Kosher Wine for Passover 2007 - 5766
“And wine will gladden life” Kohelles (Ecclesiastes)
Wine can be a double-edged sword. It can be associated with sanctification or desecration. It has a very dark side associated with drunken excess, licentiousness, depravity, immorality, and the addictive tragedy of alcoholism as well as evil and frightening ritualism. It can be a magical beverage to enhance a meal or to savor and share with others. For Jews, the status of Kosher, (Literally “fit or suitable”) in both content and context, elevates wine, as it does everything, to a higher spiritual and behavioral level. Hence, our tradition teaches that in proper context, wine can enhance a mitzvah.
We use wine in many of our rituals: including birth and the covenant of circumcision (bris mila), the wedding chuppa (canopy), Kiddush (sanctification) for the Shabbos and Yomim Tovim (holidays). While most occasions call for just one glass, on Passover, the mitzvah requires us to drink a minimum of most of four glasses of wine at one sitting in order to properly conduct the Passover Seder. (I know a Rabbi who says, “Who else but Jews would actually complain about how much they have to drink?”)
Our sages tell us in Mishna Pesachim 10:1 that the four cups of wine consumed at the Passover Seder correspond to four expressions of redemption mentioned in the Torah (Exodus 6: 6-7).
1. V'hotzaiti -- "and I removed you"
2. V'hitzalti-- "and I rescued you"
3. V'go'alti -- "and I redeemed you"
4. V'lakachti -- "and I took you"
Wine for use during Passover, in addition to meeting the year round requirements must also meet special strict Passover dietary laws which include the prohibition of chometz or leavened products. The vast majority of kosher wines are produced as “Kosher for Passover” all year round but nothing will replace checking the label for a symbol or consulting a reliable Passover guide to food and beverage.
I am aware of no obligation to use the same wine for all four cups. You can definitely mix varieties during the course of Seder, or not, and that freedom of choice, is very much the point. I recommend diversity. If you choose this pathway, I recommend that you start with the bigger dryer wines at the beginning, and move to the sweeter wines after the meal. Offer options. Consider those who do not like dry wine. Most hold that red wine is preferable. I offer the following guide for sequence. Remember this is a guide!
First Cup
It is early and your taste buds are fresh. Start with the big, full bodied, dry red varietals when you can most enjoy and appreciate them. Cabernet, Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir ( Burgundy Bordeaux
Second Cup
You might consider a Syrah, Grenache, Chianti, Red Zinfandel. If you want to move to something semi-dry, try Ella Valley Blush Zinfandel, Herzog Selection Valflore or Bartenura Lambrusco. For those who have not developed an appreciation for dry wine, you might consider, a wine from Baron Herzog called Jeunesse. It has the unmistakable nose of a classic Cabernet with just enough natural sweetness to introduce the novice to the complex character of a varietal typically the choice of a more seasoned palate.
Third Cup
It’s time for a nice dessert wine. Try a Port, Black Muscat Muscat Hamburg Timor Concord
Fourth Cup
Take the party wine out from the refrigerator. Try something economical, refreshing, light, sweet, effervescent and cold. You might consider Joyvan Red, Vino Sweet Red, Roso, Blush Spumante or Zinfantini.
Yes, each of the four glasses is associated with a different part of the Seder and represents an expression of our redemption. We are free to exercise our free will, but within limits. Isn’t that the heart of the story? We’re free to choose, but with a purpose, meaning, and context. What purpose? It may well be the core question for the Seder table. We tell the story and ask the questions. It’s a mitzvah d’orisa (obligation from the Torah).
A searchable database of over 1,000 kosher wines can be found on my website at www.guidetokosherwine.com
What an extraordinary beverage!
A list of best values follow for Passover 2007
מ = Mevushal Wines
Ratings: 8= good, 8+ = very good, 9 = excellent, 9+ = really outstanding
Prices are approximate and will vary.
Cabernet Sauvignon [Red Dry] –
Herzog Selection Organic, VDP, $8, FRANCE
This comes from the vineyards of Languedoc
Carmel Private Selection, $16, ISRAEL
Produced from grapes grown in the Galilee
Paarl Eshkol 2003, $19, SOUTH AFRICA
Good structure with a long finish. The wine has a deep red hue and tastes leafy and minty with firm tannins.
Merlot [Red, Dry] –
Carmel Regional Appellation 2003, $22, ISRAEL
It is a rich purple in color with notes of cassis, violets and bittersweet chocolate and is full bodied with a long finish.
Recanati 2004, ISRAEL
Full and aromatic with a deep red color.
Chateau Laville $13.00, FRANCE
Ruby red, soft tannins, good balance, complexity and finish.
Blend: Cabernet - Merlot ( Bordeaux
Chateau Camplay $14, FRANCE
A dark garnet color with real depth and body. medium dry, medium tannins, good texture and balance. Complex blends of fruit, including plums, cherries and blackberries, fully dry finish.
Carmel ISRAEL
A 60% - 40% blend grown on the slopes of the Galilee
Pinot Noir: [Red, Dry]
Goose Bay $19, NEW ZEALAND
Produced using grapes harvested in New Zealand South Island
Teal Lake 2001, $19 AUSTRALIA
This medium bodied wine is rich with cherry and strawberry flavors. These flavors, for which Pinot is renowned, will develop in the bottle over the medium term.
Young Cabernet: [Red Semi Dry] ,
Herzog Jeunesse 2005, $11 USA
Classic notes of Cabernet Sauvignon (variety not normally for the novice) are evident in an easy drinking wine that includes a beautiful purple color, a soft texture, a perceived sweetness on one's palate, with fresh berry, cherry and floral aromas.
Shiraz
Beckets Flat Shiraz 2003, $20, AUSTRALIA
Hand-crafted and estate-bottled in the pristine environment of the famous Margaret River Western Australia
Teal Lake Shiraz 2004 $12, AUSTRALIA
Vibrant red in color with very purple hues. It shows an intense spicy, fragrant bouquet together with stylish elegant berry fruit flavors on the palate.
Chardonnay: [White, Dry]
Teal Lake 2004, $13, AUSTRALIA
A full flavored Chardonnay, dominant melon-like characters, and pleasing buttery aftertaste
Hagafen $17, USA
Rich in flavor and varietal character, complemented by aging in small oak barrels.
Yarden Odem Organic Chardonnay 2002, ISRAEL
A complex wine balancing fruit and floral notes with hints of oak and butter.
Chenin Blanc: [White, Dry]
Tishbi Baron 2005, $9, ISRAEL
Ripe quince, honey and pears with a hint of sea salt on the nose. Even on the palate with apricots and plums. A mineral-tinged wine with a short finish.
Herzog Clarksburg 2003 $12, USA
Focused and crisp, with intense passion fruit and citrus flavors and touch of sweetness in the finish.
Other
Abarbanel Alsace FRANCE
Soft and inviting, intense aromas and flavors of pear, with a hint of banana.
Herzog Black Muscat 2005, [Red, Sweet], $11, USA
Classic notes of fresh Muscat
Kinneret Ella Valley Muscat Hamburg 2003, [Rose, Sweet], $11, ISRAEL
Stands out as a sweet desert wine with lots of character.
Herzog Selection Valflore Vin de Pays, [Red, Semi-Dry], $9, FRANCE
The Carignan and the Grenache combine their nuances in this appealing medium dry red wine. |
L‘chaim Users Guide To Kosher Wine 1.0 available at Amazon.com and bookstores near you.
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Maurie Rosenberg is the author of “L’chaim – Users Guide to Kosher Wine 1.0”. It is the definitive guide to the joys and uses kosher wine. He writes and speaks on wine as an observant Jew and joyful wine enthusiast. He has been a chemical engineer, a business manager and a management consultant in the fields of ceramic design, manufacture and import as well as in kosher catering and retail wine sales. Currently living in Silver Spring Maryland, with his wife (and High School sweetheart), he enjoys good wine, good food, sailing, skin-diving, playing the guitar, astronomy, and spoiling his grandchildren. He can be reached at his website www.guidetokosherwine.com
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