Red Wine Vitkin Carignan 2019. Decant up to an hour before serving. The owners of Vitkin Winery in the Judaean hills take their experimentation seriously. Run by a merging of two families, this young kosher winery has employed the clay-rich soil of the Judaean Hills to marvelous effect, elevating grapes that other local wineries often overlook. One example of this is Vitkin’s revival of the Carignan, an underrated French grape. Due to overplanting in the 1970s, Carignan has long had a reputation for being a workhorse” wine. However, through careful craft, those at Vitkin Winery are pioneering quality Carignan in Israel, and giving this grape the attention and care it thoroughly deserves. A beautiful deep purple in colour, this 2019 vintage has a rich red-fruit and blackberry nose, accompanied by rounded plum and cherry tastes on the palate and hints of vanilla. The natural spice flavourings of Carignan come through, with notes of cinnamon, star anise, and mint, letting you know that this comes from the sultry heart of the Mediterranean sea. Carignan is an ideal companion for food, and this bottle is no exception. It marries well with roasted pork, turkey, or duck. Best enjoyed with a degree of spiciness, expanding on the spice of the wine by adding the likes of cinnamon, cumin, and star anise to your dish.
2019
Red Wine Vitkin Carignan 2019
Red Wine Vitkin Petite Sirah 2019. Decant for 30 minutes or longer before serving, according to preference. Beginning in 2002 with 2 experimental vineyards planted in the heart of the Judaean Hills, Vitkin Winery has grown into one of the most intriguing wine producers in Israel. The family-owned boutique winery has a penchant for innovation, striving to develop Israel’s wine culture by experimenting with what can be done in the warm Mediterranean climate. This involves a commitment to using Israeli varietals that have often been overlooked, such as Carignan, French Columbard, and in this case, the mighty Petite Sirah. The aroma of black fruit comes to the fore, with notes of blackberry, cherry, and ripe plum. While the wine itself is young and lively, the fruits are sourced from 45-year-old vineyards in the clay-rich Judaean Hills. It is medium to full-bodied, with a long finish and notes of smoke and chocolate lingering on the palate. This kosher-certified Petite Sirah rounds out after half an hour, but as with other examples of this varietal, it can be left airing for upwards of 2 hours. Enjoy through to 2030, and pair it with food that is equally as hearty, such as roasted meats or rich cheese.
2019
Red Wine Winiveria Mukuzani 2019. It can benefit from some decanting. Winiveria is the Chateau Mere winery in the ancient Kakheti wine region of Georgia. The company itself was founded in 2005 by George Piradashivili, while the Chateau Mere resort with its agritourism area, accommodations, and restaurant opened its doors in 2011, becoming a perfect base for wine-loving travelers, who want to discover the local culture and wines. Winiveria produces both European-style and traditional Kakheti wines with local grape varieties such as Kisi, Khikhvi, Kakhetian Mtsvane, Rkatsiteli and Saperavi. The grapes come from local growers and from vines aged between 20 and 25 years.
2019