When I visit the US, I usually spend some quality time with fellow wine-lovers who I get to see too infrequently. But with limited time (and funds), I basically stick to the NY/NJ area each trip to be close to my family. That makes visiting with friends from other areas a real treat. Luckily David Raccah makes his way to Israel a couple of times a year. Usually he organizes a few large blind tastings and winery visits for friends and I am happy to be counted among those who get to tag along.

A couple of  weekends ago David was in for a wedding and  for this trip scheduled 3 winery visits and 2 blind tastings one of which I hosted in Beit Shemesh.  I’ll leave the winery visits to another post and just deal with the blind tastings here.

The first of the tastings was held in Jerusalem on a Thursday night. Before I start, I’ll say that my palate is the most New World friendly of those that tasted at either session.