The Chris Voss Show The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Exploring Israeli Wines: History, Innovation, and Unique Flavors with the Israeli Wine Producers Association
Exploring Israeli Wines: History, Innovation, and Unique Flavors with the Israeli Wine Producers Association
About the Guest(s):
Josh Greenstein is the Executive Vice President of the Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA), which represents over 40 wineries from Israel, ranging from boutique operations to large-scale producers. His passion for wine runs deep, ingrained over five generations in the industry. Josh’s family background includes ties to wine production going back to the Prohibition era, with his father working in the market for 47 years. Josh founded the IWPA to promote positive aspects of Israel through its burgeoning wine industry, advocating for the recognition of Israel as a world-class wine region.
Episode Summary:
Join Chris Voss on this episode of The Chris Voss Show as he delves into the dynamic world of Israeli wines with Josh Greenstein, the Executive Vice President of the Israeli Wine Producers Association. With over 5,000 years of wine-making heritage, Israel is carving out a name for itself on the global stage as a region worthy of oenophile exploration. Josh shares the fascinating story of how Israeli wines have emerged from a historical context powered by ancient viticultural techniques and modern innovations.
In this enthralling conversation, Voss and Greenstein unravel the uniqueness of Israeli wines, exploring the diverse microclimates and soil types that lend to the country’s distinctive terroirs. They dive into the significance of kosher wines, the contributions of the storied Rothschild family, and the innovative spirit enveloping Israeli winemakers. Josh emphasizes the value of trials in vineyards that harken back to Biblical times while advocating for greater awareness and presence of Israeli wines in global markets, especially in the United States. For anyone intrigued by the intersection of tradition, technology, and taste, this episode is a must-listen.
Key Takeaways:
Israeli Wine Heritage: Israel boasts a winemaking history that spans over 5,000 years, incorporating ancient techniques with modern innovations.
Innovative Viticulture: Israeli winemakers utilize advanced technology, such as drip irrigation and enhanced grape stress management, leading to high-quality wine production.
Unique Terroir: Israel’s diverse microclimates and soil types contribute to distinctive flavors and enable the growth of a variety of grape types, including varieties unique to the region.
Kosher Wines: All the wines represented by the IWPA are kosher, although kosher certification is more about cleanliness and ethical processing rather than quality differentiation.
Market Penetration: While Israeli wines are available across the U.S., increasing awareness and consumer interest is key to their expansion in international markets.
Notable Quotes:
“Israel has been making wine for about 5,000 years… finally got recognized for being good at it.” – Josh Greenstein
“CAB is still king, but we’re seeing more wineries producing fun, lighter bodied wines like roses and whites.” – Josh Greenstein
“You know, wine is historical, wine is fun, wine is friendly… an amazing thing.” – Josh Greenstein
“People have the ability to go search it up themselves. Customers are very educated these days.” – Josh Greenstein
“Drip irrigation, which was invented in Israel… really changed the farming world.” – Josh Greenstein
Resources:
Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA): Follow the IWPA on Instagram at @IsraeliWine
Josh Greenstein: Connect with Josh on Instagram at @JAGWines
Learn About Israeli Wines: Additional details can be found by visiting Goodreads for Chris Voss goodreads.com/chrisvoss
Connect with Chris Voss: Follow on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/chrisvoss
Discover the intricate flavors of Israeli wines and delve into the historical and cultural narratives that shape them. Listen to the full episode for an insightful journey through Israel’s rich winemaking tradition and stay tuned for more educational discussions from The Chris Voss Show.