Clos de Gat Ayalon Judean Hills GI Chardonnay

Judean Hills Wine Region, Israel

Har Odem's Clos de Gat Ayalon Chardonnay is from the highest Judean Hills sites at 850m — producing Israel's most mineral white wine. Barrel-fermented in Burgundy oak, the wine shows the altitude's cooling effect: pale gold with aromas of white peach, lemon oil, hazelnut, and a distinctive chalk-mineral note that recalls Chablis Premier Cru. Full-bodied with vibrant acidity and a long, mineral finish unusual for a Middle Eastern white wine.

Pairing intelligence

• fish course: Mediterranean fish prepared with Levantine citrus and herb — the wine's lemon-mineral character mirrors the preserved lemon while the oak adds richness to match the grilled fish
• starter: The Chardonnay's mineral freshness and citrus character bridge the tangy richness of labneh; the pomegranate's acidity echoes the wine's structure in a Levantine aperitivo pairing