winemaking in the country faced several setbacks throughout the medieval era, but the industrialization of the country led to great developments and progress in winemaking that affects viticulture to this day.
There are more than 120 indigenous grape varieties in Israel that are used to make rich wines with authentic, distinctive flavors. Marawi grapes are native to Israel and are found around the Judean Hills. They are typically aged eight months in oak barrels to create wine that combines well with white fish and tropical fruit. Bittuni grapes are another native grape variety found in the Judean Mountains. After aging the grapes in oak barrels for about nine months, the resulting wine pairs well with pasta dishes and vegetable salads. Argaman grapes are located in Upper Galilee and are dried appassimento to create wine that complements dishes like roasted veal and braised eggplant.
Israel has produced numerous award-winning, top-quality wines that were once nearly impossible to taste anywhere else in the world—until now, as wine concierges are making them more accessible than ever before. Learn more about how you can buy wine in Israel in the infographic below:
Source: Cork and Cellar