Jezreel Winery Argaman (OK Kosher) 2017
Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesDeeply coloured, near-black, inky wine full of sweet, ripe black fruits, red fruits and cassis. This wine has a silky texture, ripe, fine grained tannins and benefits from the confident and capable use of sweet oak. The long finish gives plenty of time to reflect on this little known Israeli grape.
The Jezreel Valley Boutique Winery was established in 2012 and is located in the northern part of the valley in Hanaton. The winery specializes in growing and producing wines from the Syrah, Carignan, and Crimson varieties, as well as Viognier and Gewurztraminer, from the perception that these varieties are particularly suitable for growing in Israel.
The wines made from them demonstrate the incredible quality that our country has to offer in wine. Exceptional adherence to uncompromising quality from the growing stage in the vineyards to the bottle is integrated with an uncompromising concept of adapting the wines to the Israeli climate and cuisine.
With a rich history of wine production dating back to biblical times, Israel is a part of the cradle of wine civilization. Here, wine was commonly used for religious ceremonies as well as for general consumption. During Roman times, it was a popular export, but during Islamic rule around 1300, production was virtually extinguished. The modern era of Israeli winemaking began in the late 19th century with help from Bordeaux’s Rothschild family. Accordingly, most grapes grown in Israel today are made from native French varieties. Indigenous varieties are all but extinct, though oenologists have made recent attempts to rediscover ancient varieties such as Marawi for commercial wine production.
In Israel’s Mediterranean climate, humidity and drought can be problematic, concentrating much of the country’s grape growing in the north near Galilee, Samaria near the coast and at higher elevations in the east. The most successful red varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, while the best whites are made from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Many, though by no means all, Israeli wines are certified Kosher.
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.