More American wine enthusiasts are becoming interested in Israeli wines, and for good reason. The unique flavors of Israel’s finest wines can be attributed to the country’s varied soils, wide range of landscapes, and contrasting regional climates.
Israel also has a long history of winemaking that dates back to the ancient period between 4,000s B.C.E and 3,000s B.C.E). Viticulture was shared during this time on the first wine trading routes created between Mesopotamia and Egypt. The spread of winemaking practices experienced a setback when Muslim conquest and the rise of the Ottoman Empire in 1099 C.E. outlawed winemaking due to religious restrictions on alcohol intake. However, Crusader states managed to briefly revive winemaking by planting grape vines in various places around the country, however, Islamic takeover and the Jewish Diaspora put a halt to Israel’s winemaking legacy once again.
Nonetheless, the practice was revived when the country industrialized. Baron Edmond de Rothschild played a significant role in the development and spread of winemaking in Israel. He imported grape varieties, built some of the country’s first modern wineries, and planted various vineyards that laid the foundation for Israel’s wine industry as we know it today.
Israel now has more than 120 varieties of indigenous grapes, including Marawi; Argaman—one of the top ten most planted red grape vines in Israel; and Bittuni—a variety occasionally considered to be associated with King David or Jesus. Israel’s best wines have struggled to reach the tables of those outside of Israel, but with the efforts of wine concierges, more people around the globe can experience the rich flavors of Israeli wines.
Source: CorkAndCellar.net