Impressions from the KFWE Global Liquor Show and Create Agencies
Published on 02.06.2022
Photo: Rafi Daloia
The world of kosher wine is soaring
After a break of a year, KFWE – Kosher wine & food experience, returns to Israel for the tenth time, the well-known international exhibition that takes place every year in six centers around the world: New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Miami and Tel Aviv.
The exhibition is a well-known and unique international event, bringing to it a variety of senior winemakers and culinary professionals from around the world, as well as many wine lovers. The event was organized by the “Create a World of Wine” group, the leading company in the import of wine and other kosher wines to Israel, in collaboration with the parent company, the international food and beverage corporation “Royal wines”. In which the various winemakers presented and tasted their wines.The two events were held in close proximity to each other, in terms of time and place in the Tel Aviv port – the press event at the Meat Kitchen restaurant and the exhibition in the Trask Club Hall.
I do not remember exactly when it was that I first participated in the kosher wine exhibition of Zur Agencies and KFWE, but it was certainly at least 7 years ago. I well remember the limited tasting hall where the exhibition was held, the amount of kosher wines that were presented in it and my impression of the selection and quality (which was quite lukewarm). Less than a decade has passed since then until the 2022 exhibition and the difference is the difference between heaven and earth. Zur Agencies presents a continuous growth threshold, both in the quantity of wines, in the selection and variety, in the styles, in the countries from which the wines come, and no less importantly – in the quality. The quantity (about 400 different products), the global layout that I will expand on later and the level of wineries and wines presented at this year’s exhibition, including real premium wines, were admirable.
It is unbelievable that so much quality kosher wine is produced today around the world! For wine lovers who adhere to kosher food, it can now be said with a full mouth: the world of wine, old and new, is open and spread out in front of you in almost full width and drama, for their different styles, wine regions and varying and high qualities. True, prices are usually a bit high compared to parallel wines that are not kosher, but we are already used to having to pay for kosher.
Quality wines and kosher alcohol products from all over the globe
Photo: Rafi Daloia
The variety of KFWE’s and Tzur Agencies’ import wines, which actually began with several Jewish – owned wineries throughout California, now encompasses many and varied wine regions from around the world. A perusal of the catalog distributed in the exhibition and a long and comprehensive tour of the tasting hall, introduces us to wines that come from, among others, the following wine regions: California of course on its variety of sub-regions; Rioja, Friaret, Monsant and other regions of Spain; Tuscany, Veneto, Piedmont and more from Italy; Stellenbosch in South Africa; A variety of French regions including Champagne, Bordeaux, Rhone Valley, Provence, Chablis, Burgundy, Alsace; Mendoza, Argentina; Ice wine (ice wine) from Canada and of course Israel, where the Sheila, Jezreel Valley and Psagot wineries are represented by Tzur Wineries.
To the international wine celebration is added a long, varied and quality range of other alcohol products: liqueurs from Italy, France and Israel, vodka, whiskey, bourbon, arak, brandy, gin and more from Israel, Scotland, USA, tequila, beers and what not.
As for quality, here are just a few from the list of premium wineries that showcased their kosher wines at the show: Ramon Cordoba – the kosher brand of Ramon Bilbao Winery known for Rioja, Terra di Seta from Tuscany, Champagne House Drapia, Chateau Lascomb from Margo in Bordeaux, Chateau LaVille Popeigna .
The world of wine has long needed no proof that the only connection between quality and kosher is that kosher wines of the highest qualities can be produced. Many of the wines on display at the show have greatly strengthened the positive connection between kosher and quality.
Formal tasting
Photo: Rafi Daloia
I of course had no real chance of tasting even a tenth of the over 400 kosher brands featured at the show. This time I concentrated more on the wines and less on the other alcohol brands and I will nevertheless mention some of the selections, kosher wines made by talented winemakers, which are definitely worth a taste again and much more:
Wines tasted at the press conference:
Bartenora, Prosco Rosa – A very likable prosciutto, made from the varieties Galera and Pinot Noir. Delicate and fruity with a great nose, pleasant fermentation in the palate and a refreshing finish. For 85 NIS, definitely a good buy.
Herzog, Special Reserve Méthode Champenoise vintage 2019 – Sparkling wine made from Chardonnay grapes (100%) according to the traditional method of the Champagne region, which comes from the Russian River Valley area in California, an area known for the quality of sparkling wines produced in it. A wine from a single vineyard, stayed 16 months on the yeast. Nose complex and interesting here elegant and fresh, very tasty finish. Not cheap (250 NIS) but definitely high quality.
Elvi, Herenza white 2020 – White wine from the Allela region in Spain, produced from Sauvignon Blanc and from the lesser known variety – Pansa Blanca, known in the region of Catalonia as Xarel-lo and which is the main variety of CAVA wines. A very pleasant wine to drink with an ability to thrive between 6-8 years in a bottle, which is a good value for the price – only 60 NIS.
Jezreel Valley, Rosa by the Sea 2021 – First launch of the winery’s rosé wine, made from Syrah, Carignan and Gewurztraminer grapes. Rosa is very aromatic and fruity and yet refined, good acidity and a long finish beyond what is acceptable in rosé wines. The price is 95 NIS.
Shiloh Winery, Secret Reserve, Patti Verdo 2019 – A blend of Patti Verdo from three different plots that was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. An impressive wine, very complex in the nose and mouth, ready to drink today and which will continue to thrive in the coming years. Price 145 NIS.
Terra de Sta, Assai Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2016 – Chianti Classico from selected grapes grown in a single vineyard, which was aged for 30 months, 24 of them in French oak barrels. A wonderful vintage year brought with it an excellent Chianti wine, from the highest levels that can be obtained, that if you want more years before it. Excellent wine and at a price of 170 NIS – an excellent purchase.
Other notable wines from the tasting hall:
Herzog, Cabernet Sauvignon Generation IX From the Stags Lip area, Napa Valley California.
Ramon Cordova, Old Wines Reserve From Rioja.
Elvi, Herenza Rioja Reserva 2016
Elvi, EL26 Coming from the Priort region, made from the varieties Samso, Grenache and Syrah
Clos Mesorah From the Spanish Monsant region, varieties: Carignan, Syrah, Grenache.
Villa Cape Grand Reserve Shiraz From Stellenbosch, South Africa. Excellent wine for the price (75 NIS).