This Shabbat we are featuring a wine with great QPR (Quality Per Ratio), Devotage 2021 from Teperberg Winery. A blend of Malbec and Marselan, aged for 8 months in French oak barrels, this is a heavily dark wine, rich in the flavors of dark fruit, tobacco, and spice. It has been rated as “very smooth” by Vivino, with a long intense finish. This wine is ready to drink now or can be aged for another few years.
The Malbec grape, though vastly popular in Argentina, is actually from Southwestern France. It loves sunshine and develops a thick skin which in turn gives it an intense purple color. It loves elevation, which is why it does well in Israel’s mountainous terrain. Malbec is a very fruity grape and doesn’t require extended aging to taste good. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, so Teperbergs decision to blend with Marselan makes it quite unique.
Marselan is a new varietal that is cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Although it originated in France’s Languedoc area, it has done very well in China and become their premiere grape. It doesn’t mind heat, so has found a second home in Israel. Marselan provides deep color to blended wines, graceful tannins, and is extremely aromatic; with an essence of red and blue fruits, tobacco, and black pepper.
Israeli winemakers have been increasingly interested in blending interesting varietals to give their wines a more unique style. They often choose to incorporate Mediterranean style varietals with classic Bordeaux blends to produce wines more fit for their warmer climate; exactly what the Devotage 2021 is all about!
Teperberg is one of the oldest wineries in Israel. It was originally called “Efrat”, begining in the Old City of Jerusalem in 1870, by immigrants Avraham Teperberg and his son. Five generations later, with the winery now located in the Judean Hills, a Teperberg is still at the helm and the family continues to be dedicated to maintaining winemaking traditions while blending with a new world of technology and innovation.
The word “DEVOTAGE” is a derivative of the word “devote” and refers to a dedication or commitment to a cause. Our friends in Israel remain dedicated to producing wine even under the harshest of circumstances. Just this week, on Wednesday Sept. 4th, Hezbollah launched 65 rockets at Israel’s Northern Galilee, many landing in vineyards. In spite of this activity, our friends continue to harvest their grapes and make wine.
Please, let’s not let them down, make sure to put Israeli wine on your table. Teperberg wines are available at most major liquor stores and all the online kosher sites. I picked up mine at Kosher Wine Warehouse, free Shipping with a purchase of $99. Use the code ISRAELWINEGIRL for 10% off your entire purchase.
Israel Wine Girl 
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