No sour grapes for the sixth annual Israel Wine Festival
The highlight of the Jerusalem summer cultural calendar arguably takes place this week, when the sixth annual Israel Wine Festival hits the Israel Museum's Sculpture Garden. The brainchild of Avi Ben of Avi Ben Wine Stores and Shmulik Cohen of Shahar's Drink House, the festival began in the midst of the second intifada as a means of bringing a little joy to the beleaguered capital city, yet it has only grown in popularity and industry buzz since.
According to Avi Ben, when the Festival began in 2003, "It was a bad time for Jerusalem in general, so we decided to organize a fair that would bring wine distributors to Jerusalem. We picked a great location, the Israel Museum, and once they agreed to house the festival, all the planning became easier. People loved the location, they loved the idea, and it was a huge success." Today, notes Ben, "people everywhere are hosting wine festivals and tastings. It has become a trend. We're very professional at the Israeli Wine Festival, so that helps our popularity.... You can't even move in the summer in Israel's coastal plane, let alone enjoy a nice glass of wine. Here in Jerusalem, we have cool breezes and an appealing atmosphere in which to drink."
In addition to the thousands of wine varieties on offer – you can taste them all after paying the 60 NIS entrance fee - this year's festival will feature liquors, a cheese booth and boutique chocolates for an all-encompassing wine experience. There will also be an on-site store, offering all the festival-participating wines at discount prices. Among the more tantalizing wines at last year's festival were the Tzova Sangiovese, the Psagot Franc, and the Galil Pinot. This year we recommend looking out for anything new by the always solid Golan Heights Winery, as well as the offerings from Ella Valley.
The Festival runs runs from August 4th to 6th. Doors open at 19:00, and the last drunken revelers are shown the exit as the clock strikes midnight.
Photo courtesy of Orly Segal Communications.
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