Harkham Winery - as close as it gets to kosher natural wine

[David Raccah]

I have finally finished my article on the harkham wine tasting in LA, this past week. The tasting was worth the drive, and I had the true joy and honor to taste some great and one clearly fantastic wine, that I pray will find its way to our coasts. Mind blowing overall. The chance to taste unsulfured wines side by side sulfured and manipulated wines - is a real sensory overload experience, which I would hope we all get to feel one day.

http://kosherwinemusings.com/2012/06/27 ... ural-wine/

David

[Andrew Breskin]

David, this is a great article. Can't wait to try the wine. Also really enjoyed the Katamon write up. Keep 'em coming!

[Gabriel Geller]

Great one Dave, and truly mouth-watering...

[Daniel Kovnat]

David,

I agree with Andrew and Gabe that your blog post was a very enjoyable read. But I am still confused. The terms "natural" and "organic" are often thrown around to impress the prospective buyer. They are also used interchangeably, or even together. Organic growers use no chemical weed killers or chemical fungicides or pesticides. Their fertilizers are also not produced from fossil fuels and instead, they use composted manures. The main appeal to me is that of protection of the groundwater. It is, however, a very difficult system to adhere to. I won't go into the controversy as to the question of organically grown/produced being worth the extra cost or not.

Are the Harkham wines completely organic? Are they certified (if there is such a certification on the "island")? Or is the naturalness of their wines because they don't use sulfites?

Have your tried the Or HaGanuz Winery sulfite-free wine?

Dan

[David Raccah]

Hello Daniel,

You are quite correct. Organic wines and natural wines seem to go together. The vines are not organically tended to, such as the vines of Odem or Four gates are. However, the entire process following it are. That is why I wrote as close as you are going to get, rather than the real thing.

I was not in love with any of the Or Haganuz wines, they are OK, but not at the same level in any way.

David

[Yehoshua Werth]

This is a great subject. Thank you David.
Thoughts.

If they don't spray un-organic material on the vines and are using all natural Yeast strains and or otherwise things used to make the wine it could be called transitional(This being the time between Organic and not). It is the Designation given by USDA and/or otherwise organizations; we can see people list foods @ places like Whole Foods Markets.

A middle ground does not really exist as far as Natural or Organic since all Earth based and Food products were all Organic by nature until about 75 Years ago.

Love to taste these other wines as they just brought in 2 new ones to the USA that I like.( Chardonnay & Red )

[David Raccah]

Indeed, the 2010 chard is a fine enough chard, my thoughts here:

http://kosherwinemusings.com/2012/06/13 ... d-options/

The cab/merlot blend was nicer than I was expecting. Would love to hear other folks opinions on it.

David