Top kosher wines for Passover

(All rights reserved to DecantingIsrael.com)

Passover begins on March 30 and the perfect gift to bring to Seder is a bottle or two of kosher wine.

Kosher wine has come a long way, having previously been considered an unsophisticated grape juice masking as wine with very few options available.

Here are some recommendations from DecantingIsrael, a kosher wine review site, and renowned wine-ranking guide Winespectator's top 20 kosher wines.

DecantingIsrael.com tastes kosher wines from Israeli vineyards:

- Segal's Fusion Red 2008, a red blend with merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc $12 (€8.90)
- Galil Mountain Shiraz 2008 $14.99 (€10.40)
- Yatir Sauvignon Blanc $33-40 (€24.50-30)

Tasting vlog channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/decantingisrael

Winespectator interviews Jean-Luc Thunevin, the owner of Château Valandraud and the wine-maker of a cult, kosher Bordeaux - Chateau de Valandraud St. Emilion Grand Cru 2001 $449 (€335) http://www.winespectator.com/video/index/playerid/315932961?bcpid=315932961&bclid=323814015&bctid=713069829 (video)

Here are DecantingIsrael's recommendations for Passover or Pesach (though pricing varies greatly from Israeli wine stores to international markets, most of the bottles range from €22-33):

- 2006 Shiloh Sod
- Galil Mountain Barbera
- 2007 Agur's Kessem
- 2007 Shokek Merlot
- 2007 Tzuba's Metsudah Shiraz  
- Barkan Classic Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2007 Psagot Merlot
- 2006 Shiloh Merlot/ Shiraz Blend
- 2005 Tura's Merlot
- 2007 Castel's "C" Blanc
- 2007 Adir Cabernet Sauvignon
- Tura's "Portura" Dessert Red

Winespectator has paired two dishes with 20 different kosher wines; here is their top five:

- 2006 Tabor Cabernet Sauvignon Galilee Adama Volcanic Soil $21 (€15.55)
- 2007 Daltôn Alma Galilee $26 (€19.25)
- 2005 Ella Valley Vineyards Ever Red Judean Hills $28 (€20.75)
- 2005 Ella Valley Vineyards Merlot Judean Hills $34 (€25.18)
- 2006 Recanati Cabernet Sauvignon Galilee Reserve $25 (€18.50)

For the entire wine list with tasting notes and scores plus get the recipes for veal spareribs and grilled turkey cutlets with citrus glaze, go to: http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/42360