Israel, Cyprus, Lebanon, Turkey & Georgia Flashcards
Where and when Baron Lafite Rothschild established in Israel?
Mount Carmel 1887. He sent French experts to help establish vineyards. Taken with the landscape and potential near Mount Carmel, he dedicated further resources to transform the area into a fine wine region, with cuttings from the Lafite vineyard. The winery he built continues to operate today as Carmel.
What invented Simcha Blass in Israel?
Drip irrigation by Simcha Blass in the mid-20th century. Technology was adopted by the global wine industry,
Golan Heights Winery?
Founded in 1983 was another turning point for the industry. After successful experimental plantings by UC Davis Professor Cornelius Ough, Golan Heights demonstrated the region’s potential for fine wine crafted using contemporary techniques.
What is Kosher Winemaking?
There are varying kosher certifications, but the foundational principle is that once harvested, grapes and wine are only to be handled by Sabbath-observing Jews. Many of Israel’s winemakers cannot engage in the physical activities of winemaking, nor even touch their own barrels. All additives, such as fining agents, yeasts, and even cleaning materials, must also be kosher certified.
Red varieties in Israel?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah Old vine Carignan
What is Argaman grape?
A cross of Carignan and Souzão first crossed in 1972 by Pinchas Spiegel-Roy in Beit Dagan at the Agricultural Research Organization’s Volcani Center.
White varieties in Israel?
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. Despite climatic conditions, quality examples of Riesling and Gewürztraminer can also be vinified.
Indigenous grape varieties from Israel?
W: Marawi, Dabouki, Jandali R: Baladi Asmar and Bittuni
Where is located the mountainous area of Golan Heights?
- Northernmost area, divided into Upper and Lower Golan (Mount Hermon); - Vineyards reach up to 1200mt; - Volcanic Plateau (Tufa and Basalt).
Where is Galilee?
- North, largest wine regions; - Vineyards reach up to 1000mt (Mount Tabor); - mix soil of limestone, volcanic soils, and terra rossa; - Divided in East, West, and Lower Galilee.
Where is Coastal Plain?
- Close to Tel Aviv (Mediterranean); - Israel’s hottest and most humid conditions.
Where is Judean Hills?
- South between Coast and Central Mountains (inland); - vineyards from 300 to 1000mt; - terra rossa soil with limestone.
Central Mountains?
The Central Mountain range also sees viticultural activity further north in the historic Mount Carmel area, home to the original Rothschild plantings around Zikhron Ya’akov and Binyamina. The area experiences more protected coastal influence from the Mediterranean. Just south, the Shomron Hills region is a relatively young area at higher elevations. The Central Mountains conclude with the Yatir Forest.
Where is Negev?
Further south, desert area and scarcely planted.
Israel wine regions (5-not official yet)?
- Galilee (Golan Heights and the Galilee) - Shomron (upper Central Mountains) - Judean Hills - Samson (Coastal Plain and Judean Foothills) - Negev
When did Lebanon’s modern winery start?
- 1857, when Jesuit missionaries established Château Ksara, today Lebanon’s largest producer.
- François-Eugène Brun founded the nearby and still-operating Domaine des Tourelles in 1868
Most renowned and old wineries in Lebanon?
Château Ksara, Château Musar, Domaine des Tourelles, and Château Nakad.
When did Lebanon wine start to become known in Europe?
Serge Hochar brought Château Musar to the 1979 Bristol Wine Fair, where his wines were praised by renowned critic and auctioneer Michael Broadbent, bringing new attention to Lebanon’s wines.
Where is located Beeka Valley?
Between Lebanon Mountain and Mount Hermon (Israel Golan Heights border)
Beeka Valley climatic conditions?
- The Bekaa Valley rests between these two mountain ranges, at roughly 900 to 1,000 meters in elevation.
- Mount Lebanon barricades the Bekaa from Mediterranean humidity, while the Anti-Lebanon range shields the valley from the Syrian desert’s heat.
- The Litani River, which frequently runs dry in the summer months.
Beeka Valley soil?
Alluvial
Lebanon grape varieties?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, Viognier, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscat.
Lebanon Indigenous grape varieties?
W: Obaideh and Merweh
Lebanon spirit Arak? Method of production?
Unsweetened grape-derived spirit. Arak undergoes multiple distillations (typically two to four), most traditionally in a Moorish copper still, with anise seed added before the final distillation. The spirit is then aged in cloth-covered clay amphorae. For serving, arak is typically cut with two parts water to one part spirit, which gives it a cloudy appearance, similar to absinthe when diluted.
The soil of Cyprus and the most important mountain?
Cyprus is blanketed in various volcanic-derived soils, particularly along with the central Troodos Mountain range, around which most vines are cultivated.
What is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in the world?
Commandaria
Cyprus indigenous grapes?
The native red Mavro and white Xynisteri (bush vines).
How Commandaria is made?
The Commandaria PDO spans 14 villages in south-central Cyprus.
The native red Mavro and white Xynisteri are harvested from bush vines, then sun-dried for about two weeks. While Commandaria must be vinified within the appellation boundaries, it can be aged outside the region.
Today, two divergent expressions of Commandaria can be found: non-vintage, fortified wines composed primarily of Mavro made at the larger firms, and vintage-dated, unfortified examples with a higher concentration of Xynisteri.
Commandaria producers companies?
Four large beverage companies—KEO, Etko, Sodap, and Loel
Cyprus PGI? (4)
Larnaka, Lemesos (Limassol), Lefkosia (Nicosia), and Pafos
PDO’s of Cyprus? (7)
Commandaria
Pitsilia
Krasochoria Lemesou (the Winemaking of Limassol)
Krasochoria Lemesou-Laona
Krasochoria Lemesou-Afames
Vouni Panayia-Ampelitis
Laona Akama
Cyprus main grape varieties?
R: Mavro, Maratheftiko and Yiannoudin, and French varieties;
W: Xinisteri, Promara and Morokanella
Has Phylloxera ever reached Cyprus?
Phylloxera never reached Cyprus, so vines are largely planted on their own rootstocks.
Turkish spirit?
rakı, an anise-flavored grape spirit (similar to arak).
Turkish International varieties?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, and Tempranillo.
Turkish Indigenous grape varieties?
R: Öküzgözü**, whose name translates to “bull’s eye” due to its large berries, delivers softly tannic, fruity red wines with elevated acidity. **Kalecik Karası** also offers young-drinking wines, while wines from **Boğazkere**, whose name means “throat puckerer” for its acidity, demonstrate the greatest aging potential. Other indigenous red grapes include **Çalkarası, Papazkarası,** and **Karasakız.
W: Narince** yields mid-weight, Chardonnay-like wines with an affinity for oak, while **Emir** has a crisper character. **Yapıncak** and **Sıdalan are other white grapes to know.
Turkey main wine regions?
- Aegean;
- Anatolia;
- Mediterranean;
- Marmara;
*Main climatic influences: Marmara sea, Aegean sea, and Black sea
NB: The best vineyard are located on the west side of Istanbul at the border with Thrace (Greece) and Bulgaria
The main regions of Georgia? (5)
Ajara
Imereti
Kartli
Racha-Lechkhumi
Kateti
The most important grapes in Georgia?
W: Rkatsiteli, Mtsvani
R: Saperavi
Style: semi-sweet white and reds
