Galil Mountain Winery Alon (OK Kosher) 2014
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The wine displays rich aromas of plum, black cherry and fresh berry, a touch of light grass, and notes of maple and browned butter. With well-balanced acidity and a smooth, silky texture, the wine features a long-lasting and pleasing finish.
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Deep-garnet in the glass, this wine features a nose of black currant and strawberry. It has flavors of dark plum, blackberry, spearmint and chocolate-covered espresso bean. Smooth tannins wind down into a lingering pomegranate finish.
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The Upper Galilee mountain range is much more than an abode for Galil Mountain Winery; it’s the Winery’s heart and soul. Sitting in a breathtaking spot atop the Upper Galilee mountain range, the innovatively designed winery is committed to revitalizing the region’s rich history of winemaking. Over 2,000 years ago, the mountain range one of Israel’s highest at more than 1,000 meters above sea level was a choice location for the cultivation of quality grapevines. Today, the area’s topography, soil and climate make it an ideal home for the vibrant Galil Mountain Winery.
Established as a joint venture in 2000 by the world renowned Golan Heights Winery and Kibbutz Yiron, Galil Mountain Winery unites the best of tradition and technology. Leveraging six area vineyards, a state of the art production plant and proven expertise, Galil Mountain Winery offers an inspired selection of award
winning wines that remains true to its roots.
Uniting the best of tradition and technology, the winery’s
vineyards have been the first to be certified sustainable internationally under the rigorous and renowned LODI
RULES program.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
With a rich history of wine production dating back to biblical times, Israel is a part of the cradle of wine civilization. Here, wine was commonly used for religious ceremonies as well as for general consumption. During Roman times, it was a popular export, but during Islamic rule around 1300, production was virtually extinguished. The modern era of Israeli winemaking began in the late 19th century with help from Bordeaux’s Rothschild family. Accordingly, most grapes grown in Israel today are made from native French varieties. Indigenous varieties are all but extinct, though oenologists have made recent attempts to rediscover ancient varieties such as Marawi for commercial wine production.
In Israel’s Mediterranean climate, humidity and drought can be problematic, concentrating much of the country’s grape growing in the north near Galilee, Samaria near the coast and at higher elevations in the east. The most successful red varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, while the best whites are made from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Many, though by no means all, Israeli wines are certified Kosher.