Kosher wine: an overview of 5 brands
A key characteristic of kosher wine is that it is made by Jews who observe the Sabbath. In addition, the vine must be four years old before berries are harvested, and all ingredients must be of plant origin.
There is another rule for Israeli wines - the "Sabbath year", when the soil is given a rest. Every seventh year is counted from the day the Jewish people entered Israel. It is called "Saturday".
Barkan, Semillon Monfort
Semi-dry white wine, 11% alcohol.
The production is located in Israel, Barkan has existed since 1899. Its founder Solomon Friedman. In 1990, it was bought by Shmuel Boxer and Yair Lerner. This is how it got the name Barkan Wine Cellars. Today, the winery is one of the largest in the country, with a quarter of the shares owned by the state. It is constantly developing, investing in the construction of new plants and the purchase of vineyards.
The wine is based on the Semillon variety. Pleasant straw color. Light and elegant. The taste combines fruit and floral tones, as well as balanced acidity. The aroma reveals pear, lemon and floral notes. The aftertaste is soft.
Bartenura, Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT
White dry, 11.5% alcohol.
The winery is named after the rabbi and Mishnah interpreter Ovadia ben Avraham. It was known by the nickname "Bartenura", consonant with the Italian city of Bertinoro, where it comes from. The company still adheres to the legendary traditions of its country. Of the entire line of wines, kosher wines were in particularly high demand. They were bought by American Jews in the 1980s and 1990s. Not a single religious holiday, whether Rosh Hashanah or Passover, would be complete without a prominent blue bottle.
The drink is produced in the Veneto region from the Pinot Grigio variety. Light golden color. Balanced, emphatically dry taste, framed by hints of lemon zest, herbs and white fruits, with refreshing acidity. The aroma is woven from fruits, herbs and minerals.
Recanati, Special Reserve (kosher)
Dry red wine, 13.8% alcohol.
Recanati has been around since 2000. It was created by a community of enthusiasts, led by Lenny Recanata. The manufacturer was aimed at producing Israeli wines of good quality at an affordable price. The plant is located in the Hefer Valley, Israel, and was equipped with the latest technology. All wines are certified as kosher, and they are constantly monitored by Rabbi Weiss. He holds the position of chairman of the Orthodox Union. The products are both supplied to boutiques and restaurants in the country and exported.
The wine is part of the leading Special Reserve Series and is recognized as its flagship. Its blend is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and about 8% Merlot. Noble ruby color. Full-bodied with velvety tannins. The flavor bouquet reveals herbal, peppery, chocolate and fruity tones. It smells of black berries, roasted coffee and chocolate with hints of tobacco.
Hafner, "Old Vienna Composition" Pinot Gris
Dry white wine, 11.5% alcohol.
The Hafner winery was founded in the nineteenth century in the famous Burgenland wine region of Austria. It is characterized by a unique climate and plenty of sunshine. Viticulture has been flourishing here since the Middle Ages. The "Old Vienna Composition" line was launched in 1999 to celebrate the centenary of the Austrian composer Johann Sebastian Franz Liszt.Strauss, the recognized "king of the waltz". The label shows a monument to the maestro in Vienna, his small homeland.
Pinot Gris for wine is grown in the Burgenland. Any additives and products of animal origin are excluded. The refined, balanced taste surprises with fruity nuances and a refined character. All of this is also readable in the long aftertaste. The delicate aroma has absorbed fruity floral notes and the sweetness of honey and caramel.
Update: 18.07.2020
Category: Wine and Vermouth