Kosher Food and Drink

Another great choice for your Shavuos table is this little gem from southern Israel’s Negev desert. I tasted this on Friday night, sitting on the porch of a great friend, enjoying a gentle, warm evening breeze with a glass of Israeli wine. Thank God Shabbos was to bring the incredible news of four rescued hostages. May God continue to watch over our brave IDF and return all of our brothers and sisters home safely.

The Nana Estate, Mitzpe Ramon, Chenin Blanc, 2023 is 100% Chenin Blanc from vineyards at an altitude of 800 meters in the upper reaches of the Zin Valley in the center of Israel’s Negev Desert. David Ben Gurion, Israel’s iconic first prime minister, known for his dream of the promise of the Negev, is buried by his wife’s side at the edge of the valley. The Zin’s upper tributaries begin next to Mitzpe Ramon, and run all the way to the Dead Sea.

It is in Mitzpe Ramon that Nana has built this desert oasis, in some ways a portal to the future of winemaking. Nana Estate was founded by viticulturist Eran “Nana” Raz in 2007, its altitude allowing the fruit to cool and retain natural acidity. Grapes are hand harvested at night to maintain this acidity.

Chenin Blanc is most famous in France’s Loire Valley, known for its very high acidity, which allows its use in wines ranging from dry to sweet to bubbly. Vouvray, Anjou and Savennières are each known for different styles of Chenin Blanc. Today Chenin is the most widely-planted grape in South Africa, where it is called Steen.

The best quality dry Chenins can age beautifully and develop tertiary notes of beeswax and honey, while retaining its brilliant acidity. Its higher ABV and acidity, along with high natural sugar allows for cellaring, reminiscent of Riesling.

Nana’s Chenin is a delight. Some skin maceration, fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. Pale golden in the glass. On the nose, honey, dried apricot, green apple, tropical fruit, herbaceousness, and very impressive minerality. Medium bodied. Bright acidity. Though Chenin Blanc has the ability to age, I’d drink now in its youth, possibly putting aside a bottle as an experiment.

As a note, Nana’s brand design was done by Annie Selby, evoking the simplicity of the Negev in its classic design.

$35, 13.2% ABV, non-mevushal