When Jeff of Food Wine Click!  mentioned that we had an opportunity to receive samples from Yarden Wines for an additional #WinePW weekend, I jumped at the chance to receive samples. It seemed like an amazing way to spend Memorial Day Weekend. He wrote his preview post last week which you can find here

I first wrote about Yarden in 2009 when I heard about them from a friend from the International Wine Center who was Israeli and with whom I did the diploma class. At that time I was very taken with their Cabernet Sauvignon.

The wine had a beautiful ruby red color and an enveloping bouquet of red and black fruits, spice, oak and a hint of tar and tobacco. On the palate it was meaty with leather, cedar and spicy flavors. It was well balanced, held its age very well and was persistent. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Thinking of all the history in Israel, it’s worthwhile to ponder for a moment is Israel should be considered an old or new world wine country. Wine has been made since Biblical times in Israel of course but a modern industry was started only in 1983. Initially wines were made in the Golan Heights but now there are over many wineries throughout the country.

Grape varieties used include international varietals from France such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir. They have also had success with Rhone varieties such as Viognier, Syrah, Petit Syrah and Carignan. Some Barbera, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and Gewurztraminer, and White Riesling are also grown. They are also experimenting with many grapes and some ancient ones

I love this pastoral image from Yarden’s website. At times, it can be easy to forget that Israel is an agricultural country.  I have never visited Israel despite having family there and of course a religious and cultural link to the county. My grandparents all visited and someday so will I. For now, I travel there through the wines.

Yarden has two wineries Golan Heights Winery and Galil Mountain Winery and many brands.

This will pair perfectly with the Chardonnay and lucky for me, I have some left in the bottle. Thank you Yarden for the samples and Jeff for the effort to put this together.

Join us today for our wine pairing weekend buddies and get  some great ideas to try with Yarden Wines. Why not join our conversation on today, Saturday, May 23 10:00-11:00am CDT. Just look us up at #WinePW on Twitter and jump in the chat!

• Terri at Our Good Life shares “Grilled Mahi Mahi and Gilgal Sauvignon Blanc. Our Good Life”
• Gwendolyn at Wine Predator shares “The Eternal Light Shines in Galilee: Yarden Merlot, Pinot Gris”
• Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm shares “Lamb Stuffed Eggplant and a perfect Wine from Galilee”
• Deanna at Asian Test Kitchen shares “Yarden Wines Paired with Japanese Surf ‘n Turf”
• Rupal at Syrah Queen shares “Off The Beaten Path – Two Wines From Isreal’s Galilee Appellation”
• Linda at My Full Wine Glass shares “Of Israeli wines, long-ago memories, and Harvey’s takeout”
• David at Cooking Chat shares “Pairings for Gilgal Sauvignon Blanc from Israel”
• Payal at Keep the Peas shares “Israeli Wine with the Diverse Cuisine of the Diaspora”
• Nicole at Somms Table shares “Memories of Yarden Wines with a side of Meatball Shakshuka”
• Jennifer at Vino Travels shares “Pairings with Wines from Israel”
• Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla shares “Peppered Brisket, Honeyed Onions, and the 2106 Galil Mountain ‘Ela’”
• Pinny at Chinese Food and Wine Pairings shares “Enjoying Gilgal Cab Sauvignon – Merlot and Yarden Pinot Gris with Grilled Wagyu Steak, Alaska Sockeye Salmon and Poke Ahi Tuna Bowl”
• Jeff at Food Wine Click! shares “Two Fisted Wine Pairing with Yarden Wines”
• and here at Avvinare I am sharing “Visiting Israel for Memorial Day Through Yarden Wines”