03.08.2009
A new book of great interest to the wine loving Jewish world has just been published. It is ‘Rogov’s Guide To Kosher Wines 2010’, published by Toby Press. The book lists the best 500 kosher wines in the world. It is written by Daniel Rogov, the world’s premier critic on both Israeli and kosher wines and is the first book ever to focus specifically on Kosher wine.
The book is attractively presented in the small, hard cover format used by the likes of Hugh Johnson and Oz Clarke for their pocket wine books. It is also similar in style to ‘Rogov’s Guide To Israeli Wines,’ which is published annually by the same author & publisher.
From the allocation of space in the book, it is obvious that the majority of kosher wines are made in California, France and Israel. However it will surprise many that there are so many other countries producing kosher wine. For example wines from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, Cyprus, Hungary, Portugal, Spain and South Africa also appear.
The book features the wines of the two giants of the kosher wine scene. Carmel Winery, the world’s largest producer of kosher wine, is featured under Israel. The Royal Wine Corp., the world’s largest importer and distributor of kosher wine, does not itself feature, but most of their various wines do. Each of their brands are listed under the heading of the different countries where they are made.
The book offers a concise explanation of what determines a kosher wine and discusses the concept of mevushal wines. Rogov credits the crossover to quality dry, kosher wines to the pioneering efforts of three wineries: Hagafen and Herzog Cellars in California and the Golan Heights Winery in Israel in the 1980’s.
The 500 best kosher wines are listed with Rogov’s tasting notes and scores out of 100.
The scores in the book confirm that the greatest depth of quality kosher wines seem to come from Israel. The few wineries with a prestigious five stars, which can claim to be the finest wineries producing kosher wines in the world, are: Domaine du Castel, Golan Heights Winery and Yatir Winery from Israel, and Covenant, Hagafen Winery and Herzog Wine Cellars from California.
The highest individual scores were awarded to the following wines, each scoring 94 points or more:
Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2006
Chateau Guiraud, Sauternes 2001
Hagafen, Prix Melange, Napa Valley 2004
Herzog Generation VII, To Kalon, Napa Valley 2006
Yarden El Rom Cabernet Sauvignon, Golan Heights 2004, 2005
Yatir Forest, Judean Hills 2005
Intriguingly there are some very famous wineries in the book, which are more well-known for their non kosher wines. This list includes wines of the caliber of Laurent Perrier, Chateau Valandraud, Chateau Smith Haut Lafite, Chateau Leoville Poyferre and Chateau Pontet Canet. However each has made batches of kosher wines, and Rogov gives his views and scores.
Daniel Rogov is the perfect person to write such a guide. He undoubtedly tastes more kosher wine than anyone else in the world. He is the wine & food critic of Haaretz, the quality newspaper of Israel and he contributes to Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Guide and Tom Stevenson’s Wine Report. His annually published Rogov’s Guide To Israeli Wines, is sold in book shops all over the English speaking world.
The book is published by Toby Press, www.tobypress.com and costs NIS 99 shekels in Israel and US$ 19.95 in America.
I buy Israeli wines in my country (Not for Israelis)
