The toast of Israel

Tal Gal-Cohen introduces Israeli wines at a recent dinner in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Teperberg Inspire Devotage Malbec-Marselan 2014: This wine is 60 percent malbec and 40 percent marselan, an old but uncommon French grape that has recently been cultivated by several Chinese wineries in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region. Rich with cherry, raspberry, blueberry and plum aromas, this vintage has gentle seasoning, firm structure and a long, powerful finish.

Tulip Reserve Syrah 2015: A blend of 95 percent syrah and 5 percent petite verdot, this wine comes from a single vineyard with red clay and volcanic soils. Aged a total of 16 months in (mostly) French and American oak, this wine boasts syrah's typical dense color with aromas of black fruit, flowers and eucalyptus. The long pleasant finish reinforces the wine's elegance.

Carmel Mediterranean Blend 2011: A gaggle of different grapes - carnigan, shiraz, petit verdot, petit syrah and viogner from Caramel vineyards in five regions of Israel - produce this deep purple beauty with notes of black cherry, spice, leather and truffle. Well-balanced.

Carmel Riesling 2014: This single-vineyard off-dry riesling, from a land parcel 780 meters above sea level, has a pale straw color with green tints and aromas of citrus blossom, green apple and lime, with a very refreshing acidity.

"It's not interesting to make chardonnay in Israel because there's chardonnay that comes from California," says Drori, the agriculture and oenology researcher at Ariel University, in an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. "But if you can make wine in Israel that isn't elsewhere and that connects to the history here, that's much more interesting."