Wine Legend Blog

 

First of all let’s throw the notion that kosher wines are not an enjoyable quaff right out the window!

History has proven that these wines were not something to be savored, but a necessity at the holiday table. Let’s face it, they lacked the balance and in many cases the ‘fruit factor’ drinking astringent and “dried out.” However through the years, with winemaking techniques becoming modernized and more attention being paid to the quality of the wines produced, they have slowly come into their own. Now internationally produced, they’re getting better all the time!

So, what makes a wine kosher, and is it kosher for all occasions?
The word “kosher” means “fit.” Kosher food is “fit to eat” because it has passed certain technical requirements. Unlike other kosher products wine has special rules and regulations. First, it is produced using kosher yeasts in the fermentation process and aged in barrels which have not been previously used for aging non-Kosher wines. And in order to be considered “Kosher for Passover” the wines must be created and handled by only people of the Jewish faith. Therefore, because at any given time wines are handled by many people, they must go through a process where they become ‘mevushal’. This means that in its production, the wine is flash-heated to near boiling, and then may be handled by people of any faith.

Although there are many letters symbolizing that products are kosher, many wines that are Kosher will have the letter “K” symbol on the label. Kosher for Passover wines with have an “UP” symbol on the label and/or labeled that they are “mevushal.” The good news here, is that we have arrived at a time where we are drinking great wines at the holiday table that just happen to be kosher!  Enjoy!

Whether it comes to ice-cold cocktails or wines, we all have preferences when it comes to which libations we prefer to drink in hot weather.

Some of us cannot handle drinking a high in alcohol; tannic red wine during the hot summer months and naturally turn to other alternatives.

On this note, many people gravitate toward the great dry rosé wines, which always deliver in beating the heat. Some of us, who just can’t bear to stay away from our red wines, find that these are the perfect “stand-ins” as they are made from red grapes!

Just as wines have body and varying mouth feels (viscosity), so do cocktails. If you are a gin and tonic fan laced with loads of fresh lime, or a Caipirinha or Margherita fan you’ll probably be drawn to crisp, Sauvignon Blancs. California, New Zealand and the Loire Valley provide a zesty and fresh quaff, and are streamlined, so to speak, with clean and refreshing crispness, that hits the spot on hot summer days.

ENJOY THE WARMTH WITH THESE WINE LEGEND SELECTIONS!

Sauvigon Blancs

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Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Seifried Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Nobilo Icon Res Sauv Blanc 2006

Rudd Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Bogle Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Ferrari-carano Fume Blanc 2006

Flora Springs Soliloquy 2005

Cartlidge & Brown Sauv Blanc

Benziger Sauv Blanc

Pascal Jolivet Fume 2006

Pascal Jolivet Attitude Sauv Blanc 2006

Domaine Cherrier Sancere 2006

Pastou Sancerre Les Boucaults 2007

Lucien Crochet Sancerre 2006

 

Roses

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Chateau Pavie Macquin Le Rose De Pavie Macquin 2007

Chateau Phelan Segur Le Rose De Phelan Segur Saint Estephe 2007

Muri Gries Lagrein Rosato 2007

Hundred Acre Pink Gold 2006

Mas De Gourgonnier Rose Les Baux De Provence 2007

Crios De Susana Balbo Rose Of Malbec 2007

Librandi Rosato 2007

Chateau De Pavie Le Rose De Pavie Saint Emilion 2007

Trinquevedal Tavel Rose 2007

 

Garage wine project from Andy Erikson and Anie Favia

Screaming Eagle’s wine maker is at it again, proving that great things do come from out of a garage!

Made by the incredible husband and wife team of Andy Erickson, (Staglin, Hartwell, Favia, Ovid, Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle and Arietta), and Anie Favia (viticulturist for Abreu and Screaming Eagle).

This decadent blend of Syrah (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Merlot (15%) and Cabernet Franc (5%) is definitely influenced by the Syrah in the blend. Black fruit and spice with very little new oak make it really pleasant right out of the gate!

Leviathan isn’t meant to be a long-aging wine, it is meant instead to be drunk within the next few years. This is a different approach for Erikson, whose past wine creations are definitely made for cellaring.

This exciting wine is destined to become another “cult wine.”

Get it while you can. Buy Leviathan California Red 2005.

Years ago, sitting at the Passover Seder table with family and friends meant sipping wine throughout the meal which was usually very sweet, or painfully dry.

Thankfully those less than pleasant wine days are gone, due to modern winemaking technology, and the belief that Kosher wine is really only different than all other wines by the method of being flash heated to be considered (mevushal). The use of kosher yeasts in the fermentation process is another difference in their production. Other than that the wines are produced in the same way, but with respect to the observance of Jewish law.

Today, whichever type of wine you enjoy on a regular basis, whether it be a crisp sauvignon blanc, full bodied cabernet sauvignon or gutsy syrah, You can find a really good kosher representation which will surely please.
If you are looking for a nice sauvignon blanc with which to begin your meal, Goose Bay Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 from New Zealand or Baron Herzog Sauvignon Blanc 2005 from California are great choices!

Israel has also become a very successful wine producing country.
If you are a fan of Pinot Noir, you can try Yarden Pinot Noir 2002.
Segal’s Cellar Select Cabernet/Merlot, 2003 and Galil Mountain Merlot 2004 are good choices in big red category, and Barkan Petite Syrah is a pleasant springtime sip.
A truly exceptional wine is Israel’s Domaine du Castel, Grand Vin, 2004.
It is a truly elegant Bordeaux blend, and proof along with the above-mentioned wines, that these are simply terrific wines, which just happen to be Kosher.
You can see our extensive kosher wine selection by going to www.winelegend.com and clicking on the Kosher Wine link!

Are you in search of a little excitement? Take a peek at this second wine made by Roberto Cipresso (winemaker of Fattoria La Fiorita Brunello & Achaval ferrer) in collaboration with American adult-film actress Savanna Samson (Frequent guest on Howard Stern’s show)

Sogno Due, a 100 percent Falanghina from 70 – 85 year old vines planted on their own roots in Naples is only a 400 case production.

If you think Porn-star can’t make serious wine, you will be surprised to know that the red wine which was released last year(Sogno Uno 2004) recieved accolades from Robert Parker and we were sold out instantaneously.

The wine is expected to arrive the end of this week. But don’t wait on this wine too long as lot of party goers drinking this wine on rocks. No Kidding!!!!

Producer: Savanna Samson

Grape: Falanghina
Region: Campania
Wine Type: White
Vintage: 2004

Quantity: 750 ml
Regular Price: $38.99
Sale Price: $29.99
Robert Parker’s Rating for Sogno Uno 2004: 91 Points

Buy Sogno Due 2004 (buy it before its sold out)

For all those who are waiting for Savanna Samson’s Sogno Uno 2004 since Nov 2005, ITS HERE!

The long-awaited Sogno Uno has finally arrived. Sogno Uno or the Dream one is the product of a collaboration between actress Savanna Samson and maverick winemaker Roberto Cipresso, has been the talk of the Italian wine world since it was first introduced a few months ago. Sogno Uno or "Dream One" is Ms. Samson’s first foray into the wine world. It is a blend of Cesanese with smaller amounts of Sangiovese and Montepulciano, made from grapes grown in Lazio. The front label reveals an image of Ms. Samson while the back label quotes from the second book of Virgil’s Georgics. The passage, one of the work’s most famous, describes an offering to Bacchus, god of wine.

Producer: Savanna Samson
Grape: Sangiovese
Region: Lazio
Wine Type: Red
Vintage: 2004
Quantity: 750 ml
Regular Price: $74.99
Sale Price: $49.99
Robert Parker’s Rating: 91 Points

Cick here to buy Sogno Uno 2004 at our Online Wine Store.

Dont be the last one to buy this wine.
do let us know your comments by reviewing this wine or commenting on our blog.

Highly Rated Casisano Colombaio Brunello Di Montalcino 1993. A highly recommended brunello. This wine will sellout quickly.

Wine Spectator Rating: 92 Points (2001 vinatge rated, this one has to be rated)

A wine from one of the upcoming producers Casisano Colombaio. WineSpectator recently reviewed the 2001 brunello and rated 92 Points ‘HIGHLY RECOMMENDED’. Buy as many as you can to drink now while waiting for your recent vintage brunello’s to mature. DON’T MISS THIS OPPURTUNITY!!!

Producer: Casisano Colombaio
Varietal: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Country: France
Region: Tuscany

You can buy this wine at our wine store.
Regular Price: $39.99 | Sale Price: $29.99 (750ml)
Click here to buy this wine!

Highly Rated Valdicava Brunello 2001. A must have Brunello in the 2001 vintage. This wine will sellout quickly.

Wine Spectator Rating: 98 Points
Wine Spectator Review: “Black in color with intense aromas of crushed berries and licorice with hints of oak. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Superb. Best after 2010.”

Winery: Valdicava
Varietal: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Country: France
Region: Tuscany

You can buy this wine at our wine store.
Regular Price: $139.99 | Sale Price: $111.99 (750ml)
Click here to buy this wine!

The availability of this 2000 vintage is very limited.
Wine Spectator Rating: 91 Points
Tasting Notes: “Vibrant aromas of crushed berries and licorice. Full-bodied, with super well-integrated tannins and a long caressing finish. Very fine indeed”

Producer: Chateau Martinens
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation: Margaux

You can buy this wine at our wine store.
Regular Price: $34.99 | Sale Price: $27.99 (750ml)
Click here to buy this wine!

How much would you pay for your favourite bottle of wine? £50, £100? or may be a $500 for the top wine? One wine connoisseur has just bought what is thought to be the most expensive bottle of white wine in the world at US$100,000 (£55,000): a Château Yquem 1787. 

When the grapes for this wine were harvested George Washington was the first President of the United States, the French Revolution was imminent, George III was King of England and James Watt was developing the steam engine.

The valuable bottle was acquired by a UK-based company from a private collector in France.

The interesting thing is that no-one has tasted it, but a number of interesting things come to light. Any wine will slowly evaporate in the bottle, and hence over the years the levels will have been “topped up” – like taking your car into the garage, Bordeaux chateaux will “service” your bottles of fine wine – re-corking, topping-up and often supplying a new label with a certificate of authentication. If you have old or rare bottles of wine it will be important to have some evidence of its provenance (where it came from) and how it has been stored. (It is hard to believe that during this “topping-up” someone was not tempted to try a little sip – for quality control purposes of course! )