Twin Winery Initiative connects German and Israeli winemakers and promotes exchange.

18 German wineries belong to the Twin Wineries and are each twinned with a partner winery in Israel: Heymann-Löwenstein, SA Prüm, Nik Weis St. Urbanshof, Selbach-Oster (all Mosel), Georg Breuer, Hessian State Wineries Kloster Eberbach, Baron Knyphausen, Kaufmann (all Rheingau), Gerg Mosbacher, Eymann (all Palatinate), Prinz Salm (Nahe), Staatlicher Hofkeller Würzburg, Hans Wirsching, Behirnger (all Franconia), von Hövel (Saar-Mosel), Schloss Westerhaus, Weingut Stenner from Mainz (Rheinhessen) and Josten & Klein (Ahr).

Weingut Heymann-Löwenstein & Margalit Winery
Weingut Georg Breuer & Galil Mountain Winery
Weingut Georg Mosbacher & Vitkin Winery
Weingut Prinz Salm & Tulip Winery
Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach & Golan Heights Winery
Weingut S.A. Prüm & Recanati Winery
Weingut von Hövel & Bazelet HaGolan Winery
Weingut Kaufmann & Seahorse Winery
Schloss Westerhaus & Yatir Winery
Weingut Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof & Flam Winery
Weingut Eymann & Somek Winery
Weingut Wirsching & Kishor Winery
Weingut Selbach-Oster & Tzora Winery
Weingut Stenner & Vortman Winery
Weingut Behringer & Odem Mountain Winery
Weingut Schätzle & Yaffo Winery
Weingut Drautz-Able & Lueria Winery
Gut Hermannsberg & Sphera Winery
Weingut August Eser & Bar-Maor Winery

Mitglieder der Twin Wineries – Stand November 2023:

Weingut Heymann-Löwenstein, Mosel & Margalit Winery, Binyamina

Weingut Georg Breuer, Rheingau & Galil Mountain Winery, Kibbutz Yiron

Weingut Georg Mosbacher, Pfalz & Vitkin Winery, Kfar Vitkin
Weingut Prinz Salm, Nahe & Tulip Winery, Kfar Tikva

Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach, Rheingau & Golan Heights Winery, Katzrin

Weingut von Hövel, Saar-Mosel & Bazelet Hagolan Winery, Kidmat Zvi

Weingut S.A. Prüm, Mosel & Recanati Winery, Emek Hefer

Weingut Kaufmann, Rheingau & Seahorse Winery, Bar Giora

Weingut Schloss Westerhaus, Rheinhessen & Yatir Winery, Tel Arad

Weingut Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof, Mosel & Flam Winery, Eshtaol

Weingut Eymann, Pfalz & Somek Winery, Zichron-Yaacov

Weingut Hans Wirsching, Franken & Kishor Vineyards, Kishorit

Weingut Selbach-Oster, Mosel & Tzora Vineyards, Tzora

Weingut Stenner, Rheinhessen & Vortman Winery, Haifa

Weingut Behringer, Franken & Odem Mountain Winery, Odem

Weingut Schätzle, Baden & Yaffo, Winery, Neve Michael

Weingut Drautz-Able, Württemberg & Lueria Winery, Safsufa

Weingut Gut Hermannsberg, Nahe & Sphera Winery, Givat Yeshayahu

Weingut August Eser, Rheingau & Bar-Maor Winery, Binyamina

Weingut Jung & Knobloch, Rheinhessen & Adir Winery, Kerem Ben Zimra

Weingut Materne & Schmitt, Mosel & Nana Estate Winery, Mitzpe Ramon

Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm, Mosel & Lewinsohn Winery, Petach-Tikva

Weingüter Geheimrat J. Wegeler, Rheingau & Mosel & Barkan Winery, Hulda

Weingut Gehring, Rheinhessen & Agur Winery, Moshav Agur

Die Partner-Weingüter der Twin Wineries

Weingut Heymann-Löwenstein, Mosel www.hlweb.de Margalit Winery, Binyamina www.margalit-winery.com

Weingut Georg Breuer, Rheingau www.georg-breuer.com Galil Mountain Winery, Oberes Galiläa www.galilmountain.co.il

Weingut Georg Mosbacher, Pfalz www.georg-mosbacher.de Vitkin Winery, Kfar Vitkin www.vitkin-winery.co.il

Weingut Prinz Salm, Nahe www.prinzsalm.de Tulip Winery, Kfar Tikva www.tulip-winery.co.il

Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach, Rheingau www.kloster-eberbach.de Golan Heights Winery, Golan Heights www.golanwines.co.il

Staatlicher Hofkeller Würzburg, Franken www.hofkeller.de Teperberg1870 Winery, Tzora www.teperberg1870.co.il

Baron Knyphausen, Rheingau www.baron-knyphausen.de Adir Winery, Oberes Galiläa www.adir-winery.com

Weingut von Hövel, Mosel www.weingut-vonhoevel.de Bazelet Hagolan Winery, Golan-Höhen www.bazelet-hagolan.co.il

Weingut S.A. Prüm, Mosel www.sapruem.com Recanati Winery, Emek Hefer www.recanati-winery.com

Weingut Kaufmann, Rheingau www.weingut-kaufmann.de Seahorse Winery, Moshav Bar Giora www.seahorsewines.com

Weingut Schloss Westerhaus, Rheinhessen www.schloss-westerhaus.de Yatir Winery, Tel Arad www.yatirwinery.com

Weingut Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof, Mosel www.urbans-hof.de Flam Winery, Eshtaol www.flamwinery.com

Weingut Josten & Klein, Ahr www.josten-klein.com Sphera Winery, Givat Yeshayahu www.spherawinery.com

Weingut Eymann, Pfalz www.weingut-eymann.de Somek Winery, Zichron-Yaacov www.somek-winery.co.il

Weingut Hans Wirsching, Franken www.wirsching.de Kishor Vineyards, Kishorit www.kishor-winery.com

Weingut Selbach-Oster, Mosel www.selbach-oster.de Tzora Vineyards, Tzora www.tzoravineyards.com

Wein&Gut Bernhard Stenner, Rheinhessen www.weinundgut-stenner.de Vortman Winery, Haifa www.vortmanwinery.com

Weingut Behringer, Franken www.weingut-behringer.de Odem Mountain Winery, Odem www.harodem.co.il

Weingut Schätzle, Baden www.weingutschaetzle.de Yaffo Winery, Neve Michael www.yaffowinery.co.il

Weingut Drautz-Able, Württemberg www.drautz-able.de Lueria Winery, Safsufa www.lueriawinery.com

The Alsace wine region, located in northeastern France along the Rhine River and bordering Germany, is renowned for its exceptional white wines. The Alsace wine appellation system is distinctive within France for its emphasis on grape variety and a strong influence from German wine traditions. This system categorizes wines primarily by grape type, and Alsace is one of the few French wine regions to label its wines in this manner. Here's an overview of the Alsace wine appellation system:

### 1. Appellation Alsace Contrôlée (AOC)

The baseline appellation for wines from this region, representing the majority of its production. Wines under this appellation can be made from a variety of grapes, including Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Sylvaner, and others. These wines are typically varietal wines, meaning they are made from a single grape variety, which is a hallmark of Alsace's labeling practice.

### 2. Alsace Grand Cru AOC

A higher classification that applies to wines produced from designated vineyards recognized for their superior quality. There are 51 Grand Cru sites in Alsace, each with specific regulations governing grape varieties, yield limits, and alcohol content to ensure high-quality production. The permitted grape varieties for Grand Cru wines are Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and Muscat (in specific, Muscat varieties). These wines are known for their complexity, depth, and aging potential.

### 3. Crémant d'Alsace AOC

This appellation is designated for sparkling wines made in Alsace according to the Traditional Method (Méthode Traditionnelle), similar to Champagne production. Crémant d'Alsace can be made from a variety of grapes, including Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Auxerrois, and Chardonnay (the latter being the only grape variety allowed in Crémant d'Alsace that is not permitted under the still wine appellations).

### Labeling and Regulations

- **Labeling by Grape Variety**: Alsace is unique in France for prominently featuring the grape variety on the label of AOC wines. This practice is influenced by German wine traditions and helps consumers understand the style and flavor profile of the wine.

- **Late Harvest Wines**: Alsace also produces exceptional late harvest wines, labeled as "Vendanges Tardives" (rich, sweet wines made from grapes picked at a later stage of ripeness) and "Sélection de Grains Nobles" (made from grapes affected by noble rot, Botrytis cinerea, resulting in concentrated and sweet wines).

- **Regulations**: The Alsace AOC regulations also include specific rules regarding viticulture and winemaking practices, including minimum alcohol levels, yield limits, and vineyard management techniques to ensure the quality of the wines.

The Alsace wine appellation system reflects the region's unique blend of French and Germanic influences, with a focus on varietal purity, terroir expression, and the production of both still and sparkling wines that are highly esteemed worldwide.

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The Alsace wine region, located in northeastern France along the Rhine River border with Germany, is renowned for its aromatic, varietal white wines. The region's classification system is unique within France, reflecting its distinct winemaking traditions and influences from both French and German wine laws. Here's an overview of the Alsace wine classification system:

### 1. AOC Alsace

The Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) Alsace, established in 1962, is the primary classification for wines produced in the region. This appellation covers a wide range of grape varieties, with the most prominent being Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, and Sylvaner. Under this classification, wines are typically labeled by grape variety, which is relatively rare in France but emphasizes the region's focus on varietal expression.

### 2. AOC Alsace Grand Cru

Introduced in 1975, the Alsace Grand Cru appellation represents the highest quality tier of Alsace wines, sourced from designated vineyards that meet strict criteria regarding grape variety, yield, and winemaking practices. There are 51 Grand Cru sites, each known for its unique terroir, including soil composition, microclimate, and sun exposure, which contribute to the distinct character of the wines. Only four grape varieties are permitted for Grand Cru wines: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat.

### 3. AOC Crémant d'Alsace

The Crémant d'Alsace appellation, established in 1976, is dedicated to sparkling wines produced in Alsace using the Traditional Method (similar to Champagne production). These wines can be made from a blend of grape varieties, including Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Chardonnay. Crémant d'Alsace is appreciated for its finesse, delicate bubbles, and value as an alternative to Champagne.

### 4. Alsace Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles

These two classifications, introduced in 1984, are reserved for late-harvest wines made from grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) or naturally dried on the vine. "Vendange Tardive" (VT) wines are made from overripe grapes, resulting in rich, concentrated flavors with a balance of acidity and sweetness. "Sélection de Grains Nobles" (SGN) wines are produced from individually selected, botrytized grapes, yielding intensely sweet, complex wines with significant aging potential. Both VT and SGN wines are made from the same four noble varieties allowed in Grand Cru production.

The Alsace wine classification system emphasizes the region's focus on varietal purity, terroir expression, and winemaking excellence. Despite the influence of both French and German wine cultures, Alsace has developed a unique identity, with its classification system playing a key role in showcasing the diverse and high-quality wines the region is capable of producing.

AOC Alsace is for wines made with grapes from parcels having precisely stipulated boundaries based on historical growing areas.

AOC Alsace wines can be made from only one grape variety. In this case, the grape name can be mentioned on the label. They can also come from a blend of several grape varieties, sometimes called Edelzwicker.

Appellation of Origin

Château d’Yquem, Sauternes, AOC Sauternes

The Bordeaux Red Wine Classification of 1855 is a renowned classification system that was established for the wines of the Bordeaux region in France. This classification was created for the Exposition Universelle de Paris to showcase the best wines of Bordeaux. The wines were ranked based on their reputation and trading price at the time.

The 1855 Classification primarily focused on wines from the Médoc and Graves regions, and it classified them into five classes or growths (crus), ranging from Premier Cru (First Growth) to Cinquième Cru (Fifth Growth).

An "alcohol beverage class" refers to a broad categorization of alcoholic drinks based on their primary ingredients, production methods, and alcohol content. These classes help in organizing and identifying different types of alcoholic beverages, making it easier for consumers, producers, and regulators to communicate about them. Major alcohol beverage classes include:

1. **Beer**: Made from the fermentation of starches, primarily derived from cereal grains like barley, wheat, corn, and rice. Beers are often flavored with hops, which add bitterness and act as a natural preservative. This category includes a wide variety of styles, such as lagers, ales, stouts, and porters.

2. **Wine**: Produced through the fermentation of crushed grapes or other fruits. The two main categories of wine are red and white, with rosé and sparkling wines (like Champagne) being other notable types. Wine's flavor, color, and aroma are influenced by the grape variety, soil, climate, and winemaking techniques.

3. **Spirits (or Distilled Beverages)**: Created by distilling fermented grain, fruit, or vegetables, which concentrates the alcohol. This category encompasses a wide range of beverages, including whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and brandy. Spirits can be consumed neat, with mixers, or as the base for cocktails.

4. **Liqueurs (or Cordials)**: Sweetened spirits infused with flavors from fruits, herbs, spices, flowers, or nuts. Liqueurs are often used in cocktails or consumed after a meal as a digestif.

These classes can be further divided into subcategories based on specific characteristics like the type of ingredients used, the method of production, or the region of origin. Alcohol beverage classes are important for legal, cultural, and consumption purposes, providing a framework for understanding the diversity and specificity of alcoholic drinks.