At certain times of the year such as during Holidays or summer vacations, sweet foods and wines are often on everyone’s minds.
TasteTV recently had the opportunity to review two wines of this genre from Herzog Cellars:
- Herzog Late Harvest Orange Muscat
- Herzog Late Harvest Zinfandel
Gabe Geller, a prominent wine blogger and industry executive at Royal Wine Corp. explains, “For some so-called sophisticated wine lovers, sweet wines are often thought of either as entry-level quaffs, or just to be used as sacramental wines. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! There are so many complex, sophisticated sweet wines from almost every wine-producing region in the world.”
Herzog is a very old wine family, coming from a winemaking dynasty started in 1848 in Slovakia by Philip Herzog. Philip made wine for Emperor Franz Josef, who was so pleased that he gave Philip the title of Baron Herzog. After having survived the Nazis, the Herzog family immigrated to New Jersey, where they reestablished the Royal Wine company. This company later expanded around the world, and especially to its base at Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California.
Herzog is known for having successfully promoted and refined the taste and appreciation of kosher wine. One important thing that they have done is to educate the public about the fact that the taste of kosher wines is not necessarily sweet or dry, because the winemaker can make them exactly the same as high-end luxury wines that are non-kosher. (the only difference is basically Who is making the wine, not How)
In our tastings we found that they Herzog Late Harvest Zinfandel sourced from Lodi grapes is a good value for the price, and it turns out to be quite a favorite for several of the tasters. Initially it starts off a bit sweet and effervescent, but after your palate adjusts you find that it is a big red with lots of jam.
The Herzog Late Harvest Orange Muscat is definitely something you might want to enjoy with fruit, cheese, or a dessert, but you might be able to pair it with a poultry or fish as well. Muscats tend to being consumed after meals, but there is nothing to say that this one would not go well if paired intentionally with a full meal.
MORE ABOUT THE WINES
Herzog Late Harvest Zinfandel, Lodi 2016
$20.00
Winemaker Tasting Notes:
The old vines of the Watts Family Vineyards, located in Lodi, California, produce intense flavors for this late harvest wine that displays a rich texture and a luscious sweet berry fruit finish. The wine also features a full-bodied mouth-feel and well balanced structure.
Herzog Late Harvest Orange Muscat, California 2016
$20.00
Winemaker Tasting Notes:
This wine was grown in the golden California sun and harvested at peak ripeness. The result is a bold and aromatic Orange Muscat, offering a rich essence of grape, apricot and orange peel. A smooth and full bodied texture ushers in notes of fresh pineapple and passion fruit, softly finished by hints of toast.
About Royal Wine/Kedem
Founded in 1848, Royal Wine Corp. has been owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose winemaking roots date back eight generations to 19th century Czechoslovakia. Today Royal Wine’s portfolio of domestic and international wines range from traditional wine producing regions of France, Italy and Spain, as well as Israel, New Zealand and Argentina.
The company owns and operates the Kedem Winery in upstate New York, as well as Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California, a state-of-the-art-facility featuring guided wine tours, a fully staffed modern tasting room, gift shop and catering facilities. Additionally, the winery houses the award-winning restaurant Tierra Sur, serving the finest Mediterranean inspired contemporary Californian Cuisine. Follow them @royalwinecorp.
