Pasta, pizza, and a celebration: All the new delights for Shavuot

Pasta Mancini stands out as the notable new addition for Shavuot, proudly branded as "Michelin restaurant pasta from Italy." Produced in the Marche region of Italy, it aims to create a farm-to-table culinary connection. The dough, made only from durum wheat flour and water, relies on wheat grown on the Mancini farm, meaning the pasta’s taste may vary slightly year to year and season to season. This local pride has spread to a nationwide Italian pride: about half of Italy's three-Michelin-star restaurants use Mancini. It is now available in Israel to elevate your cooking. Price: NIS 21.90.

Pasta La Molisana, a more familiar yet still excellent brand, is dubbed "the rough pasta the sauce loves." It excels in holding sauces and dishes without losing its presence, leaving a personal mark. The packaging now includes a QR code leading to a landing page with a quiz, interactive game, and interesting information.

Third, Ristretto introduces De Cecco, a pasta arriving in Israel as Mafaldine No. 2—relatively long and thick strips, wavy and almost elegant, excellent in their balance.

Barilla, a leading Italian brand, celebrates Shavuot with significant shelf expansion and a particularly joyful launch. Barilla's Shavuot collection, in a limited edition, includes four types of pasta: Trigatelli clover-shaped tubes, more familiar Orecchiette with shell-like features, Falla a Fieno—a more colorful and festive version of Tagliatelle with spinach, and excellent Castellane, shell-style, with excellent ridges for hot skillet tosses. Price: NIS 15.90.

Perfecto pasta from Osem introduces new shapes for Pappardelle and Tagliatelle, as well as a return of Rizzati, Vuesbitto, and Radiatori based on durum wheat, suitable for integration in skillets, trays, and even salad bowls.

Keshet Te'amimThe popular supermarket chain celebrates Shavuot with shelves and refrigerators full of options, and an exciting Italian addition.

Valpizza is a new launch from Italy in the form of a ready-to-bake pizza (31-32 cm). Produced in Bologna, the pizza uses real dough (proofed for a day, hand-stretched, and baked in a stone oven) and arrives frozen. It requires only a few minutes outside the freezer before diving straight into high temperatures.

Currently, it comes in three versions—Margherita, olives, and four cheeses (mozzarella, Edam, Emmental, and Gorgonzola). It delivers a very successful homemade result, with moderately thick crust, a distinct personality, and good mozzarella cheese that stretches as required.

TnuvaThe major celebration of the Israeli dairy includes expanding refrigerator shelves, new launches, and early announcements of focused Shavuot promotions.

Among other things, new products in the Collection series will include melted cheese triangles in cheddar or truffle gouda flavors (25% fat), and Promazon in garlic dill or truffle flavors. There will be Cypriot halloumi from the Dodoni Dairy, upgrading the veteran Piraeus series, dense and tangy labneh balls in olive oil, 23% cooking cream from Chef Halavan, peeled and diced sweet potato cubes from Sanfrost, perfect for quiche pans along with the sauce, and a much-anticipated return of popular Shavuot products like za’atar Napoleon cheese, yellow slices seasoned with garlic tomato and basil from Alternative, refined Bulgarian cheese slices, 500g packs of shredded mozzarella, 600g packs of Emek shredded cheese, grated cheese, frozen and sliced onion mix, vegetable mix for pies, phyllo dough, and Mini Cheese Burek by Maadanot.

Gad Dairy launches two new flavors in its "Gad and Immediately" series: Alfredo Ricotta and Rosa-Mascarpone, and highlights its burrata box. Collaboration with Walt Market offers a special Shavuot package for picnics and home hosting with a selection of cheeses like traditional sheep feta, excellent and decadent Kashkaval, tangy 36% cheddar, French brie, new Italian salted butter (requiring only good bread), Manchego slices, and Gouda triangles, including a paper map for hosting and a special recipe booklet based on Liza Panels' creations. Price: NIS 149.90.

Euro Dairies EuropeThe local celebration leverages a pan-continental operation, introducing additional diverse cheese options in the country with the Vilifood dairy brand.

Among other things, you can find in the refrigerators soft, delicate, and creamy mozzarella cheese from Italy; burrata balls oozing white cream as required; buffalo milk mozzarella that steps up its game for both baking and straight enjoyment; 27% smoked cheese slices perfect for sandwiches and toasts (or, how could you not, directly from the package and while standing); lactose-free mozzarella cheese; and a surprise in the form of dark chocolate-covered strawberries, leaping from the freezer to make an ideal summer dessert treat.

Symphonia 16% cheese by Strauss introduces two new cheeses to its strong brand just before Shavuot: a natural flavor and a fried onion and black pepper flavor. Both are thick yet not dense, smooth and relatively decadent, ideal for pastries, pasta sauces, or simply as part of a home dinner.

Osem prepares for the holiday with justified prominence for several of its products, innovations, and launches, all hinting at the queen of Shavuot—biscuit cake. This starts with Petit Beurre in dark chocolate and cheesecake flavors, two returning editions that we missed. The dark chocolate biscuit is excellent on its own, with only mild sweetness, while the cheesecake-flavored biscuit combines well between crispness and creaminess. These two products are complemented by two new puddings inspired by Osem snacks—pink sweet Bamba flavor and creamy pretzel flavor, which work well in the mythical cake, balancing nicely with a bit of salt during mixing.

Kinder, the diverse brand from Ferrero, celebrates Shavuot with joyful launches and upgraded-value offers. Under its wings, you can find Kinder Bueno Mini packs, Kinder Chocolate Mini packs, Chocobons, Kinder Happy Moments, and white Chocobons, which are finally coming to Israel to increase the dilemma. The Happy Moments version is a mix of mini chocolates (milk and dark, classic Bueno, white Bueno, and Chocobons), while white Chocobons pair great with hazelnut cream in white chocolate coating.

The Brunch & Crunch brand celebrates Shavuot with a special dessert edition—cheese and strawberry blintzes in a five-piece pack (350g), requiring defrosting in the fridge and about four minutes of light butter frying on each side. The blintz is preservative-free, without artificial colors, moderately sweet, and full of options for additions and improvisations, offering a shortcut for weekend, holiday, and general treats. Price: NIS 17.90.

Bonomi, a well-known Italian brand, expands its options and lands in Israel with a larger, holiday-oriented package. The crispy cookies, the queens of tiramisu and mascarpone companions in general, now come in a 500g package (5 packs of 100g each) while maintaining their character, crispness, and taste. Price: NIS 15.90-18.90.

Bonjour, the large bakery chain from Osem-Nestlé, celebrates Shavuot with expanded shelves and special, cheesy surprises. You will find savory and sweet pastries, breads, and quick hosting solutions, as well as a highlighted star—a cheese brioche cake with a yielding dough base, perfect alongside coffee and straightens out nicely, almost automatically.

Teperberg Winery prepares for the holiday with refrigerators and shelves full of options, highlighting three wines, ready for the table. Essence Rosé 2023 combines Caladoc, Barbera, and Grenache grapes from Nega and Ayalon Valley into a pink, tangy wine with a necessary presence alongside Shavuot dishes. Essence Chardonnay 2022 comes from the vineyards of the Judean Hills and Ella Valley, with its grapes fermented and aged in French oak barrels. The result is a very delicate wine, rich in fruity aromas and balanced in its sip. Impression Late Harvest Riesling 2021 completes this joyful lineup. Its grapes were harvested in the Bustan vineyard in the Judean lowlands and aged for about six months with American oak, providing a yellow-gold bottle with sweet fruit aromas and a delightful glass.

Recanati Winery unfurls an impressive collection of wines and brings back its flagship white wine, right on time. Recanati Special Reserve White (NIS 159), a blend defined by the winery as "greater than the sum of its parts," offered a small amount lately. The wine is present and rich, with a great sip combining fruitiness and tanginess, and perfect Shavuot timing.

Barkan Winery celebrates Shavuot with an impressive catalog and a new, intriguing launch. This is Chardonnay W from the 2022 vintage from the vineyards of Ein Ziv and Rehan in the Upper Galilee. The chief winemaker and winery staff selected the barrels aiming to create "a different, unique and exceptional wine," as defined, separating them from the rest and leaving them for an additional six months of aging. The result is a rich, fruity, and spicy W. Price: NIS 75.

Porta 6, a popular brand from Portugal, expands its shelves and offerings with Shaked Company and enters the holiday with two kosher white wines. Porta 6 Reserva White (NIS 70) is produced especially for the Israeli market, based on specific requests and instructions from Israel. The result is a semi-dry wine from Alvarinho and Loureiro grapes, light in its tones and fruity in its aromas, refreshing with a great capacity to launch meals. Porta 6 Vinho Verde (NIS 50) represents the kosher version of the older wine, still maintaining lightness and delicacy (and even mixes well in refreshing spring cocktails).

Agat&DThe diligent Israeli importer is gearing up for the holiday with the necessary shelf expansion and four new, naturally Shavuot-appropriate options.

Salentein's Malbec Rosé (NIS 64.90) hails from Mendoza, known as the "Napa Valley of Argentina." This is a dry wine from the winery's higher-end series, based on Malbec grapes of course, with a pronounced pink color, 13% alcohol, floral aromas, and a fruity-springy taste.

Masoudi by Ramat Hevron Winery (NIS 84.90) is a more local rosé wine from a winery established at the turn of the century by French investors. This semi-dry wine is based on Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and offers 13.5% alcohol, a pinkish-reddish hue, noticeable sweetness, and a playful spice.

Domaine Seror Winery from the Golan Heights, another fulfillment of a dream by partners seeking a connection to Israel and its lands, celebrates with two wines - white (NIS 109.90) and rosé (at the same price). The first is L'Or Blanc (White Gold), a blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier, and Roussanne that has merged into a tangy and refreshing pour. The second is L'Or Rosé based on Grenache (80%) and Syrah (20%), very light, ideal for early drinking before meals, and basically at any other opportunity.

Carmel Winery The veteran Israeli winery celebrates Shavuot with a diverse collection of options, pourings, and cold white delights - under the Carmel Signature brand and the Vineyards and Single Vineyards series, or as a shelf expansion of the popular regional series.

Vineyards Shani, Upper Galilee 2021 (NIS 80) is a dry red wine composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot grapes grown at high and cold altitudes. The wine aged in oak barrels for 14 months, emerging rich and fruity.

Vineyards Syrah Grenache, Jerusalem Hills 2021 (NIS 80) is also a dry red, based on Syrah and Grenache grapes grown, as hinted, in the hills surrounding the capital. The wine features sour raspberry and plum flavors, carries spicy aromas, and is expected to continue aging and improving over the next seven years.

Vineyards Rosé 2023 (NIS 80) is a dry rosé wine whose grapes (Marselan and Grenache Noir) were harvested from the vineyards of the Ayalon Valley, fermented in old oak barrels, and aged for about half a year. In return, they deliver fruity richness and a prominent presence, a delicate taste, and a fun finish.

Riesling, Har Avital Vineyard 2022 (NIS 100) is a dry white wine whose grapes were harvested in the natural forest expanses of the northern Golan Heights streams. The wine is rich in citrus aromas, very balanced, spring-like in its characteristics, and sits elegantly on any holiday table.

Regional Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (NIS 60) is a dry white wine from grapes grown in the Galilee region. It carries a golden-greenish hue, a fruity aroma, and an almost optimistic elegance.

Regional Rosé 2023 (NIS 60) is a dry rosé wine from Syrah grapes harvested in the Modi'in region. It has balanced acidity, is very refreshing, and will work well both before and during the many meals expected.

Zur World of Wine

The joyful wine and alcohol importer celebrates Shavuot with wide shelves and two standout global options.

Rimapere Sauvignon Blanc (NIS 120) is a dry white wine from the Marlborough region of New Zealand, with local characteristics deeply influenced by the nearby river terrain, fruity-floral aromas, and a tangy and refreshing taste.

Sauvignon Blanc Château La Rigan (NIS 59) is a dry white wine from the Bordeaux region of France. The family winery is known for its complex and aromatic wines, and this golden bottle is no different, with a lemony-citrus vibe, excellent lightness, and a positive sense of a new beginning.

Celebration

To wrap it all up and elevate a bit more, the event chain arrives with a personally branded Shavuot collection, bringing group joy.

Among other things, you can find here, of course, white linens, gold and brown colors, biodegradable utensils, runners, table decorations, rustic hints that breathe kibbutzim and fields, and hay bales, decorated gift baskets waiting for the kids' names, and many other surprises. Price: NIS 5.90-NIS 50.