Zion Winery has deep roots in Israeli wine history. In fact, the ultra-Orthodox Shor family is Israel’s first wine family. The winery began operating in 1848 in Jerusalem’s Old City, and its industrialization process started in the 1980s, led by the late Moshe Shor. His relative, Tzvika Shor, continues the path. The winery – the sixth largest in Israel – operates in Ma'ale Adumim and holds vineyards across the country, from Ramat Aravah in the Negev to the Golan Heights. The emphasis in its wines is on value for money.
Zion is not part of the sexy, glamorous group picture of branded Israeli wineries, but they do a very commendable job. The wines in the current tasting, from three series, turn out to provide no less than excellent value for money, with a price range completely different from what wine lovers, readers of this column, are used to.
The basic Imperial series, for example, is priced at NIS 30. Some of its wines are also sold in a half-bottle edition for NIS 20. The Estate series above it costs NIS 40, and the Capital series – NIS 55. Within this very modest range are truly fun wines, made with noteworthy professionalism. The style leans toward the New World, but I hardly found any wines that were overly showy or populist. In most of them, the restrained approach sets the tone. These are not wines for wine shops, but for supermarkets. The competition most of them give to their counterparts from the large, industrial wineries is evident both in quality and pricing. In most cases, the value they provide is simply better. As everyday wines, almost all here are clearly worthy. Cheers!
Zion, Imperial, Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Sauvignon Blanc from the Judean Hills. Golden color. On the nose, white fruit and citrus, aromatic. Light to medium body. 12.5% alcohol by volume.
Price? NIS 30.
Best suited for: Sandwiches, salads, cheeses.
Reviewer’s note: Light, fresh, with pleasant fruitiness and nice balancing acidity. Modest in ambition but provides everything needed and more for the money.
Value for money: 4/5 (Very good).
Zion, Imperial, Rosé 2024
Semi-dry rosé from Grenache Noir grapes from Ramat Arad in the Negev. Salmon-pink color. On the nose, red fruit and flowers. Light body. 12% alcohol by volume.
Price? NIS 30.
Best suited for: Summer picnic, the beach.
Reviewer’s note: A semi-dry rosé that manages not to be too sweet. Fun, unheavy fruit, particularly good acidity, and a body with that right delicacy of worthy rosés. Even a hint of that specific dusty touch of Provençal rosé is present here. A wine hard to believe costs only NIS 30. Value no less than excellent for the money.
Value for money: 4.5/5 (Excellent, bordering on exceptional).
Zion, Estate, Shiraz 2024
100% Shiraz grapes from the Galilee. 6 months aging in oak barrels. Deep red color. On the nose, ripe red fruit. Spices. Full body. 14% alcohol by volume.
Price? NIS 40.
Best suited for: Minute steak, kebab, steaks.
Reviewer’s note: Round, spicy, rich, elegant. After about half an hour of airing, it gains a touch of softness. A well-made “New World” wine that is hard to compete with in terms of value.
Value for money: 5/5 (Rare).
Zion, Capital, Lion’s Gate White 2024
Dry white based on Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscat Canelli from the Galilee. No oak. Golden color. On the nose, tropical fruit. Medium body. 12.5% alcohol by volume.
Price? NIS 55.
Best suited for: Fish, pasta, chicken.
Reviewer’s note: A dry white with an aromatic profile as its dominant feature. One should be careful not to drink it too cold, as the cold shuts it down. A bit too sweet (Muscat Canelli) and a bit too showy for my taste. Its gastronomic factor is somewhat lower, yet given its pricing, you get quite a lot of wine for not a lot of money. This genre has quite a few fans here.
Value for money: 3/5 (Not bad).
Zion, Capital, Lion’s Gate 2023
Petit Sirah, Syrah, and Merlot from the Jerusalem Hills. 10 months aging in French oak barrels. Deep red color. On the nose, red fruit and spices. Medium-full body. 13.5% alcohol by volume.
Price? NIS 55.
Best suited for: Steaks.
Reviewer’s note: Fruity, very spicy (black pepper), with a round dimension contributed by the Merlot, and pleasant acidity. An extroverted wine, somewhat Australian in orientation, that tries and succeeds not to be too lush. Its gastronomic factor, therefore, is nice. Like most of the wines in the tasting, the value it delivers is excellent.
Value for money: 4.5/5 (Excellent).
Zion, Capital, Merlot 2024
100% Merlot from vineyards in the Jerusalem Hills. 10 months aging in French oak barrels. Deep red color. On the nose, red fruit and a touch of black fruit. Medium-full body. 14.5% alcohol by volume.
Price? NIS 55.
Best suited for: Barbecue.
Reviewer’s note: Rounded, fruity, velvety, not too heavy. Israeli Merlot is usually not a great joy. This Merlot is well-made, respectable, and worthy.
Value for money: 4.5/5 (Excellent).