For many years kosher and Israeli wine (which were essentially equivalent until the past 1-2 decades, as Israeli wine was all kosher until the boutique revolution of the 1990s) had a justifiably bad name as sweet, sickly drink more suited for cost syrup but was suffered on Shabbat and holidays (especially Passover! To this day there are people who buy quality wine but must have that bottle of Manishewitz Concord Grape on Passover!) since it was needed for ritual purposes. That has changed, somewhat, as there are high quality kosher wines coming out of countries such as the United States (particularly from California producers like Herzog, Hagafen, and the world-class Covenant wines), France, Italy, Australia, and, of course, Israel, that are just as good as any wine that doesn’t conform to Jewish ritual law. Yet, many Jewish drinkers and especially observant Jews, still prefer sweet wines. The most sophisticated use dessert wines for Kiddush. While a step up, I truly don’t understand it.
The requirement to drink wine weekly should lead to a more sophisticated group of oenophiles that knows more about wine than the non-observant and non-Jewish crowd. Drinking wine every Friday night and Saturday afternoon provides an opportunity to try new varietals, new producers, and truly explore good wine. After all, there is no need for an excuse – Shabbat comes every week!
This Shabbat, I suggest everyone – Jew, non Jew, non-kosher consumer or kosher consumer – open up a nice bottle of Israeli wine – kosher or not – and start training your palate to appreciate the finest thing in life: good wine and good food.
Personally, I’m opening up a bottle of Galil Mountain Merlot 2006, which Rogov scores a 90 and declares that Galil Mountain is one of the best value wineries. Through the experience of regular Shabbat kiddushim and holiday meals, I have opened my eyes to the tremendous Israeli wines available. I suggest you come join me and do the same.
L’Chaim and Shabbat Shalom
