At the height of the stagnation, the owners of the wineries and winemakers took solace in the increasing domestic consumption • The financial results will be revealed during the holidays • And also: a review of wines for Passover
Alcohol for the holiday: They make you order in a hurry
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Passover eve is a time of soul-searching in the wine industry, where about a third of the wine's annual sales are traditionally made.
When we met about a year ago the biggest players in the industry, the owners of the wineries, distributors and importers - the feelings they raised were difficult.
Closure, depression, people have no desire to buy or drink, nor can they go out.
Wineries closed one after another.
But it seems that pretty soon reality has started to bubble out of the bottle, especially now, when the institutional market has finally returned to activity, and the home wines, which have become routine breaks in the absence of bars, are joining all the Blaine of your people Israel.
"It's true that the corona caught the industry unprepared," says Shlomi Tzur, CEO of the import and distribution company "Tzur - a world of wine", "but very quickly everyone recovered, picked up digital sales platforms and made the necessary adjustments, so in this year's summary We are even seeing an increase in sales and consumption compared to previous years.
Who knows, maybe the corona broke the barrier of consuming seven liters of wine per person on average, which for many years stuck the local market. "
And how do you sum up the corona period?
Tzur: "Look, it is clear that private wine consumption in Israel has risen. Contrary to the predictions of the beginning of the corona, people are praising themselves, and buying more wine and more quality wine. We have seen an increase in Israeli wine sales, but certainly also in imported wines, starting with the popular Muscat 'Bartanura' In the blue bottle, to the luxury wines from Bordeaux, Chevalier, Rioja or California. You can also see this in the sales channels - there is a demand from more and more retailers, even those that are not traditionally from the wine industry, to bring quality wines into their business. If ever a neighborhood deli or even a flower shop "They would hold some basic bottles for 'decorating the shelf', because we see a beautiful awakening there and a demand for a variety of wines at all price levels."
Oshri Maiost, director of health and growth engines at Shufersal, also shares the feelings.
"We consider the Corona period from the previous March, and we see large increases in wine purchases. Since Rosh Hashanah we have also had end-of-year and Purim celebrations, around which there was even a further increase in wine consumption online. Keep in mind that duty free is closed and restaurants are closed, so consumption has moved home. "There are a lot of family meals and home entertainments. The culture of home consumption of wine and alcohol has developed greatly. It is quite possible that when we return to normalization it will moderate. People will go back to consuming wine outside, but I think 'the water has gone up'.
Do you identify a particular segment where the increase was more dramatic?
Maiost: "The increase in white wine consumption was higher than what we saw in red wines, and the increase in pink rosé wines is even greater than in white. In addition, the world of premium wines (60 shekels and more per bottle) has increased significantly by 80% compared to what That was before the epidemic.The reason is clear: wine they drank in restaurants is now coming into the house.We also saw that online growth in the last year is more than 100% when the branches have grown 'only' by% 20 soon to go up with a dedicated site within our site , Which will bring together premium wines from all Israeli boutique wineries and where, in addition to exclusive sales of the high series that will not be available in the branches, there will also be a lot of information about the wines, wineries and winemakers. We have set up a dedicated warehouse for premium products sold on the above site. Within a day of the order. "
And how do you prepare for Passover?
Maiost: "Passover is traditionally a wine holiday, so we celebrated with some exclusive wines such as Gamla Blanco and Gamla Gewurztraminer of the Golan Heights Winery. We brought to Israel exclusively a variety of Spanish wines: Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay, three for NIS 100. We must not forget the favorite grape juice that stars every Passover. We have great grape juice in our private label, and next to it 'Tirosh' from Carmel Wineries. They also came out with a new product that seems to be a hit - carbonated mustard. "
"Became an everyday product"
Barkan Wineries from the Tempo Group are the largest wine producers in Israel.
Nir Gal, deputy CEO of the company, releases a sigh of relief. “Overall this year has been much less terrible than it looked at first.
A winery of the same size as ours is based, among other things, on the institutional industry - restaurants, hotels, halls and event gardens, where, as is well known, everything was closed and there was no activity.
On the other hand, the so-called ‘hot market’, i.e. the retail chains and wine shops, has grown dramatically, so there has been a balance.
We also sell directly through the internet under the platform of a blender site from Tempo, but relative to our size, sales there are negligible.
A small winery that sells 20,000-10,000 bottles online is significant for him, while for us, 100,000 bottles is still a small amount that constitutes a few percent of the turnover. "
So what has changed since the outbreak of the plague?
Gal: "We recognize that the corona has increased the culture of daily wine consumption at home. If wine used to be on the table only at festive meals, then in many cases it has become an everyday product, and we of course welcome that. I estimate the new consumption habits will remain with us even after the corona. "Therefore, in the long run, we are optimistic. In addition, we see that the trend of recent years of increasing consumption of white wines continues."
Up to NIS 50
Chardonnay, 20 Derech Eretz: Chardonnay is happy, fresh and light, produced exclusively for the Derech Hayin chain.
The nose is expressive with a variety of fresh aromas of pineapple and grapefruit, which also continue into the mouth, where it is acidic and fruity (green melon), a little oily and with a slight bitter finish.
Great fun.
And with such a price there are no excuses.
(30 shekels)
Golan, Sauvignon Blanc, 20 Golan Heights: The only new and white player in the Golan series sold in wine shops and restaurants.
On the purity of the variety exhibits typical "Golani" aromas: bright, herbaceous and pronounced mineral, salt water, aromas of green apple and lemon grass and in the mouth tropical fruit - melon, pineapple and fresh passion fruit.
The ending is sour and fun.
Great value for money.
(45 shekels)
Shiraz Private Collection, 2019 Carmel Wineries: From the old and beloved series of the winery.
The color of the wine is dark and shiny, a pleasant aroma of violets, black berries and a little caramel.
On the palate it has a medium body and flattering candy flavors.
Not particularly complex but pleasant and fun to drink.
(NIS 39, before the holiday specials)
Pinotage 19 Cape Joel (South Africa): Pinotage is the national variety of South Africa.
In his homeland he did not succeed in impressing so much, but in his addiction he is a kind of king.
The wine we tasted was endowed with sour fruit aromas, black pepper and even something delicate that reminded us of ripe Camembert cheese.
In a sip its taste was smoky with the body medium and the acidity balanced.
A unique wine for those who are already saturated with the standard varieties and looking for variety.
(50 shekels)
Up to NIS 100
Chenin Blanc, 20 Tavor Winery: The
bricks of Tavor Winery are familiar to every Israeli wine lover.
In this wine, the grapes come from the Mitzpe Ramon vineyard (height 800 meters).
The color of the wine is almost transparent.
Pleasant aromas of guava, pomelo and green almond.
In the mouth it is very balanced, crisp and refreshing, and the finish is not too long.
Spring wine.
(NIS 59)
Cabernet 18 Capital, Zion Wineries: The
old wineries with the old-fashioned darkness are in the process of a home inspection, and present not only a new and clean branding for their wine series but also an impressive improvement in the quality of the wines.
Such is also the Cabernet in front of us - made right, a year in a barrel, fresh purple color, blueberries and eucalyptus in the nose, and plenty of berries on the palate with a pleasant medium body.
Good tannins.
Made well and gives good value for money.
(NIS 59, for two holiday promotions for NIS 100).
Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve, 17 Barkan Wineries:
About two years after Ido Levinson joined the leadership of the winery's winemaking team, you can feel the difference he brought with him.
We tasted Cabernet halfway from the Galilee, which spent 18 months in barrels, and remained elegant and pleasant.
Its color is purple, cherry and peppery in the nose, with a subtle addition of anise and mint.
Medium-full body and good acidity.
A solid and pleasant surprise in the glass.
(75 shekels)
Joseph Cabernet, 18 Har Bracha Winery:
From the entrance series of the boutique winery at the top of Har Bracha.
Ten months in a barrel and without any filtration.
In the nose freshly chopped grass, green pepper and cloves alongside dark fruits when sour plum.
Medium body, young and tanny.
Let him breathe a little before you sip (79 shekels).
Alma Adom, 2018 Dalton Winery:
A wine that has become a series and has already numbered four wines, and now also receives a new, young and beautiful design.
The one in front of us was installed from 55% Shiraz, 40% Grenache and Carignan completion, and stayed 15 months in the barrel.
It has a cherry character, a scent of skin, chocolate and herbs alongside a hint of smoky sausage.
Medium body is full of joy.
In the style of the Rhone Valley but very Israeli-Galilean.
(NIS 79)
Merlot Shiraz, 18 Dede Winery
: A cult winery with many fans that does not get much exposure.
This blend consists of Merlot (60%) and Shiraz (40%) and has been soaked in oak barrels for about a year and a half. , Which continues the character of the berries. Open the bottle at least two hours before drinking. (NIS 99)
Granache, 2015 Ramon Cardova (Spain):
From one of the largest wineries in the Rioja area comes this wonderful granache (the grunch, for you ...).
Even though he is already six years old, his ruby is deep colored, with a ripe black fruit nose, some coffee, cocoa, hints of roasting and herbs.
When sipped from it, a full velvety body is revealed, spicy as it were, wide and complex and with unique characteristics and a lasting finish.
magnificent.
(99 shekels)
NIS 100 and up
Jerusalem Heritage, 2018 Jerusalem Wineries: A
unique blend created exclusively for the Bana Beverages chain, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
The wine was aged for 18 months in French barrels, with a deep reddish-oval hue, with cherry and pomegranate aromas with a bit of eucalyptus.
The palate is elegant and peppery, as well as a hint of anise, a medium and elegant body and a balanced acidity.
Bordeaux classic.
(NIS 109)
Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Carmi Yosef Winery (Barbados):
12 months in a barrel, 10% Petit Verdot.
Dark Chocolate.
Light green pepper.
Season with white pepper seasoning.
Very young.
Classic Cabernet.
On the palate black fruit and a full body are strong.
An elegant wine made "according to the book".
impressive.
(120 shekels)
Cabernet Dvir, 18 La Pora Blanche Winery:
Bruno Darmon, the winery's winemaker, works wonders from the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes of the unique vineyard 'Field Dog' (near Bunny-Naim).
After a year in barrels, the wine exhibits an amazing purple-burgundy-black color, in the nose a variety of black berries, thyme and green pepper.
It has a full and broad body and a long extension.
A wonderful wine but still very young, and its tannins muscular.
In a year or two it will be much more accessible.
Hold back.
(120 shekels)
Petit Syrah, 2015 Avnei Hachoshen, Binyamina Winery:
Single Vineyard from the Ramat Sirin vineyard.
A gloomy wine that exudes earthy aromas, skin and earth alongside black berries and caramel.
It is very concentrated, with caressing tannins and a powerful presence.
Spicy herbaceous aromas of lavender, thyme and black pepper, alongside black fruits like raspberries and ripe plums.
The wine is concentrated and balanced, with soft tannins, elegance and a long finish.
very impressive.
(130 shekels)
The Lone Oak Boat, Special Edition, 2017 Gush Etzion Winery:
In a normal year, all the winery's boat grapes go into a blend, GSM, but in the 2017 vintage, extraordinary qualities were identified in the grapes absorbed from the old vineyard near Efrat (25 years old) So it was decided to make them a special Zenith edition - and it's good that it was decided.
It has an unfiltered burgundy-oval appearance, a wonderfully fruity nose (blueberries, violets and other red grains) spiced with white pepper and a little mocha.
Full-bodied on the one hand but elegant and accessible on the other, ripe fruit and good tannins.
Indeed special.
(NIS 150)
