With Passover coming in April, it's a good time to scout out some great wines for the Seder table. My friendly, neighborhood publicity person,
Vicki Jakubovic, has passed along some suggestions for wines to seek out from Royal Wine Corp, the largest manufacturer and distributor of Kosher wine.
Vicki asks, "Why settle for ordinary when you can enjoy a glass of history, culture, and craftsmanship?" She reminds us that "the four cups of wine aren't just about tradition - they're about creating memories, laughter, and connection."
Eight-Day Passover Holiday Begins Apr 12 - Apr 20, Celebrating Freedom
The holiday is celebrated with festive meals. Part of the celebration includes the Seder - a dinner at which the story of Passover is told, commemorating the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt and their ultimate exodus to freedom. During the Seder meal, adults consume four cups of wine to symbolize the Ten Plagues that befell Egypt during the time of the Exodus. In many homes today, wine is the star of the Passover show. Forty percent of kosher wines are sold for the Passover Holiday.
The following are some of the wines under the Royal umbrella which she assures us will make Passover even more special.
USA:
· Herzog Generation VIII Cabernet Sauvignon Double Creek Vineyard Chalk Hill 2021: A rich, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from Chalk Hill's esteemed Double Creek Vineyard, showcasing the perfect balance of power and elegance (SRP: $200)
· Herzog Special Reserve Chenin Blanc 2023: A crisp and refreshing Chenin Blanc with notes of citrus, green apple, and honey, perfect for warm weather sipping (SRP: $35)
France:
· Great new 2022 vintage burgundy wines from Domaine du Château Philippe Le Hardi: A range of exceptional Burgundy wines, including the rare kosher Grand Cru Clos Vougeot, highlighting the region's renowned terroir and winemaking expertise (SRP: $65 - $500)
· Château Le Gay Pomerol 2022: A luxurious, full-bodied Pomerol from one of the region's most prestigious estates, boasting rich flavors of dark fruit, spice, and velvety tannins (SRP: $250)
· J. de Villebois Pouilly-Fumé Silex Blancs 2023: A crisp and mineral-driven Pouilly-Fumé, showcasing the region's signature flinty notes and citrus flavors (SRP: $50)
· Château Bellevue Morgon Grand Cras: A high-quality, full-bodied Beaujolais from the esteemed Morgon appellation, offering rich flavors of dark fruit, spice, and smooth tannins (SRP: $35)
· Clos Triguedina Probus: A flagship Malbec wine from the renowned Clos Triguedina estate in Cahors, boasting rich flavors of dark fruit, spice, and velvety tannins (SRP: $110).
Italy:
· Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico: A classic, full-bodied Chianti Classico from the esteemed Rocca delle Macie estate, highlighting the region's signature blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, and other local varieties (SRPs: $25- $100).
Spain:
· Clos Mesorah and Elvi Wines release a very limited new wine from Garnatxa Nera (Grenache Noir): A limited-edition, full-bodied red wine from the esteemed Clos Mesorah and Elvi Wines, showcasing the rich flavors and velvety texture of Garnatxa Nera (SRP: $80)
Israel
· Feldstein- Dabouki Dry White Wine, Grenache Rose dry rose, Gilgamesh Dry red, & Cabernet Sauvignon dry red: A range of exceptional wines from the esteemed Feldstein winery, offering a perfect blend of quality, elegance, and value (SRPs: $50-$90)
· Gros: A selection of high-quality wines from the renowned Gros winery, boasting rich flavors and smooth textures (SRP: $45- $90)
· Naveh by Chateau Golan: A range of exceptional wines from the esteemed Naveh by Chateau Golan winery, offering a perfect blend of quality, elegance, and value (SRP: $50 - $85)
· Darom Cabernet Sauvignon- Vintage: 2023 | Dry Red Wine, Yatir Winery: A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from the esteemed Darom winery, boasting rich flavors of dark fruit, spice, and smooth tannins (SRP: $32)
Jay Buchsbaum, Royal Wine’s VP & Director of Wine Education notes, "The kosher wine industry has seen … incredible growth and industry accolades."
Increased variety: The range of kosher wines has expanded significantly, with more varieties, shades, and flavors to choose from. White, sparkling, and rosé wines are especially popular.
More kosher brands: There are now many more kosher brands to choose from than in the past.
Boutique wineries: A new trend is the emergence of kosher micro-wineries in Israel, often founded in people's garages. These small, family-owned wineries are all-kosher.
Organic and sustainable wines: Some kosher wineries are certified for organic grapes, sustainability, and carbon footprint.
Higher quality: Kosher wines have evolved from cloyingly sweet to well-balanced and complex.
Buchsbaum adds, "Kosher wine is made with the same fermenting process as traditional wine but only uses kosher-certified ingredients. The creation of kosher wine must be supervised and conducted by Sabbath-observant Jews."
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