It almost felt natural to throw everything off and write about a return to routine and post-war drinks, but I don’t want to commit to what will happen next, only to hope for the best.
Still, I feel that the entire “special” situation on the home front somewhat pushed aside recommendations for wonderful wines that arrived at my table and were supposed to accompany the extended Passover, but who really had the desire or ability to celebrate. Among the “debts”, mainly mine to you, from the past month, are several exceptionally tasty bottles that I would hate for you to miss.
It all started with brunch. During the long weekend between the second Passover and the ceasefire, when the drop in tension mixed with the ability to finally meet the family from the Gush Dan envelope. Everyone came and everyone also wanted to drink everything. We started with whites and opened one bottle of red as well.
We started with whites
The celebration began with a bottle of Nahalal White 2025 from Jezreel Winery as an opening drink. Sauvignon Blanc with 10% Gewürztraminer (don’t be alarmed by the sweetness, it is only noticeable in the finish). This touch turns the wine into an excellent aperitif when you invite people for a relatively early brunch.
This is the time to mention that at Jezreel Winery, they make excellent wine, its new branding reminds me how much I love Hebrew even though this place is starting to tire me a bit, and their decision to create wine from grapes that love sun and heat and the Mediterranean is, in my opinion, an excellent strategy. The price: NIS 85.
After that we moved on to Chenin Blanc from the Essence series of Teperberg Winery, it is simply a tasty and good wine. A delicate Chenin Blanc, without too much sophistication, and that is what makes it so accessible and enjoyable. The price: NIS 85.
After it we knew we couldn’t go down, the guests wanted to continue with white wine. Pinot Gris from the Yarden series of Golan Heights Winery, which had been pushed to the depths of the fridge before the nightmare of the war began, turned out to be a brilliant choice. That was the end of the brunch. The price: NIS 76.
We also opened one red wine
The decision to open, just before the guests arrived, also a bottle of Tel Qasser, Moursir 2023 from Netofa Winery (a blend of Mourvèdre and Syrah), to pair with the main dishes turned out to be a mistake.
Not because of the wine. But simply because we continued with all the whites that were in the fridge and didn’t get to it. This wine is one of those “safe” wines that you know will work in any situation when someone asks for a good red.
And why am I telling you this? Because somehow we forgot about the wine in the fridge and only five days later I suddenly saw the open bottle standing in the fridge door and flirting with me.
I don’t have the heart to pour out wine and I prayed it was still good. So not only was it still good, it was at its peak (vacuum sealed, but only after it had been open outside for at least two hours if not more) and I was even a little happy that in the end it remained just for us.
It may be a festive wine and not cheap, but in my opinion it fits perfectly right now, for this unclear in-between season. Between winter and spring, between war and peace, for Independence Day meats, and for the last days when it is still possible to bear the heat of casserole dishes at Friday dinners. The price: NIS 130.