Overview: The biblical holiday of Tu B’Av marks the beginning of the grape harvest in July and August. This tradition highlights the Argaman grape variety, identified as Israel’s sixth-most planted red grape. Modern winemaking reintroduces this ancient celebration beyond commercial marketing.
The Full Story
The reintroduction of Tu B’Av in modern Israel focuses on the religious celebration of the grape harvest rather than the commercial Valentine’s Day festival. This occasion represents a renewed exploration of the connection between the Jewish people and their patron in heaven as expressed by abundance and rootedness in the Land of Israel.
Historical context includes the first harvest at Baron Rothschild’s winery in Rishon Lezion in 1890. A worker named David Yudelevich relates the eruption of ecstasy during that time, noting carts overflowing with grapes streaming into crushing vats while singing about redemption and youth returning to the land.
Production & Profile
Recent tastings at the Sommelier professional trade fair and the Israel Museum public wine festival suggest wines made from Mediterranean varietals are the wave of the future in this country. This approach opposes classic French Bordeaux and Burgundy varietals, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The style favors lighter wines similar to those made in other hot climates such as southern France and the Rhone Valley, as well as Spain and Italy.
Specific blends include Munitz Shaked, which features a Marselan-Syrah-Argaman composition. Other outstanding Israeli red wines made in Mediterranean hand and style that were tasted and recommended include Bazak Syrah, Carmel Signature Guvrin, Flam Even Sapir, Hayotzer Lyrica GSM, Netofa Tel Qasser Red, Pinto Holot, Raziel, Recanati Atlier Syrah, Telem Rock and Stems, Teperberg Legacy Petit Sirah, Tura Special Edition, and Vitkin Petit Sirah.
Brand & Industry History
There are four basic agricultural products in Israel repeatedly mentioned in Scripture, each associated with one of the four major holidays. Olives relate to Sukkot, barley to Passover, and wheat to Shavuot. Grapes are for making wine, and wine has a biblical holiday too: Tu B’Av. The Torah ties grapes to relationships between man and woman and between man and God, citing Psalms 128:3 and Psalms 80:15-16.
What This Means
Drawing on verses regarding wine making the heart glad, the Talmud rules that one cannot really give thanks to God unless a glass of blessing is in hand. This leads to the use of wine for kiddush and special formulations in Jewish law for benediction over wine. The author concludes that wines made from Mediterranean varietals are the wave of the future in this country, opposed to classic French Bordeaux and Burgundy varietals.
Consumer Takeaway
This release offers drinkers an opportunity to explore the connection between the Jewish people and their patron in heaven as expressed by abundance. The Argaman variety provides a specific profile within Israel’s red wine landscape. Drinkers can access lighter wines similar to those made in other hot climates such as southern France and the Rhone Valley, as well as Spain and Italy.
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