Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Michelle Rempel and Liberal MP Marc Garneau at the Sept. 16 Parliament Hill Israeli wine-tasting.
Politicos’ palates were awakened last week by the aromas and flavours of wines from a land that graced the pages of the Bible in Genesis, where Noah was said to have planted the first vineyards.
Members of Parliament, staffers and a few lucky media representatives, were treated to an evening showcasing Israeli wine and Canadian cheese on Sept. 16 at an event hosted by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee and the Canada-Israel Interparliamentary group.
In its seventh year, the soirée brought out about 350 people including Foreign Minister John Baird, Liberal foreign affairs critic Marc Garneau, House Speaker Andrew Scheer and Liberal MP Irwin Cotler to the East Block courtyard on Parliament Hill. The wine-and-cheese event was designed with no speeches (a welcome break!) and allowed attendees to mingle while having their taste buds marry the creamy taste of Canada’s fine fromage and surprising, excellent Israeli wine.”The focus on Israeli wine has been the branding from the beginning. We wanted to do something that brings together Israel and Canada at the same event because what we’re trying to do is build bilateral relations,” said David Cooper, director of government relations for CIJA.
As a wine writer, I was invited by Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Michelle Rempel, who knows a thing or two about global grape varieties. The cabinet minister is a certified sommelier.
Pouring an ounce of each varietal, Rempel and I travelled our way through Israel’s distinctive wine offerings. For a wine writer, working your way through a flight of wine is like opening presents on Christmas day: it’s always a surprise what each grape has to offer, the foreign terroir exposing itself on your palate. Pure hedonism.
“The wines are chosen based on what’s available in Canada. Already, that somewhat limits what’s offered. But the event to some degree educates people on Israeli wines and shows them that Israel is making some good-quality wines,” said Cooper.
Available for tasting were varieties recognizable to Canadians: a chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz rosé and an emerald riesling, which is a cross between riesling and muscadelle grapes.
Israel has a Mediterranean climate, meaning long growing seasons of moderate to warm temperatures. The wine is produced in five regions, Galilee being one of the finest predominantly at the cool elevations of the Golan Heights.
The two I liked the most were the special reserve 2012 chardonnay produced by Segal’s in the Galilee Heights and the 2012 cabernet sauvignon from Dalton Safsufa in Galilee.
With many similarities to an unoaked Ontario chardonnay, the Segal’s kosher chard was the colour of pale straw with a citrus, melon and floral aroma. The wine was big and warm with a medium finish on the palate. It could be paired with a well-spiced falafel, or cross the Atlantic and shuck some Prince Edward Island oysters.
The cabernet sauvignon was full of spicy and earthy characteristics. It was light cherry in colour but offered a full mouth experience awakening dormant taste buds. This wine is perfect for sipping, especially on a fall evening by a wood fireplace.
Normally Israeli wines are not an easy find on the general list in many Ontario wine stores. However, with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, this week, a sweet selection of Israeli wine is available in many LCBO stores to assist in the celebration for many in the Jewish community.
Asha Hingorani is the editor of Parliament Now, a sister publication to Embassy, and a sommelier student.
:: Embassy