ProWein 2014: Wine pleasure from the heights of Israel Israel presents top-quality wine from Galilee and the Judean Hills 20 March 2014, Berlin "LeChaim" will be the word to spread on the international trade fair ProWein, which will take place from 23 - 25 March in Düsseldorf. Eight wineries from the vineyards of Galilee and the Judean Hills, which are perched high in the mountains of Israel, are inviting guests to the Israeli Pavilion hosted by the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute (IEICI) and the Israel Trade Center in Berlin, at Hall 02, stand C03. The fact that – compared with other national wine industries – the young Israeli wine scene doesn’t shy away from international competition has been proven by with the multi gold award-winning wines such as Galilee by Rimon Winery, Yarden Chardonnay by Golan Heights Winery, Meron by Galil Mountain Winery and Petite Sirah by Recanati Winery. "Israel’s high-perched wine growing regions offer the best preconditions to create international top-quality wines. What makes our wines so successful is mainly the combination of prevailing geological and microclimatic conditions and our winegrowers’ international experience and training”, says Yaara Shimony, Manager, Wine and Fresh Produce at IEIC. Geological conditions include mainly Galilee’s fertile volcanic basalt and tufa soils, as well as the Judean Hills‘ limey and stony soils. Together with the long hours of Mediterranean sun, the high altitude and the cool sea breezes moving through the mountains, the grapes develop their particular taste reflecting the ‘Terroir’. Israel’s well known urge for innovation is also a big benefit for its winemakers. With the most modern irrigation technologies and international experience they squeeze the best out of the grapes. One of the oldest wine-growing regions of the world takes great pride in offering wines of the highest quality today. You are welcome to put the wineries to the test from Sunday to Tuesday, at ProWein 2014. The wines are produced by wineries from Galilee such as Bazelet Hagolan Winery, Galil Mountain Winery, Golan Heights Winery, Rimon Winery and Recanati Winery. The latter also offers wines from its vineyards in the Judean Hills, the same as Jerusalem Wineries, Teperberg 1870 Winery and Tzora Vineyards. The wines that will be presented at the show include: Bubblepom and Galilee Premium (Rimon Winery) Viognier, Meron and Yiron (Galil Mountain Winery) Petite Sirah, Yasmin White and Wild Carignan (Recanati Winery) Shoresh, Judean Hills and Neve Ilan Blanc (Tzora Vineyards) Terra Malbec, Meritage and Terra Merlot (Teperberg 1870 Winery) Wines from the series Yarden, Gamla and Hermon (Golan Heights Winery) Wines from the series Ugav, Nikanor and Ein Karem (Jerusalem Wineries) Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (Bazelet Hagolan Winery) For further information about these Israeli wineries, as well as to schedule meetings or interviews at ProWein 2014, please contact: Stephanie Schmitz media consulta International Holding AG Phone: +49 (0) 221 65000-331 Email: [email protected] __________________________________________________________________________ About the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute (IEICI) The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute promotes cooperation opportunities, joint ventures and strategic alliances between Israeli companies and partners around the world. The IEICI is a non-profit organisation and is supported by the Israeli government. For more information please visit: www.export.gov.il. About Israel Trade Center Israel Trade Center in Berlin is the Commercial Department of the Embassy of Israel. It operates in a wide range of activities throughout Germany. It focuses on activities and services aiming at the promotion of trade and joint ventures between Israel and Germany in many different ways, such as organizing B2B-matchmaking events for all kinds of industries, assisting Israeli companies in penetrating the German market and finding cooperation partners for R&D projects. http://itrade.gov.il/germany Factsheet Bazelet Hagolan Winery 1999 Ltd. Address: Kidmat-Zvi, PO Box 77, Golan Heights, 12421, Israel Contact: Mr. Yoav Levi, CEO Phone: +972 4 6965010 Email: [email protected] Website: www.bazelet-halogan.co.il The winery: Established in 1998 by Yoav Levy and Assaf Kedem, Bazelet Hagolan Winery got its name from the geological foundation on which the grapevines grow. While they started as Winegrowers who simply sold their grapes to other winemakers, they soon developed a new passion for winemaking themselves. Equipped with the necessary experience and knowledge from courses in Israel and abroad they first started with the variety they knew best – Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2003, after Assaf left the company in order to start his own business, Yoav became the sole owner. While Cabernet Sauvignon is the first and most precious love of Yoav, he also expanded the product range to Merlot and Chardonnay. On the fringe of a wood, alongside a rich watersource and with a wide view over the Sea of Galilee, the winery profits from the fertile and rich bazelet soil of the Golan Heights. The special climate adds to the quality of Bazelet Hagolan Winery wines. The harvest on the two vineyards in the Golan Heights – 40 hectares at an elevation of 500 metres and 40 additional hectares at an elevation on 900m above sea level – is done manually with a strict monitoring of the ripeness of the cluster and no compromises on the quality. Currently the winery produces 80,000 bottles a year from his two high-quality wines Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which are non- filtered and kosher, as of the 2004 vintage. The wines are aged in French and American oak barrels for at least eight months. The winery’s own visitor centre and cellar door offers guided tours showing wine production process, wine tastings, and the opportunity to purchase the wines. The price point is between $34 and $90 per bottle. The wines are not available in Germany yet, Wine region: Galilee Factsheet Galil Mountain Winery Address: Kibbutz Yiron, M.P. Merom Hagalil 13855, Israel Contact: Mr. Uri Tyroler, CEO Phone: +972 4 6868740 Email: [email protected] Website: www.galilmountain.co.il The winery Sitting atop the Upper Galilee mountain range, Galil Mountain Winery is committed to revitalizing the region’s rich winemaking history. The area was a choice location for cultivating quality grapevines. Established by Kibbutz Yiron and Golan Heights Winery in 2000, Galil Mountain Winery brings together the Israeli pioneering spirit and the expertise of Israel’s premier winery, and offer an inspired selection of varietal and blended red and white wines. 25% of the wines are exported to North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Its Meron 2010 bottle won the Gold Mundus Vini Award 2014, and Yiron 2010 won the Grand Gold Mundus Vini Award 2014. As well as being on the menu in many restaurants, the wines of Galil Mountain Winery are available in several German online shops or retail stores, for example “Wein Kusch” in Braunschweig or “Dr. Teufels Weinhandlung” in Frankfurt. Customers in Germany can expect to pay between 12,90 € and 26,00€ per bottle. Wine region Galilee Products: Whites Sauvignon blanc Green apple, lime and tropical fruit notes Vintage 2013 on a background of minerals and fresh Dry grass; medium bodied, with refreshing acidity; pleasurable, with a long finish. Viognier Notes of apricot, ripe nectarine and Vintage 2012 invigorating perfume, with fresh herbal Dry aromas and a delicate background of oak; medium bodied, with a silky texture; long, balanced finish. Reds Alon With a deep, dark purple colour, the wine Vintage 2011 maintains an aroma comprised of ripe Dry fruit and spices as well as toasted oak characters. A full-bodied wine with a long- lasting finish. Grape variety 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Syrah, 7% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc. Ela Dark red in colour, with plum, sour cherry, Vintage 2011 pitanga, violet blossom and herb Dry characters, along with notes of oak and a hint of butter. A medium-to-full bodied wine with noticeable acidity and a long- lasting, pleasant finish. Grape variety 73% Syrah, 23% Barbera, 4% Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon Aromatic wine, with notes of black cherry, Vintage 2012 ripe plum, berry and blueberry jam, with a Dry delicate background of mint and tobacco; medium-to-full bodied and well balanced; long-lasting finish. Merlot Characters of wild berry, blueberry and Vintage 2012 ripe plum, with a delicate background of Dry fresh grass; medium-to-full bodied and well balanced, with an inviting texture; long finish. Meron Characters of wild berry, blueberry, plum Vintage 2012 jam, and crème de cassis, with hints of Dry nutmeg and chocolate; rich, full bodied, concentrated and well balanced, with a silky texture; long, soft finish. Grape variety 73% Syrah, 18% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon. Yiron Abundant aromas of wild berry, cherry Vintage 2012 and plum jam on a background of Dry seasoned characters of vanilla, clove and toasted oak; full bodied and well balanced; long, classic finish. Grape variety 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. Factsheet Golan Heights Winery Ltd. Address: PO Box 183, Industrial Area, Katzrin 12900, Israel Contact: Ms. Yael Gal, Sales & Marketing Manager Phone: +972 4 696 8479 Mobile. +972 54 6700831 Email: [email protected] Website: www.golanwines.co.il The winery: The Golan Heights region is known as ‘Israel’s Wine Country’ and is blessed with optimal vineyard conditions, from a combination of volcanic basaltic soil, suitable topography and a high altitude that creates a cool climate. Over the years, the distinctive wines of the Golan Heights Winery have become world-renowned, winning dozens of awards at international competitions. Since its founding in 1983, the GHW has marketed three leading brands: Yarden, Gamla and Hermon. Today, the Golan Heights Winery is considered one of Israel’s leading wineries and is applauded for its wine quality, technological innovation and new variety development.