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!

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!

For Jewish people, Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the world, as it was on this day that God created man on the 6th day of creation. The celebration starts this year on the evening of Oct. 3 and lasts for the next two days. These are the first two days of the first Jewish month of Tishrei, marking the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Wine is an integral part of the celebration.

Here are some cool kosher wines that you might want to try:
1. Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Kosher
2. Herzog Cabernet Special Reserv
3. Teal Lake Shiraz
4. Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon
5. Bartenura Moscato D’asti

Happy Rosh Hashanah!

If you are looking for some cool greetings for Rosh Hashanah, here are some links:
http://www.123greetings.com/events/rosh_hashanah/
http://www.101rosh-hashanah.com/
http://www.egreetingz.com/religion/jewish/rosh_hashanah/