No need to whine about Kosher for Passover wine anymore

To some, the words “kosher wine” sends a body shiver comparable to poking one’s head out of a door on a chilly, January morning. For many years, this was pretty accurate. In defense, those wines were primarily for sacramental purposes and not widely consumed by today’s savvy consumer. While sweet, jammy wines hold nostalgic charm, today’s oenophiles can celebrate Passover with world class choices. We owe this to the deployment of top varietal grapes, skilled winemakers, and state-of-the-art facilities.

What exactly makes a wine kosher?

They are produced based on the rule of halachah (Jewish law) that follow strict guidelines from the time the grapes enter the winery to the moment the wine is bottled. Certified kosher wines require Shabbat-observant Jews to supervise the winemaking process. Only kosher-certified materials are utilized in the production and clarification of wine.

Importantly, grapes must not be picked from a vineyard before three years of age, and the grapes must not be grown in the same field as other agricultural produce. All kosher wine will have a hechsher on the label, the official mark of kosher certification.

Eight years ago, I had an amazing opportunity to visit several Israeli wineries. While I knew of their reputation prior, I was still incredibly impressed by the production facilities–and captivated by the scenery. Indeed, the modern equipment employed would make their California peers jealous. This excellence was everywhere, even with the “mom and pops.”

The one producer that stood out was Tulip Winery. In 2003, the Itzhaki family fulfilled their long-held vision by founding Tulip, an expression of their great passion for wine and huge love of people. This was a true milestone–combining fine, high-quality wines with a commitment to community “give back.”

The hillside in Kfar Tikva, a kibbutz for residents with special needs, was the perfect and most natural setting for building the winery. I was so moved by Tulip’s inspiring and thriving model of seamlessly employing and empowering these community members.

Tulip has become one of Israel’s elite wineries with a portfolio of unique, bold, and out-of-the-box wines that have gained international recognition through awards and wine critics alike.

At Schaefer’s, we’re proud to carry the following Tulip offerings–all kosher for Passover:

Tulip “White Tulip” 2016, $24.95 – An incredible and unique blend of Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc, this white wine showcases the characteristics of both grapes–the fruity and delicately spicy aromas from the Gewurztraminer along with the grapefruit, pear and lychee aromas from the Sauvignon Blanc.

Tulip “Just” Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, $14.97 – 90% Cabernet, 5% Carignan and 5% Viognier, this red reflects the winemaker’s desire to combine grapes from several of Tulip’s premium vineyards, resulting in a rich and complex wine that offers notes of dark berries, dry herbs, and vanilla with a long and powerful finish.

Tulip “Espero” Red 2016, $31.97 – A blend of Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, the Espero (which means “hope”) has the perfect balance of dark fruit flavors, notes of spice and cocoa, and a jammy, long texture.

When selecting your kosher wines for Passover, it shouldn’t be any different than choosing a wine for other celebratory meals. From Israel to France, Italy, South Africa, Morocco, Australia, Chile, and the United States, there are several great producers from all corners of the world. And you don’t have to spend a fortune on your choice. You should be able to get a memorable bottle for $10-$25.

Mick Ter Haar is the Beverage Director of Schaefer’s Fine Wines & Spirits in Skokie.