| Israel is a nation possessing a rich past. The turning | | | | follow a regime of specific rules. To begin, the |
| pages of history find it at the center of the Bible, while | | | | equipment used to make wine must be Kosher, and |
| present day finds it at the center of conflict. A country | | | | only used for the production of Kosher products. As |
| known for many things, wine is not necessarily one of | | | | the wine goes from grape to bottle, it may only be |
| them. Going into a liquor store and requesting the finest | | | | handled, or opened, by Sabbath-observant Jews. |
| bottle of Israeli wine isn't something many people do. | | | | During the wine's processing, only other Kosher |
| The reason for this is because wine, until recently, | | | | products may be used: artificial preservatives and |
| wasn't something Israel brought to the table, proudly | | | | colors, and animal products may not be added. |
| placing a bottle between the rolls and potatoes. | | | | Wines that are Mevushal are subject to an additional |
| Instead, Israeli wine was filled with a reputation for | | | | step on the Kosher agenda. Going through flash |
| being a type of drink someone should put a cork in. | | | | pasteurization, the wine becomes heated, making it |
| This, however, wasn't for lack of trying. | | | | unfit for idolatrous worship. This, in turn, removes some |
| Wine production on Israeli lands began thousands of | | | | of the restrictions, keeping the wine Kosher no matter |
| years ago, perhaps even prior to the Biblical era. | | | | who handles it. |
| However, the wines that were made during this time | | | | Jesus and Wine |
| often tasted so bad that bottles shipped to Egypt | | | | The history of Israeli wine is unique in that it also |
| were garnished with anything that would add flavor. | | | | involves the history of Christ. Whether or not Jesus |
| Stopping just short of adding RediWhip, people tossed | | | | advocated drinking wine, and whether or not the wine |
| in everything from honey to berries, from pepper to | | | | he drank was alcoholic, has become a cornerstone in |
| salt. The bottles sent to Rome, though not lacking | | | | many historical and religious debates. While some |
| flavor, were so thick and so sweet that anyone who | | | | people insist that Jesus drank wine, others insist that he |
| didn't have a sweet tooth, or a spoon, wasn't able to | | | | didn't, and, of course, a few Bill Clinton fans insist that |
| consume them. | | | | he drank, but didn't inhale. |
| The wine was of such poor quality that when Arab | | | | There are hardly any people arguing on the premise |
| tribes took over Israel in the Moslem Conquest of 636, | | | | that Jesus consumed large amounts of wine. Instead, |
| putting a stop to local wine production for 1,200 years, | | | | people argue whether or not the Bible condemns all |
| disappointment didn't exactly ferment. | | | | use of alcohol or whether it condones its use in |
| In the late 1800's, wine production began again in Israel. | | | | moderation. Depending on which side a person prefers |
| Determined to let Israeli grapes have their day in the | | | | to linger, innumerous references from the Bible can go |
| sun, a Jewish activist and philanthropist name Baron | | | | in both directions. Some people assert that the "wine" |
| Edmond de Rothschild began helping Jews flee | | | | referenced in the Bible was nothing more than |
| oppressors, eventually helping them adapt to their | | | | nonalcoholic grape juice. But, those who take an |
| Palestine settlements. He then began to help them | | | | opposing stance state that there are too many Biblical |
| plant vineyards. Because of this, he is known as a | | | | references warning against excessive use of "wine." If |
| founder of Israel's wine industry. | | | | it was just grape juice, or a wine with virtually no |
| But, the kindness and intentions of even the most | | | | alcohol content, there would be no need for |
| good-hearted of men wasn't enough to save Israeli | | | | precautions. |
| wine from its past reputation. Because the lands of | | | | Though there are several examples of passages in |
| Israel and the climate were not ideal for vine growing, | | | | the Bible that involve Jesus drinking wine, with the most |
| the wine produced was often of poor quality. Too | | | | famous one likely being The Last Supper, the Bible also |
| coarse and too sweet to be consumed, Israeli wine | | | | includes innumerable references to wine in general, |
| was looked on unfavorably until just a few decades | | | | wine drinking that does not necessarily involve Christ. |
| ago. | | | | There are approximately 256 references to wine |
| With the adoption of modern equipment, the import of | | | | written in the contents of the Good Book. From these |
| good vine stock, the encouragement given to | | | | references, readers learn that wine was made from |
| viticulturists, and the planting of vineyards in mountain | | | | grapes, figs, dates and pomegranates. It was often |
| ranges, near lakes, and in flat areas, Israel wine has | | | | consumed as part of the every day diet, during times |
| recently become much more appreciated, for its taste | | | | of celebrations, during weddings, as gifts and offerings, |
| and its variety. Replacing the sweet red wines with | | | | and as a symbol of blessing. In some passages, it was |
| lighter, dryer red wines and producing more | | | | even used for medicinal purposes. |
| champagne, the wines of Israel have finally begun to | | | | Wine Strength During this Era |
| climb up the vine in terms of greatness. | | | | Another question that often arises in regards to wine in |
| The wines presently produced in Israel are done so in | | | | the Bible and Christ's consumption is its alcoholic |
| one of five regions: Galilee, Shomron, Samson, Negev, | | | | strength. If the wine was in fact wine and not grape |
| and Judean Hills. The Cabernet Sauvignon and | | | | juice, then it obviously had some sort of alcohol |
| Sauvignon Blanc are viewed as particularly good, | | | | content. However, the wine of the Biblical era was |
| although Israel also produces several Merlots and other | | | | much weaker than the wine we know today. While |
| common varieties. | | | | one reason for this was the addition of water, another |
| Kosher Wine | | | | reason was naturally fermented wine (wine that does |
| While not all the wine produced in Israel is Kosher, a | | | | not have additives) was the only wine available during |
| good portion of it is. This has led many wine drinkers to | | | | this time. Because sugar and yeast were not yet |
| have the wrong impression about Israeli wine, an | | | | added to wine, its alcohol content remained lower than |
| impression that is based on a misconception of what | | | | modern day spirits. |
| the word "Kosher" truly means. | | | | Whether or not Jesus drank wine, and whether or not |
| Some people possess the assumption that when food | | | | it was condoned or condemned, is based on a great |
| and drinks are Kosher the taste of the product | | | | deal of speculation. Like many items of debate, people |
| drastically changes, similar to the way making a | | | | often use passages in the Bible to move an argument |
| hamburger "vegetarian" forever alters its flavor. | | | | in their direction, even when their chosen reference is |
| However, when something is Kosher it simply means | | | | laden with ambiguity. Some people may swear that he |
| that it was made in a way that adheres to the dietary | | | | drank, while others may insist that he didn't. However, in |
| laws of Judaism. | | | | truth, we will probably never know and, along these |
| There are two types of Kosher wine: Mevushal and | | | | lines, we really shouldn't need to: when it comes down |
| non-Mevushal. For wine to be non-Mevushal, which is | | | | to it, a person's faith is based on much bigger things |
| the basic form of Kosher, the preparation of it must | | | | than their opinion of alcohol. |