Month: July 2025

The sommelier in the wine trade is a very central figure. Whereas, the winemaker rules the roost within the gates of the winery, beyond that it is the sommelier who is the main wine professional. Their job is not just serving the wine in a restaurant. It may also involve purchasing, selling, managing the wine inventory or cellar, as well as staff training and wine education. This was an interest of mine in my first steps in wine. In the UK, I was a founder and then honorary member of The Academy of Wine Service in the late 1980s. On arriving in Israel, I founded Pras Yarden – The Yarden Award for Wine Service. This went on to be the main competition for sommeliers and wine waiters for the next twenty-five years. I also organized the first Sommelier Course in Israel in the early 1990s.

For all whisky mavens, The Macallan has a pride of place. This is also true amongst Jews, for whom Scotch, in general, and Single Malts in particular, has become the chosen spirit. Looking back, it is amusing to relate that I have had a personal happening with The Macallan Whisky approximately every twenty years. Though the distillery has changed, grown and developed, it still maintains its position on a pedestal as one of the very finest Single Malt Whiskies.