| This potentially bargain wine comes from a major | | | | and unbalanced. Its flavors did not express |
| white grape, by the major wine producer of an | | | | themselves. With fresh strawberries the honey |
| up and coming wine country. Carmel was founded | | | | came back and the acidity was no longer harsh. |
| back in 1882 by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, the | | | | The next meal started with homemade broccoli |
| owner of the great Bordeaux red, Chateau Lafite, | | | | and potato soup perked up by Japanese wasabi |
| which starts at about $900 here, although I did | | | | rice crackers. The wine was lightly acidic and |
| see it on the Internet for a lot less. Carmel is the | | | | tasted of grapefruit. The main course was an |
| oldest Israeli exporter of wine, brandy, and grape | | | | asiago cheese omelet with a side of pesto that at |
| juice and produces nearly half of all Israeli wine. | | | | first almost overwhelmed the wine. As the meal |
| Interestingly enough in the 1920s they faced a | | | | progressed its grapefruit flavor resurfaced. |
| triple whammy losing purchasers because of the | | | | Perhaps surprisingly, it actually improved when |
| Russian Revolution, American Prohibition, and Arab | | | | facing the more powerful pesto. Dessert was a |
| nationalism. Many of their vineyards were replaced | | | | delicious apple, plum, and pear cake but the wine |
| by citrus groves. But now business is booming and | | | | was simply absent. |
| to meet the need for higher quality wine they | | | | My final meal included a boxed vegetarian lasagna |
| have launched several boutique wineries. | | | | slathered with grated Parmesan cheese. The |
| OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we | | | | Sauvignon Blanc was fairly round with good acidity. |
| taste and review are purchased at the full retail | | | | It presented a touch of pea pods and citrus. |
| price. | | | | Dessert was Haagen-Daz mint chip ice cream. |
| Wine Reviewed | | | | The wine was overpowered but did have a touch |
| Carmel Sauvignon Blanc Selection (V) 2007 12.0% | | | | of mint. What to do when the wine responds |
| alcohol about $9 | | | | poorly to a seemingly workable food pairing? Try |
| Let's start by quoting the marketing materials. | | | | another dessert (I am always ready to sacrifice |
| Description: According to the label, this wine is also | | | | for this column.) With a chocolate chip sponge |
| a good choice for vegans. Aromas suggest | | | | cake, not nearly as tasty as the homemade cake |
| grapefruit, melon, pea pods, passion fruit and | | | | of the previous meal, this wine was lemony and |
| citrus. Dry, fruity, round and fresh. This is a solid | | | | oily, much better than before. |
| sipping Savvy. And now for my review. | | | | I ended the bottle with two local cheeses. With a |
| At the first sips the wine showed bright acidity | | | | gouda cheese the wine was sweetish and round |
| with some honey. Its first pairing was with baked | | | | with light acidity. With a yellow cheddar its acidity |
| chicken in soya sauce accompanied by vegetarian | | | | perked up and sweetness diminished. Both wine |
| pancakes made with broccoli, potatoes, oat bran, | | | | and cheese pairings were pleasant combinations. |
| garlic et al. When accompanying the pancakes this | | | | Final verdict. I don't plan to buy this wine again. |
| wine tasted of grapefruit and the honey was | | | | But if you are looking for an inexpensive kosher |
| gone. Things went quite differently with the | | | | wine or something plebian to wash down plebian |
| chicken. The Sauvignon Blanc was harshly acidic | | | | cheeses, this might be an acceptable choice. |