Eight Wines for Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish celebration of Rosh Hashanah begins today at sunset and ends on Friday, the 22^nd. The Jewish New Year offers a chance for reflection on the past and hopes for a brighter future. Here are eight Israeli wines to enjoy during the Rosh Hashanah celebration.

Galil Mountain Winery

Galil Mountain produces several wines grown in the highest elevations of the Upper Galilee region along with the Central and northern Golan Heights. Here are a few that are fitting for Rosh Hashanah.

Cabernet

The Galil Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented in stainless steel for six months to bring forth its fruity character. This full-bodied wine pairs well with leg of lamb or a juicy steak. Price point - $16

Merlot

Sangiovese

Galil Mountain Merlot is crafted with heavy berry flavors that pair nicely with burgers or Sambusa. Price point - $15.

Galgal Sangiovese is grown in the central and northern Golan Heights region. The wine is aged in French Oak for 12 months and has a spicy flavor. Serve with pan-roasted chicken and Tabbouleh. Price point - $14.

Golan Heights Winery

Golan Heights Winery is the home of Yarden wines. With conditions similar to Tuscany, the region is known for producing renowned wines. The winery is one of Israel’s leading producers.

Malbec

Yarden Malbec is grown in Yonatan Springs in the central Golan Heights. The wine is aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels and offers a spicy, berry flavor. Serve with BBQ ribs or spicy sausage. Price point -$33.

Chardonnay

Yarden Oden Chardonnay is from the Odem Vineyard in the Northern Golan Heights. The wine is fermented in French oak barrels and aged on the lees for seven months. The wine boasts tropical flavors alone with hints of wood and minerals. It can be aged for up to eight years after harvest. Serve with Roasted Chicken with Sumac and Falafel. Price point - $21.

Blanc de Blancs

Yarden Blanc de Blancs is a sparkling wine crafted from Chardonnay grapes using strict, traditional methods. The grapes are pressed as whole clusters and aged for a minimum of four years with tirage yeast. With delicate notes of tropical fruits and minerals, the wine can age for up to ten years after harvest. Pair with Kanafeh or Baklava. Price point - $31.

Mount Hermon 

The Golan Heights Winery is also home to the Mount Hermon brand. The volcanic soil and cool high-altitude climate creates the perfect conditions for this new wine region in Israel.

Mount Hermon Red is a blend of several Bordeaux-style grapes. Grown in the Golan Heights and Upper Galilee, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation but is bottled without sterile filtration. Ripe fruit with a hint of herbs makes this wine a great partner for grilled meats. Price point - $12.

Mount Hermon White is grown in the Northern Golan Heights. This blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Semillon is cold fermented to preserve the lively flavors of citrus and green apple. A perfect partner when served with grilled fish. Price point - $12.

Enjoy!

~ Joy

My new book The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide is out in bookstores across the country. Click here for more information.

Get an MBA in Bourbon

September is National Bourbon Heritage Month, a month-long celebrations designated in 2007 to honor America’s “Native Spirit.” For bourbon lovers, this is the perfect time to pour a glass and relax around an autumn fire. But here’s something to consider as you sip and savor this month – you can now get an MBA in Bourbon Education! 

Midway University in Midway, Kentucky offers a degree in Tourism and Event Management with courses in Bourbon history, distillery operations, Bourbon hospitality and a special opportunity to travel to Scotland to visit the Malt Whiskey Trail. Plus there are special independent courses that are focused on the Bourbon industry in Kentucky.

According to Dr. Tricia Day, Tourism & Event Management program coordinator at Midway, “Our goal is to take Bourbon education to the next level. We want to bridge the gap between the manufacturing side of the industry and the enthusiasts’ interest in bourbon as a craft.” 

Students can take the classes online. Only a few courses have an in-seat attendance requirement. Those that do include hands-on experiences like trips to area distilleries for tastings.

Courses offered include Bourbon Women: Craft to Consumption, Fermentation, Distillation and Maturation, Kentucky Bourbon Tourism and Distilleries and The Bourbon Experience and Hospitality. Of course, there are the required core business classes like Strategic Management, Business Law and Global Business, but to have an MBA in Bourbon in 18 months – I’m thinking this is one crafty degree.

Of course, the education will be fantastic but will the degree prove to be useful? Yep! The Kentucky Bourbon Industry generated 15,400 jobs in 2015 (That’s a 77 percent increase from just a few years ago.) with an annual payroll of $700 million. Bourbon in on the rise and this could present the perfect opportunity to get into the industry. And you can begin classes at any time. For more information contact Midway at 800-952-4122 or visit Midway University.

Cheers!

Joy

My new book The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide will be hitting bookshelves across the country this month. Click here for book information.