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Israeli Wine Varieties
The most common grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon (The best awards for Israeli wines & the premier wine of each winery tends to be with this grape), Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Others include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Johannisberg Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Muscat Canelli. Of the newer varieties, Syrah/Shiraz was noted as the most promising. Numerous other varieties are available - from Petit Verdot to Viognier. Zinfindel has also come to be planted, thanks to the influx of California-trained winemakers. Petite Sirah is similarly undergoing somewhat of a revival due to the California- and Australia-trained winemakers, as well as abandonment of the inferior clones. There are no longer any indigenous varieties, as the vineyards of antiquity were uprooted early during the first period of Muslim rule, although the Muscat of Alexandria, prominent in the Eastern Mediterranean and used to make dessert wines, comes closest. Emerald Riesling, a cross between Johannisberg Riesling and Muscadelle, is a variety which succeeded in Israel more than in California, where it was originally introduced.
Tags: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Israeli Wine Varieties, Johannisberg Riesling, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Zinfindel Discussion
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It is a shame that the indigenous varietals are no longer around. Methinks it would be an entertaining pleasure to drink red varietals that perhaps Jesus Christ drank in his time.