An Israeli Merlot That Warms Both Heart and Glass 🍷
✨ Tasting Notes
Color: Deep ruby red ❤️
Aroma: Cherry 🍒, raspberry, and plum
Taste: Plum, mint 🌿, and fresh herbs
Body: Medium-bodied
Finish: Pleasant, soft, and velvety smooth 😋
🍇 About the Wine
Merlot is typically the third most planted red grape in Israel, following Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan. It is often bottled as a single varietal but is sometimes used in blends as well. Merlot thrives in Israel’s Mediterranean climate because, much like me, it loves sunshine ☀️. Warm, dry summers help develop the grape’s signature plush fruit flavors and soft tannins, while cool evening breezes and well-drained soils preserve the acidity needed for balance and freshness.
The grapes for Tulip Merlot are sourced from vineyards in the Galilee and were hand-harvested in the early morning hours 🌅 to preserve freshness and quality. Once brought to the winery, the grapes fermented on their skins for 10 days, a process that enhances color, tannins, and complexity. The wine then underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel and was aged in French oak for 4–8 months 🪵. Just before bottling, small amounts of Viognier and Carignan were added to round out the final blend.
Merlot is an exceptionally food-friendly wine 🍝 that pairs beautifully with a wide variety of dishes, including chicken, fish, Mediterranean cuisine, and pasta. Our favorite pairing, however, is pasta with meat sauce. A good rule of thumb when pairing Merlot is to match the wine’s style to the richness of the dish. Lighter, fruit-forward Merlots work best with simpler preparations, while richer, oak-aged versions shine alongside hearty, meat-based meals.
Try pairing your bottle of Tulip Merlot with Celebrity Chef Jamie Geller’s Pasta with Tomato Meat Sauce 🍅 and let us know what you think. Both Jamie and Israel Wine Girl would love to hear from you!
💜 Why I Like This Wine
Not only is this Merlot smooth, flavorful, and easy to enjoy 🍷, but I also deeply admire Tulip Winery’s commitment to inclusivity and helping those with special needs.
Their philosophy — “We label wine, not people” — is more than just a slogan. It is reflected in the meaningful opportunities they provide every day to members of the Kfar Tikvah community 🤝.
Supporting a winery that produces wonderful wine while making a genuine difference in people’s lives makes this bottle even more special to me 💕.
🏡 About the Winery
Tulip Winery was founded in 2003 by Roy Itzhaki and his family in Kfar Tikvah (“Village of Hope”), a unique community that supports residents with special needs.
From the very beginning, Tulip integrated members of the community into every step of the winemaking process 🍇.
In 2014, the Weisman family joined the venture, bringing with them the same commitment to quality, community, and inclusivity. Today, Tulip produces approximately 400,000 bottles annually, distributed throughout Israel and internationally 🌍.
👩🔬 About the Winemaker
Tulip’s head winemaker, Dana Beny, brings an international perspective and extensive experience to the winery ✈️. She studied winemaking in Italy and gained hands-on experience working in Bordeaux, South Africa, and California before joining Tulip.
Dana succeeded longtime winemaker David Bar-Ilan and is involved not only in production but also in overseeing vineyard cultivation 🌱. Like her predecessors, she firmly believes that great wine begins with exceptional grapes.
🛒 Where to Find
I found my bottle at ShopRite in Cherry Hill, NJ.
Online purchases are available at KosherWine.com. Use code IWG5 at checkout for a discount
🍷About the author
I am a Certified Wine Professional with a passion for writing and speaking about Israeli wines. I present educational wine tastings and events for audiences around the globe, sharing the stories, history, and flavors that make Israeli wines so special.
To learn more or book a presentation, please visit israelwinegirl@gmail.com
Israel Wine Girl 
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