A wine guide for Passover
(For the Seder, a dinner at which the story of Passover is told, wine is the star of the show in many homes.)
The Jewish holiday of Passover, which this year begins at sundown on April 12 and ends at nightfall on April 20, is an eight-day holiday celebrated with festive meals in which no leavened bread can be consumed, substituted with matzah. 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 meal, adults consume four cups of wine, pouring out a portion 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. And with a wide selection of award-winning kosher wines available from the best wine-producing regions of the world, there’s a great Passover wine for every palate and budget.
Jay Buchsbaum, Royal Wine’s vice president and director of wine education, noted the kosher wine industry “has seen many trends in recent years, with incredible growth and industry accolades.” They include:
- 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.
- 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.
- Many more kosher-keeping consumers drink wine now than in the past.
- Higher quality. Kosher wines have evolved from cloyingly sweet to well-balanced and complex.
“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,” said Buchsbaum.
According to Buchsbaum, here’s what to look for when buying kosher wines for Passover: Check the label to confirm if the wine is mevushal or non-mevushal. Make sure the wine is kosher for Passover, which means it has been supervised and prepared in a certain way. Check that all ingredients, including yeasts and fining agents, are kosher. And make sure no preservatives or artificial ingredients are used.