Ella Valley Sauvignon Blanc (Kosher) 2011

Winery: Ella Valley

Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is widely considered to be one of the finest varietals of white wine grapes. The green skinned fruit is notable for ripening relatively early in the year, due to the fact that it prefers milder temperatures and cannot maintain its distinctive flavors in hot climates. As such, it has become a favorite grape varietal for wineries in many very different countries around the world, where it can benefit from brisk, coastal breezes and mild early summers. Sauvignon Blanc is revered for its freshness and zesty character, and generally produces wines which are dry and very crisp on the palate. However, there are a wide variety of wines produced from this wonderfully versatile grape – with many wineries preferring to age the fermented juices in oak, or allowing malolactic fermentation to add a creamier, buttery finish to the grassy and tropical, citrus flavors it often carries.

Region: Judean Hills

Israel is a fascinating and beautiful country, with a history and culture which ranks amongst the most important and impressive on earth. In the heart of Israel, we find the stunning Judean Hills, an arid range of undulating land forms which provide plenty of opportunity for viticulture and wine making, thanks to their mineral rich soils and the fabulous climate they receive. For thousands of years, vines have been cultivated in this region, however, Israel did not really become an important international center for wines until the mid nineteenth century, when the Rothschild family brought their Bordeaux varietals to the Judean Hills. The vines quickly took to the landscape, and today, these ancient hills are home to many of the country's finest classic, French style wines.

Country: Israel

The vineyards of Israel have long been associated with high quality wines, and the wineries which operate within the country use the fantastic Mediterranean climate and mineral rich soils to grow fine French grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvigon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc all over the country. Israel has five major wine regions; Galil, The Judean Hills, Shimshon, The Negev, and the Sharon Plain, with many of the most successful vineyards being located at high altitudes to benefit from the cooler temperatures and stronger breezes the vines need to produce better yields. Today, Israeli wineries are proving to be highly successful with audiences around the world, and the fact that the vast majority of Israeli wines are made to kosher requirements mean they are often in high demand amongst the worldwide Jewish population, although they are also highly popular with people of all backgrounds.