Decanter World Wine AwardsDaniel Rogov dies after posting own obituary on web
- Thursday 8 September 2011
He was in his early 70s. The cause of death was lung cancer.
Daniel Rogov’s critiques were broadly considered a seminal force in bringing sophistication to Israeli wine and food.
The New York-born Rogov had written for the newspaper Haaretz since 1984 and, earlier, for The Jerusalem Post. He came to Israel in 1976.
Rogov’s influence was not confined to Israel. His annual Rogov’s Guide to Israeli Wines, also found an audience in America, where Israeli wines, kosher and nonkosher, have been increasingly popular, and in the UK.
The most recent edition, the seventh, was dated 2011. It was accompanied by a smaller volume, Rogov’s Guide to World Kosher Wines.
In late August, when Rogov’s deteriorating health had become generally known, hundreds of members of Israel’s wine and food communities paid tribute to him at a testimonial dinner at a Tel Aviv hotel.
A witty writer and raconteur, Rogov posted his own obituary on his website only hours before his death. He said, ‘This is a difficult letter to write and that because as it posted it will serve to let forum members, guests and friends know that I have died.’
‘Wine and food to me are not simply things that enter our body,’ he wrote. ‘They are a reflection of our anthropology, history, psychology, social needs and, of course, pleasure.’
Image courtesy of www.wines-israel.co.il
Have your say!
laura kalman
September 15 03:51
My husband and I spent the 2001-02 academic year in Jerusalem on sabbatical. It was a scary year to be there, and I am a wimp! Somehow I learned about Rogov, and we started an email correspondence about weighty matters such as where to find a martini in Jerusalem. It all helped enormously, and I will never forget his kindness to me. I hope everyone's own great memories of Rogov bring so much comfort!
Eli Raban
September 09 13:57
May he rest in peace.
In his funeral today, his obit was read as he wrote it few weeks before his death.
It was posted in the forum the morning after his death, as he specifically requested.
Tom Stevenson
September 08 21:26
So sad, but as Rogov himeslf knew, sadly not unexpected. I can say no more than my last message to him, which was read out at his testimonial in Tel Aviv on 29 August:
Hi Rogov.
What a privilege it is for me to have this message read out while you are surrounded by friends and colleagues who are there to honour you.
Daniel Rogov, or simply Rogov, as you are known to your friends, you are the Hugh Johnson of Israeli wines.
Everyone knows this.
While Israeli wines have only just reached the stage where they are being recognised on the global stage, you Rogov, my friend, have been a superstar on the international wine scene for decades!
When I was looking for the Israeli Wine Correspondent for Wine Report, there was no choice, it had to be you Rogov and through your regular reports the latest generation of sommeliers across the world have become aware of just how exciting the best Israeli wines are today.
What a pity my publishers did not have a fraction of your diligence and stopped the publication of Wine Report after just six editions, but thankfully sommeliers and consumers of Israeli wines everywhere can turn to Rogov’s Guide to Israeli Wines.
Rogov, your Guide ranks with Platter’s Guide in South Africa as head-and-shoulders above every other national wine guide, and yet Platter’s Guide is compiled by a large team of tasters, whereas Rogov’s Guide is just you my friend.
Rogov, you are one of those few guys who never says no when asked to do a favour. I have learned so much from you. Thank you and enjoy your night.