Passover and Easter Blog
WINES TO CELEBRATE EASTER AND PASSOVER
Whether it’s Kosher wines for Passover or picking the perfect wines to pair with your Easter meal, we’re here to help at Ed’s. These holy holidays most often come with the tradition of sharing a meal with family and friends, and sharing wine. What does “Kosher for Passover” actually mean in terms of wine? There is a legend that Kosher wines are blessed by a rabbi, which is incorrect. There are strict guidelines for the handling and supervision of Kosher and Mevushal wines and many of the products used for winemaking; including yeasts and sugars must all be certified as Kosher. The main difference between Kosher and Mevushal lies in the handling of the wine. To be considered Kosher, Sabbath observant Jews must be the only ones to supervise and often handle the actual process of winemaking. A wine is considered Mevushal – basically boiled or cooked, that can then be used or handled or served by non-Jews.
Kosher wine is made in the same way as non-kosher wine with the exception of the “cooking”. In a process called flash pasteurization, the wine is heated to the boiling point for a split second, rarely affecting the flavor or quality of the wine- this is the “boiling” to make it Mevushal and allowed to be served by non Jews. In the Passover holiday, the Seder meal historically required 4 cups of wine to be served.
Many of the foods we eat every day are Kosher and the only way to tell is a little R with a circle around it on the packaging. There is no difference other than the supervision or handling of the product by a Sabbath observant. The Passover Seder itself is a holiday dinner that kicks off eight Days of Observance in the Jewish Faith. Oftentimes, in preparing foods for Passover, cleaning out the kitchen gets rid of products made from grains or wheats- to commemorate the Exodus of Egypt, where Israelites left in such haste they didn’t have time to let their bread rise. This is why Matzah is a central part of the Seder. Whether you celebrate Passover or you’re a guest at a Seder, expect spring salads, traditional briskets, healthy roasted chicken or lamb, and vegetables, with potato sides. Traditional dishes could also include Kugle, a noodle casserole, dishes made with dried fruits, and Passover desserts like macaroons or coconut cookies made without flour.
You most certainly can enjoy any Kosher wines on your Easter table, which is often set with foods like roasted leg of lamb, traditional smoked ham, grilled salmon, roast beef and potatoes, and of course- the Easter eggs! Whether you’re celebrating the rise of Christ for Easter, or the freedom of the Israelites, or just welcoming the Easter bunny and enjoying a great dinner, we’ve got a wine for that! The challenge is to find a wine that will go with all of the different tastes on the table. Here’s a few suggestions for either celebration.
Try starting out with a wonderful Lambrusco from Italy for your Easter guests. Cantina di Carpi e Sorbara “Emma” Lambrusco (we just refer to it as Emma) is an off dry, fruity sparkler vibrant and elegant, produced in the heart of the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. A great way to kick off the day with deviled eggs and shrimp cocktail or a charcuterie platter, with this dark rose’ bubbles. We give it three bones.
On the Kosher side, Cantina Gabriele Moscato is Kosher, Mevushal with just enough sweetness to enjoy as an aperitif or with those macaroons at the end of the meal. Slight effervescence, a touch of apricot and tropical fruit in a pretty blue bottle. We give it two bones.
Seafood courses and light eating scream for light whites. A traditional New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Skyleaf, from the South Island of Marlborough shows tropical fruit and citrus, with soft acidity to pair with fish, the wine is understated in its grapefruit finish. We give it two bones.
Meadowcroft Pinot Noir from Sonoma is a perfect expression of what Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley should be. The meaning of Meadowcroft is a fertile field or meadow, and croft refers to a cultivated area that has been nurtured over time. Tom Meadowcroft and his family have been farming in Carneros using sustainable practices for over a decade. The wine is light in color and body, but still shows vibrant ruby tones, with aromas of baked cherry pie, flavors of red fruit, kola nuts, and a lush finish. This wine will pair well with smoked ham or seafood dishes. We give it three bones.
The Butcher’s Daughter Cotes du Rhone is well balanced with ripe red fruit on the nose, subtle pepper and spice, and soft tannins. Kosher for Passover, the Rhone blend of Syrah and Grenache work well with braised brisket for your Seder dinner.
The wine originated from when the daughter of one of Paris’ most famous butchers decided to open a restaurant and needed Kosher wines. We give it two bones.
Moving on to a heavier meal, the perfect “different” wine for an herb roasted leg of lamb or beef is Vina Maitia Weon Carignan produced in the Maule Valley, Chile. Trying an unordinary wine for Easter is fun for wine lovers and experimenters. Notes of blackberry, cinnamon and cedar, with a palate of dark fruit and mushrooms, food will only bring out the flavors in this varietal. Carignan is originally of Spanish origin and is used as a blending grape throughout France. Carignan grows well in the rich soils of Chile, and Vina Maitia uses only native yeast with organic practices. We give it three bones.
South Africa makes Kosher wine, too! Unorthodox Merlot/Cabernet blend offers up aromas of layered red fruit, with hints of vanilla and oak. This is another Kosher wine that could work for Passover dinner or your Easter table. The wine is produced under the auspices of Beth Din of South Africa and the Orthodox Union of the US. This full-bodied wine will pair perfectly with your comforting brisket. Unorthodox is a celebration of Jewish life. We give it three bones.
The Easter table could also benefit from a good old American Zinfandel. Pure and fruit forward with concentrated notes of dark cherry and blackberry,
Hullabaloo Zinfandel from California is a crowd pleaser. Six months in American oak, harvested from Old Vines it can be enjoyed with a slight chill, either on the patio, or at the dinner table. This wine is part of the same group that sources and makes Skyleaf mentioned above, with renowned woman winemaker Molly Lippit at the helm. We give it three bones.
Look for these wines at our Friday night tastings and don’t forget to stock up for the upcoming holy holidays. Shalom.
By CRBrown
