Kosher Wine Has Come a Long Way

Have you ever tried kosher wine?

 

Special occasions while I was growing up meant a bottle of Manischewitz Concord Grape sat somewhere on my family’s dining table. I was young, probably 10 or 11 years old, when I started sipping the sugary grape juice-like wine at Easter, Christmas, and on birthdays. (Yes, I was raised Catholic.) I’ve always wondered why, with so many other wines in the world, did my mother serve Manischewitz since we weren’t Jewish? Even if we were, there must’ve been a better––and equally affordable––kosher wine.

In reality, though, the 1970s and ’80s saw few quality kosher wines. Most were that same sugary sweet swill like Manischewitz Concord Grape (actually it’s a kiddush or ceremony wine). Luckily, kosher wine has come a long way since my childhood – as has my palate.

If you ask Jewish wine lovers, many probably don’t drink kosher bottles, except at the Jewish holidays. But there’s an exciting breed of  kosher wine that’s emerged, and even I, not Jewish and certainly not someone who keeps kosher, would willingly sip and recommend. Great wine is great wine, kosher or not.

What is a kosher wine, exactly?

According to Eater, “Kosher wine is made in precisely the same way as ‘regular’ wine. The only difference is that there is rabbinical oversight during the process and that the wine is handled “by Sabbath-observant Jews.”

Know that not all wines from Israel are kosher, and other regions around the globe (Italy, France, Spain, Argentina)  also produce kosher wine. Baron Herzog is a well-known California winemaker that delivers quality and well-priced bottles. You’ll find these wines at various shops around the country.

A bottle worth the splurge

One bottle that caught me off guard recently was the Psâgot Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard. This wine is not an everyday drink, however, because it’s in the $70 price range.

Hailing from the hills of Jerusalem, harvested from a plot planted more than 900 feet above sea level and aged for 14 months in premium barrels, this smooth Cabernet Sauvignon holds a deep, garnet color and can be compared to a cru classe Bordeaux or a fine Napa Valley Cab.

Savor dark berries, pomegranate, and black currant. The wine’s velvety texture and subtle flavors make it a pleasure to sip. It’s medium to full-bodied, but not heavy, and promises a long, satisfying finish. Pair it with lamb chops or roast beef.

A budget-friendly kosher wine

If you’re looking for everyday table wine, a bottle ideal to accompany a grilled steak, chicken or even a saucy pasta, enter Balkan Classic Cabernet from Galilee. Rich with berry and hints of oak, this wine is crafted from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and is incredibly affordable, selling in the $10 to $15 range.

Because I’ve become more intrigued by Israel as a wine region––and visiting the country to explore the food and culture––I tried this bottle not even realizing it was kosher.

Kosher wine has come a long way in the past 30 or 40 years, so as always, don’t judge the bottle by what’s on the label. Taste first. Then decide.

Here’s an excellent article about the facts and myths of kosher wine.

Cover photo and last photo via Pixabay.

All good wine deserves good food. Here’s the book that taught me how to cook, and a delicious recipe from a chef in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Plus, take a peek at the vibrant food scene in Berlin.