At London’s Royal Opera House last month, a kosher Israeli wine from Carmel Winery in Upper Galilee was celebrated on a global stage, when its Kayoumi Single Vineyard Shiraz 2008 won the Red Rhone Varietals over £10 Trophy at the 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards – considered a staggering result for an Israeli producer.
Only 0.25% of the 10,983 wines entered in this year’s competition won an International trophy, meaning Carmel joins an elite rank of world class producers. The four tough rounds of judging to decide the International Trophy winner saw Carmel’s wine beat stiff competition from French, South African, Australian and Greek wines.
Decanter’s Tastings Director, Christelle Guibert said, “Israeli wines are by no means insignificant… but this is the first time they have taken a trophy from under the noses of the traditional producers.”
The Decanter judging panel described the blend as “Big and chunky, with earthy fruit, good spice and grip. Intense and voluptuous on the palate, plenty of oak, with great persistence and texture.”
Carmel Winery was established as a vintners’ cooperative in 1882 with financing from Baron Edmond de Rothschild and celebrates its 120th harvest this year. It is Israel’s largest producer with more than 13 million bottles a year. The 3,472 acres of vineyards are located from the Upper Galilee in the north to the Negev in the south.