The Israeli wine industry is seriously struggling during the war. Read all about it here. So the only choice I’m making when buying wine for my Rosh Hashanah celebrations are which Israeli wines to choose between. 

Here are selection that have caught my eye. 

Reds: 

Barkan Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 £29.99 (mevushal)

Another rich red made from grapes grown in the Upper Galilee. It’s medium to full-bodied with plenty of black, purple and blue fruit flavours with some spicey notes. Pair it with this pulled pomegranate lamb or slow cooked pulled pomegranate lamb. The stunning label and statement bottle would make it a lovely host gift.

Odem Mountain Winery Nebbiolo 2021 £39.99

The Odem Mountain Reserve Nebbiolo 2021 is a non mevushal red wine from Israel's northernmost winery, Odem Mountain Winery. The family run winery is located in the heart of an oak forest and the grapes for this are grown in the Valley of Tears — the site of a battle during the 1973 war. Made by the Alfasi family, it’s one of few Nebbiolos made in Israel. It’s aged in oak it has spicy notes and a drier fruit flavours including cherry. A great gift for the wine lover as this one will age well. Stick with red meats like a slow cooked brisket to match this fuller bodied red.

Tulip Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 £22.99

You’ll be making a double mitzvah if you buy this rich red from one of Israel’s largest boutique wineries, which celebrates its 21st birthday this year. Founder and CEO, Roy Yitzhaki, created the enterprise as a way of giving back to Kfar Tikvah (the village of hope) a community of more than 200 adults with emotional or developmental disabilities. Many of the winery workers are from the community.
The wine itself – which includes 5% each of Carignan and Viognier — is full of dark fruit flavours and would be great paired with theese Moroccan spiced pomegranate lamb shanks or this baked salmon with caramelised onions and figs.

Jezreel Alfa 2021 £24.99

This mevushal blend of Syrah, Argaman and Cabernet Sauvignon was created by this boutique winery as a tribute to Jewish history in the Jezreel valley. Beit Alfa is an ancient synagogue, from the Second Temple period and is famous for its mosaics. It’s a rich red that would pair well with your new year brisket or roast chicken.

Tishbi Cabernet Syrah 2019 £17.99

A lighter, fruity red with plenty of red and some darker fruit flavours. It is made with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Petite Syrah and is mevushal. It will stand up nicely with roast chicken recipes like this my easiest ever Rosh Hashanah chicken dish ever — a no-fuss traybake filled with fruit, olives and salty capers.

Pink and fizz: 

Dalton Petnat Rosé £24.99

This is a perennial favourite of mine as not only is it light and very easy to drink, but the label screams ‘gift’. Who wouldn’t love to receive this lightly sparkling wine (pictured in the middle above) in super cute bottle with the beautiful label and functional cap? I’d serve it as an aperitive with snacks and nibbles — smoked salmon blinis; salty friend snacks and roasted nuts would all be brilliant. I’d also buy it to support winemaker, Alex Haruni, British-born owner of the winery, who shared with me the difficulties he and his industry are suffering during the war. I’d pair it with my goat’s cheese and honey dip with balsamic roasted grapes. Make individual canapes and serve with frosty flutes of cold Petnat to sip.

Carmel Pink Moscato £14.99

For those with sweeter tastes or to serve with a Rosh Hashanah high tea, this non mevushal Carmel Pink Moscato is a great pick. It’s sweet and fruity with fresh berry flavours including raspberry, strawberry and a little pomegranate. Perfect for new year’s gatherings. A lovely host gift or to serve at your own gathering. Gorgeous with fruit dessert like my candied apple tart with zesty honey cream.

Five Stones D vs G dry rosé 2017 £32.99

More symbolism behind the story of this winery situated in the Judean Hills. Five Stones’s growers chose to make wine in the Elah Valley, where David fought Goliath. The story runs through the brand with the D vs G referring back to the biblical battle between the boy with the sling and the giant man. This non-mevushal, salmon pink wine is full of tropical fruits and would make a fabulous partner for my harissa griddled tuna with pomegranate and cucumber salsa. Or a great pre-dinner drink with mezze dips and challah.