These expert tips will ensure you'll find a bottle that will impress both you and your guests.
Image Credit: pixelfit/E+/GettyImages Some of us think of kosher wines as something that we have to drink rather than want to drink. But not all OU-stamped vino is sickly sweet — kosher wine can actually be excellent, so long as you choose the right bottle.
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What's the Difference Between Kosher Wine and Regular Wine?
“Kosher wine is no different from wine that is not certified as kosher,” says Gabriel Geller, a wine expert at Royal Wine Corp., an international distributor owned by the Herzog family, who’s been winemaking since the 19th century.
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"The winemaking process is technically identical, and the only significant difference is that a crew of Sabbath-observant Jews handle all steps of the process from the moment the grapes arrive from the vineyard at the winery through the time the wine is bottled," Geller tells LIVESTRONG.com.
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"The winemaker instructs the crew what to do, when and how — like a conductor directing an orchestra."
Kosher wines adhere to the same basic rules as many non-kosher wines, but they do so more strictly. No animal byproducts or acidifying agents are used, and only yeasts born of grapes can be harvested. Like regular wine, there are generally no added ingredients in kosher wines other than sulfites — and there are a few well-priced options from California and Israel for those who’d prefer to go without or are sensitive to sulfites.
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Tip To pick a good kosher wine, Geller recommends "looking for the region the wine comes from, avoid encountering a wine that would be past its prime." When it comes to color:
Choose red wines that are not older than 5 years from harvest Choose whites that are not older than 2 years from harvest
Now that we’ve got the basics down, here are some of the best kosher wine brands, according to Geller.
Baron Herzog Chardonnay
Visit Page https://go.skimresources.comFor a wine to be labeled “dry,” it must have less than 4 grams of sugar per liter, although most dry wines only have 1 or 2 grams of sugar per liter. Image Credit: Baron Herzog A dry white, this complex wine is made with Central Coast and Russian River Chardonnay grapes, with hints of vanilla, tropical fruits, citrus and apple. This wine has a “creamy mouthfeel” and would pair well with baked salmon or a veal neck roast, Geller says.
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Herzog Lineage Choreograph 2020
Visit Page https://go.skimresources.comThis red wine blend is balanced and versatile. Image Credit: Herzog This is a very bold wine with a unique blend of flavors, including red and black raspberries, espresso and nutmeg. Gellar recommends pairing it with a dish that has a sweet and smoky sauce, such as barbecue short ribs.
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Advertisement Buy it: Drizly (from $17.99); KosherWine.com ($18.99)
Carmel Selected Mediterranean Blend 2019
Visit Page https://go.skimresources.comThis red blend has the OU mark as well as additional supervision. Image Credit: Carmel Selected This refreshing red wine is a blend of Shiraz, Carignan, Petite Sirah and Viognier. While complex, the fact that it’s medium-bodied makes for a nice, versatile option.
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Barkan Classic Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Visit Page https://go.skimresources.comReviewers rave about this wine’s dry flavor and fruity notes. Image Credit: Barkan This crisp wine is light in color and tinged with herbal notes of passionfruit and green apples. It pairs particularly well with fish like flounder and bass.
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Elvi Vina Encina Red
Visit Page https://go.skimresources.comThis red is well-balanced and affordable at under $15. Image Credit: Elvi This ruby-colored Spanish red is filled with delicious notes of blueberries, cherries and aromatic herbs. It’s a versatile pick, as it goes well with any type of food.
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Bartenura Prosecco Brut
Visit Page https://go.skimresources.comPop this prosecco for an effervescent New Year’s Eve. Image Credit: Bartenura Made in the Veneto region of Italy, this dry, fruity prosecco pairs well with hors d’oeuvres, pasta and seafood dishes.
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Goose Bay Pinot Noir 2019
Visit Page https://go.skimresources.comIf you’re looking to spend a bit more, this Goose Bay bottle is perfect for pasta night. Image Credit: Goose Bay While bursting with fruity flavors and offering a distinct pomegranate taste, this is a lighter wine that can appeal to any palate. It pairs well with cheeses and other appetizers. Buy it: Drizly ($28.59); KosherWine.com ($28.99)
Herzog Selection Les Lauriers de Rothschild Montagne Saint-Emilion 2019
Visit Page https://www.kosherwine.comThis highly rated red is made up of 70 percent Merlot and 30 percent Cabernet Franc. Image Credit: Herzog Selection This dry red hails from the St. Emillion region of France, where it is aged in French oak for 12 months. Light, earthy and fruity, a glass of this red wine goes down smooth and is very enjoyable to drink on its own. Buy it: KosherWine.com ($26.99)
Château Les Riganes Bordeaux 2021
Visit Page https://www.kosherwine.comThis fruity-yet-earth red has medium acidity and body. Image Credit: Chateau Les Riganes Hailing from the heart of the Bordeaux region, this is another medium-bodied wine with smooth tannins and berry taste that make it a delight to drink by itself. Buy it: KosherWine.com ($14.99)
Weinstock Cellar Select Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2019
Visit Page https://www.kosherwine.com
This rich cabernet pairs well with red meat, pasta and grilled chicken.
Image Credit: Weinstock This is a wonderfully full-bodied wine with hints of blackberry, cranberry and tobacco in an oak bouquet. Aged in American and French barrels for about 18 months, this rich red is the perfect complement to steak and other hearty dishes. Buy it: Drizly (from $11.21); KosherWine.com ($22.99)
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These expert tips will ensure you'll find a bottle that will impress both you and your guests.
Image Credit: pixelfit/E+/GettyImages
Image Credit: pixelfit/E+/GettyImages
To pick a good kosher wine, Geller recommends “looking for the region the wine comes from, avoid encountering a wine that would be past its prime.” When it comes to color:
Choose red wines that are not older than 5 years from harvest Choose whites that are not older than 2 years from harvest
Choose red wines that are not older than 5 years from harvest
Choose whites that are not older than 2 years from harvest
Visit Page https://go.skimresources.comFor a wine to be labeled “dry,” it must have less than 4 grams of sugar per liter, although most dry wines only have 1 or 2 grams of sugar per liter. Image Credit: Baron Herzog
Image Credit: Baron Herzog
Buy it: Drizly (from $13.59); KosherWine.com ($12.99)
This red wine blend is balanced and versatile.
Image Credit: Herzog
Image Credit: Herzog
Buy it: Drizly (from $17.99); KosherWine.com ($18.99)
This red blend has the OU mark as well as additional supervision.
Image Credit: Carmel Selected
Image Credit: Carmel Selected
Buy it: Drizly (from $12.47); KosherWine.com ($12.99)
Reviewers rave about this wine's dry flavor and fruity notes.
Image Credit: Barkan
Image Credit: Barkan
Buy it: Drizly (from $12.99); KosherWine.com ($11.99)
This red is well-balanced and affordable at under $15.
Image Credit: Elvi
Image Credit: Elvi
Buy it: Drizly (from $14.99); KosherWine.com ($12.99)
Pop this prosecco for an effervescent New Year's Eve.
Image Credit: Bartenura
Image Credit: Bartenura
Buy it: Drizly (from $17); KosherWine.com ($19.99)
If you're looking to spend a bit more, this Goose Bay bottle is perfect for pasta night.
Image Credit: Goose Bay
Image Credit: Goose Bay
Buy it: Drizly ($28.59); KosherWine.com ($28.99)
Visit Page
https://www.kosherwine.com
This highly rated red is made up of 70 percent Merlot and 30 percent Cabernet Franc.
Image Credit: Herzog Selection
Image Credit: Herzog Selection
Buy it: KosherWine.com ($26.99)
This fruity-yet-earth red has medium acidity and body.
Image Credit: Chateau Les Riganes
Image Credit: Chateau Les Riganes
Buy it: KosherWine.com ($14.99)
This rich cabernet pairs well with red meat, pasta and grilled chicken.
Image Credit: Weinstock
Image Credit: Weinstock
Buy it: Drizly (from $11.21); KosherWine.com ($22.99)
