Best Kosher Wines
Does the memory of bad kosher wine have you wanting to bypass it forever? Maybe it’s time you gave it a second look—kosher wines have come a long way, and many are deliciously delicate and nuanced, the product of talented winemakers experimenting with different varietals and techniques. From inexpensive bubbly to a graceful Bordeaux blend, here are 10 bottles that make us say l’chaim!
Baron Herzog Lodi Syrah 2007
From California’s Edna Valley and Sierra Foothills comes this fruit-forward, food-friendly wine with notes of black cherry, juicy berries and a soft finish of white pepper and smoke. Try it with anything from tangy marinara pasta to grilled Portobello mushrooms. $13, herzog.com
Domaine du Castel “Petit Castel” 2006
Aged 16 months in part new, part used French oak barrels, this Israel-produced Bordeaux blend is dark and brooding with aromas of blackberries and cassis, flavors of dark plums and a subtle finish of roasted cocoa. Try it with a New York strip, lamb or brisket. $47, klwines.com
Galil Mountain Barbera 2006
A taste of northern Italy makes its way to Israel with this ruby-red Barbera, where tart, sour cherries and ripe raspberries soften into a lingering finish of oak and vanilla. Try it with pizza or a meaty ragu. $14, kosherwine.com
Golan Heights “Gamla” Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
This cooler-climate Cab is aged in a mix of French and American oak, making it a great candidate for your cellar, while a subtle dose of Cabernet Franc and Malbec before bottling makes it deliciously approachable anytime. $20, drinkupny.com
Golan Heights Moscato 2009
The perfect brunch sipper, this sparkling and slightly sweet wine is low in alcohol and full of orange blossom aromas, tropical fruit flavors and a hint of marzipan on the finish. $12, klwines.com
Goose Bay Savignon Blanc 2008
New Zealand’s first kosher wine, this Sauv Blanc is bright and fruity with flavors of tart green apples and freshly cut grass. Bright acidity and good balance make this Marlborough District white perfect with mild, flaky fish. $18, klwines.com
Hagafen Zinfandel 2007
Ripe with notes of black cherries, wild berries and firm tannins, this Napa Valley Cab Franc is aged for 19 months in French and American barrique and splashed with a touch of Merlot before bottling. A perfect barbecue wine. $36, hagafen.com
Tishbi Pinot Noir 2006
This Pinot is the perfect party red with balanced fruit and approachable acidity and tannins. Sip alongside appetizers, burgers or take-out. $22, winelibrbary.com
Yarden Brut NV
Made in the méthode champenoise, this Golan Heights, Israel blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is rich and creamy with a subtle aroma of toast and vanilla and flavors of lemon zest and ripe peaches. Serve as an aperitif or pair it with a main course of roasted chicken. $20, winebuys.com
Yarden Heightswine Gewürtztraminer 2010
Unabashedly sweet, this dessert wine is crafted from frozen Gewürtztraminer grapes harvested in Israel’s northernmost appellation. Its rich flavors of candied pineapple, dried apricots and a hint of spice shine alongside shortbread or biscotti. $16, wallywine.com