Ido Lewinsohn
Barkan Master of Wine and Head Winemaker
On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, we went to Manhattan for a special kosher wine and food dinner held at Wolf & Lamb Steakhouse. The dinner paired delectable food with a wide selection of Barkan Winery’s wines presented by Master of Wine and Head Winemaker Ido Lewinsohn. Located in Israel, Barkan Winery is one of Israel’s largest wine producers and has two brands in its house, Barkan and Segal wines.
Throughout the course of the evening, Mr. Lewinsohn described the wines and explained the style behind them. The first wines we sampled with the Starters were a Segal Wild Fermentation Chardonnay Galilee, 2019, 12% alcohol, and a Segal Native Marawi, 2019, 11% alcohol. It was interesting to taste these two wines side by side and compare the Segal style.
Mr. Lewinsohn explained that for the Segal Native Marawi, he wanted to bring back the ancient vines and create a "local wine, rustic, intricate, and complex." Made from a single vineyard in Judean Hills, it is a dry white wine. Marawi is an indigenous variety with floral, citrus, toast, and sweet spice aromas, with balanced minerality, aged in oak barrels for 8 months. The Segal Wild Fermentation Chardonnay noted on the bottle that it was spontaneously fermented with indigenous yeast, naturally found in the vineyard, especially on the grapes themselves, with minimal intervention.
Moving on to the red wines, we tasted Barkan Altitude 624 Cabernet Sauvignon Galil 2018, Barkan Altitude 720 Cabernet Sauvignon Galil, 2018, Barkan Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Barkan Vineyards Classic Argaman, Israeli Variety, 2020, Segal Whole Cluster Pinot Noir, 2018, Segal Whole Cluster Syrah, 2018, Barkan Vineyards Superieur Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019, and Segal UF Cabernet Sauvignon Unfiltered Galilee, 2018.
Interesting to note about the Barkan Altitudes wines, is that the 624 is grown at an altitude of 624 meters above sea level, and the Barkan Altitude 720 is grown at an altitude of 720 meters above sea level in the Godrim Mountains. While delicious now, both wines show excellent potential of further aging to fully evolve.
The Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018, was made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown at 600-800 meters above sea level in Upper Galilee The wine was fermented at a controlled temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. It remained in its skins for 12-15 days, then pressed and put in French oak barrels for maturation. This is a full-bodied, richly flavorful wine with 14% alcohol.
Mr. Lewinsohn noted that the Segal Whole Cluster Pinot Noir and Syrah are single vineyard wines, grown near one other in the Judean Hills in Jerusalem on limestone, and manually harvested without destemming. Both varieties love whole cluster harvesting and whole cluster fermentation. The grapes are not washed or de-stemmed, so fermentation occurs with stems, and the berries themselves remain at the end of the fermentation and then are pressed for 2-3 weeks, then continue to ferment in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then aged in large oak barrels for 12 months before bottling. The berries create unique aromas that are spicy and floral. They are aromatic, elegant, and complex wines. Lots of earthy aromas and bright red fruit.
The Segal UF Cabernet Sauvignon Unfiltered Galilee, 2018, was made from 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. With 14.5% alcohol, this wine has intense color as well as aromas and flavors. It is a full bodied and well-structured with tannins.
A few of our favorite wines we sampled were the Segal Wild Fermentation Chardonnay Galilee, 2019, 12% alcohol ($25), Barkan Altitude 720 Cabernet Sauvignon Galil, 2018, 13.5% alcohol ($55), Barkan Vineyards Superieur Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019, Galilee. 14.5% alcohol ($75), Segal Whole Cluster Syrah, 2018, 13% alcohol ($50), and the Segal UF Cabernet Sauvignon Unfiltered Galilee, 2018, 13.6% alcohol ($95).
It was an evening of engaging wine conversation, wine education learning about the excellent kosher wine selections from Barkan winery ranging from good everyday wines to exceptional wines, paired with delicious kosher food prepared by Wolf & Lamb in Manhattan.
Until next time, cheers and Bon Appetit!
Barkan Winery Dinner at Wolf & Lamb Steakhouse, NYC Menu
Starters:
Spicy Chicken Tenders
Entrees – Choice Of:
Lemon & Herb Charred Half-Chicken
Black Angus Ribeye Steak
Grilled Maple Dijon Salmon
Pulled BBQ Brisket Sandwich
W&L Ribeye Burger
Braised Short Rib Gnocchi
Beef Bolognese
Family Style: Mashed Potatoes, French Fries, Brown Rice, Market Salad
Family Style House Baked Desserts
ala Coffee & Stash Tea
Barkan Winery – Wine Tasting Menu
White Wines
Segal Wild Fermentation Chardonnay Galilee, 2019, 12% alcohol ($25)
Red Wines
Barkan Altitude 624 Cabernet Sauvignon, Galil 2018, 14% alcohol ($55)
About Master of Wine and Head Winemaker – Mr. Ido Lewinsohn
"Mr. Lewinsohn is an Israeli winemaker, who studied viniculture and enology at the University of Milan, Italy, interned at San Guido’s Sassicaia, has travelled extensively, and has worked in Italy, France, and Australia. He returned to Israel in 2007 to be a winemaker. In 2017, Mr. Lewinsohn was appointed Head Winemaster of Barkan-Segal Wine Cellars, one of Israel’s largest producers. In June 2022, Ido became the Gerard Basset Foundation’s Golden Vines Ambassador in Israel. He is the second Master of Wine in Israel and one of 409 masters (WV) worldwide, of which about 100 are winemakers."
Barkan Winery Information
Barkan Vineyards, LTD.
PO Box 159
Kibbutz HOLDA, M.P. Sorek
768200, Israel
Telephone: +08-944-7745
Fax: +08-044-7749
Email: ea@barkan-winery.co.il
Website: www.Barkan-Winery.co.il/en
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BarkanWinery
Wolf & Lamb Information
Wolf & Lamb Steakhouse is open Sunday from 4:00 pm until 10:00 pm, Monday through Thursday from 12:00 pm until 10:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday – open seasonally.
About Wolf & Lamb
"Wolf & Lamb, established over twenty years ago, is now a staple in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Business leaders, celebrities, political figures, and thousands of native New Yorkers have all come through our doors to experience our old-world cuisine presented in a fresh and welcoming atmosphere."
Kashrut (Kosher) Information
"Wolf & Lamb Steakhouse MANHATTAN has been under the strict Kosher supervision of the OK Kosher Certification Agency since our inception over twenty years ago. The OK is under the leadership of Rabbi Don Yoel Levy. W&L is owned and operated by a Shomer Shabbat family. There is a Kosher Supervisor (Mashgiach Temidi) present at all hours of operation. All lettuce and vegetables are meticulously washed and checked to ensure that there is no infestation. All eggs are checked for blood. All of our meats are Glatt Kosher (Chassidishe Shechita). All breads are Pas Yisroel. All wines are Mevushal. Please call the restaurant with any further Kashrus related questions."
For more information about Wolf & Lamb Steakhouse and to see their menus, please visit the website: https://www.wolfandlambsteakhouse.com/
Wolf & Lamb Steakhouse
16 East 48th Street
New York, New York 10017
United States
Telephone: +1-212-317-1950
Email: wolfandlambnyc@gmail.com
Website: https://www.wolfandlambsteakhouse.com/
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