RED WINES
The three most heavily planted red wine varieties in Israel today are Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Merlot followed by Shiraz, Argaman and Petite Sirah. Most of the best red wines are either Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Shiraz varietals, or Bordeaux blends based primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Argaman
Argaman comprises 4% of the varieties in Israel. It is exclusively used for inexpensive blends. It is a cross between Carignan and the Portuguese grape Souzao, and its main benefit is it does provide good color. However, apart from this, it is undistinguished and not a great success. It is mainly grown in the central coastal and Judean Plain.

Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is used by some wineries as part of a Bordeaux blend and by others as an interesting, slightly exotic varietal. Recently a few wineries have chosen to specialize in it, seeing it as a variety with a future in Israel. As a blending component, it adds complexity and still hold on to its characteristic herbaceousness in the hotter climate. At its best in the Upper Galilee.

Cabernet Sauvignon
The king of vines in so many countries, it is the same in Israel. Today the finest Israeli wines tend to be Cabernet Sauvignon varietals or Bordeaux blends.
There are more hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon planted than any other variety in Israel, with 22% of the total number of hectares. This translates to 17% of the tonnage at harvest.
The best Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in areas with an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. The Upper Galilee and central to northern Golan Heights are arguably the best region for this most noble of noble varieties.

Carignan
A variety that straddles the history of Israeli wine. Less than 20 years ago, Carignan represented 40% of the grapes planted in Israel. Today, the percentage of Carignan has dropped to 20%. The variety is mainly used in the production of inexpensive wines. However by drastically reducing yields and selecting old vines, wineries have managed to make old vine wines of character and distinction. The best region for Carignan is the southern part of Mount Carmel, which overlooks the Mediterranean.

Merlot
It tends to grow well throughout the country, but never reaches the quality of the best Cabernet Sauvignons. Merlot in Israel is harvested relatively. Most wineries produce a varietal Merlot, which is normally bolstered by 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, but it plays a more significant role in the so called Bordeaux blends.
A great deal of Merlot was planted in the 1990’s and it now represents a 16% of the total.

Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah is a cross between the Syrah and obscure variety Peloursan, and is known as Durif in France. However there is nothing petite about the wines producing powerful, almost black tannic wines. Petite Sirah grows best in the Judean Foothills.

Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is a grape sparingly used in Bordeaux, where it has difficulty ripening in some years. However there are no such problems in Israel, where its structure and color are making it an important part of the premium blends of some major wineries. It appears to do well in a wide variety of places in Israel.

Pinot Noir
A grape too fickle for the hot, humid Israeli climate. Without doubt it is not best suited to Israel. The northern Golan Heights, up to 1,200 meters above sea level, and the cooler parts of the Upper Galilee are the best regions for this variety.

Sangiovese
This famous Tuscan variety rarely performs well outside Italy and even in Italy sometimes gives variable results. Most is planted on the Golan. The majority is used in lesser expensive blends.

Shiraz
Shiraz is a fairly recent new immigrant. Wines produced from the French clone tend to be called Syrah and from the Australian clone, Shiraz. Shiraz is the more commonly used name in Israel. Though now with only just over a 3% share, it is still a minor player. However it is widely regarded as a grape for the future being ideal for the Israeli climate. The best regions for this variety are the Judean Foothills, Judean Hills and Upper Galilee. In fact it shows good results everywhere. This could challenge the Cabernet Sauvignon as Israel’s finest grape variety in the future.

There are other varieties being planted or trialed: Gamay Noir, Malbec, Mourvedre, Pinotage, Tempranillo and Zinfandel.

WHITE GRAPES
The main planted  white varieties are Colombard and Emerald Riesling followed by Muscat of Alexandria, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The main white varieties for the finest white wines are Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. There are also White Rieslings, Gewurztraminers and Viogniers.

 Chardonnay
The finest region for Chardonnay was always considered to be the northern Golan Heights, but some of the finest Chardonnays are now being produced in the rolling hills between the Judean Foothills and the Judean Hills. The part use of stainless steel to reduce the influence of oak in order to preserve green apple aromas and produce better food wines, is the new ‘in’style.

Colombard
French Colombard is Israel’s most heavily planted white variety, at 7% of the total, though it is far less than it was. The variety is grown at its best in the southern Mount Carmel around Zichron Ya’acov. It produces aromatic wines with excellent acidity, but is usually used in inexpensive, fresh fruity white wine blends.

Emerald Riesling
In the 1980’s and 90’s, Emerald Riesling became by far Israel’s largest selling wine. Many new wine lovers were seduced by the very flowery, aromatic nose and spicy finish of these semi dry, sometimes medium, wines. It is usually grown in the coastal regions.
Emerald Riesling was the result of an attempt by the University of California at Davis to produce good yields from a Riesling in a hot climate. It was a cross between the German Riesling and Muscadelle and was created in 1948, ironically the year of the foundation of the State of Israel. In the end it did not take off anywhere – apart from Israel.

Gewurztraminer
Gewurztraminer was planted on the Golan Heights It certainly needs the colder climate of the northern Golan to reach the optimum Gewurztraminer nose. However though good international wines they will never be a match for cooler climate Gewurztraminers from Alsace or New Zealand. By far the most successful Israeli use for the Gewurztraminer grape is in the production of luscious dessert wines.

Muscat of Alexandria
An indigenous grape of the Eastern Mediterranean is the Muscat of Alexandria. It is part of the large Muscat family. This is a big berried grape also used elsewhere to make raisins and table grapes. In Israel it makes a sweet, aromatic, grapey dessert wine. The best area for the Muscat is the central coastal Judean Plain.

Sauvignon Blanc
There has been a revolution in Sauvignon Blancs in the last few years. It was a variety Israelis did not master until recently. Israel will never achieve the grassiness of a Sancerre or the concentration of tropical flavors of a New Zealand Sauvignon. However by planting at higher altitudes, harvesting early and using cold fermentation in stainless steel, the best represent good international standard wines in a fresh, crisp style. The Galilee and the Golan are the best regions for Sauvignon Blanc.

 Viognier
Considering there is so little Viognier planted, there are a surprising number of Viogniers on the market. Though difficult to grow, they appear to produce good wines in the Mediterranean climate.

White Riesling
This variety is often known as Johannisberg Riesling within Israel and White Riesling in export markets. It makes a welcome change to the more rustic Emerald Riesling. It is grown at its best in the northern Golan Heights or Upper Galilee.

Other traditional whites in Israel include Semillon and Chenin Blanc. Muscat Canelli (aka Muscat de Frontignan) has also arrived. Most interesting are experiments with those Mediterranean varieties Marsanne and Roussanne.