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8 Great Kosher Wines To Enjoy This Passover

8 Great Kosher Wines To Enjoy This Passover

Forbes13-04-2025

Generally, being invited to a dinner party on a holiday or special occasion is pretty straightforward. Pick up a bottle of wine and you're all set.
But if you are attending a Passover seder, there's special dietary laws to take into consideration before bringing any wine or food into someone's home.
Wine with kosher four glasses of matzah a Passover Haggadah on a vintage wood background
If planning on enjoying a bottle of wine with an observant kosher person during the Passover holiday, it's important to first check the bottle to see if it has a certified Kosher for Passover symbol or label on it. This means it underwent specific preparation and supervision to make sure it is acceptable to enjoy during the holiday.
While different religious sects may have certain more specific concerns as for bottles, whether it be their origin or if it's mevushal (cooked) or not mevushal, or a preferred origin, that kosher for Passover label will be the first and foremost most important consideration before enjoying any wine at seders or over the eight-day holiday.
Barons de Rothschild Brut Champagne 2023
An elegant sparkling option to enjoy as a welcome toast or during the seder, this Champagne ($98) is made in France and is both kosher for Passover and mevushal. A balanced, dry option, this has a beautiful finish of white fruits and would be lovely either with a cheese spread at a holiday party or over dinner with a poultry or fish option.
Recanati Special Reserve 2020
This hearty red wine ($57) comes from Israel's Merom Ha'Galil within the Upper Galilee, and is an elegant blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan, and Marselan. It's loaded with notes of spice and black cherry, and this non-mevushal kosher for Passover wine would pair lovely with a lamb or beef dish during the seder.
Herzog Special Reserve Méthode Champenoise Rose
This dry sparkling rose ($54) is as celebratory as it is pretty and pink, with notes of apricot and stone fruit. A beautiful way to start an evening or finish with some festive fizz or to toast to special memories.
Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico 2022
Another beautiful full-bodied red wine for the holiday, this non mevushal red kosher For Passover wine ($24) is from Italy and is a traditional Chianti Classico from the Rocca delle Macie, with a blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo.
Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic red, and this hearty wine ($45) has notes of ripe black and red fruits, but also the flavors of chocolate and tobacco. Would be absolutely beautiful with a brisket or pot roast this holiday.
Psagot Sauvignon Blanc 2023
A Sauvignon Blanc from Jerusalem, this dry white wine ($30) is light and well-balanced, with crisp flavors of fruit and subtle acidity. Beautiful to enjoy over fish this holiday.
DAROM Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
A standout dry red wine ($33), this is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Sirah, and 5% Syrah, and from the southern Judean Hills. A dark red color with bold flavor of ripe fruit and spice, this could be a lovely dessert wine or everyday glass during the weeklong festivities.
Psagot Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic for a reason, and this bold red wine ($40), with flavors of vanilla and spice, is award-winning. A weeklong holiday with tons of friends and family is an excuse to always have an bottle of wine on hand for sipping while entertaining.

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Snapping Tel Aviv: Alex Levac on capturing the city that never sleeps

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Jessica Biel on Her New Wine, 'The Better Sister,' and Being a Boy Mom
Jessica Biel on Her New Wine, 'The Better Sister,' and Being a Boy Mom

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time29-05-2025

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Jessica Biel on Her New Wine, 'The Better Sister,' and Being a Boy Mom

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Wine Tasting 101: Mastering the Art of Notes, Aromas, and Flavors
Wine Tasting 101: Mastering the Art of Notes, Aromas, and Flavors

Time Business News

time17-05-2025

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Wine Tasting 101: Mastering the Art of Notes, Aromas, and Flavors

Wine tasting is more than just sipping and swirling. It's an experience that combines the senses, balances art and science, and takes you on a voyage through vineyards around the world. Whether you're a seasoned sommelier or someone who enjoys an occasional glass with dinner, learning how to appreciate wine tasting notes, aromas, and flavors will elevate your enjoyment of wine to a whole new level. This guide will help you: Decode the essential elements of wine tasting notes. Learn how to identify wine aromas and flavors like the professionals. Boost your confidence at tastings, wine clubs, or vineyards with simple tips. Get ready to refine your palate and deepen your understanding of wine. Wine tasting notes are essentially descriptive terms used to articulate the characteristics of a wine. They offer insights into what you can expect from a bottle at the sensory level. Key elements of wine tasting notes: Appearance : The wine's color, clarity, and viscosity (often called 'legs'). For example, a vibrant ruby-red signifies youth in red wines, whereas an amber tone points to age. : The wine's color, clarity, and viscosity (often called 'legs'). For example, a vibrant ruby-red signifies youth in red wines, whereas an amber tone points to age. Aroma : The scents or 'nose' of the wine, which range from fruits and flowers to herbs and spices. : The scents or 'nose' of the wine, which range from fruits and flowers to herbs and spices. Palate (Taste): The flavors you experience when you take a sip, as well as its body, acidity, sweetness, tannins, and finish. (Taste): The flavors you experience when you take a sip, as well as its body, acidity, sweetness, tannins, and finish. Finish: Refers to how long the wine's flavors linger after swallowing. A longer finish often indicates higher quality. Example of a wine note: 'A medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc showing bright citrus aromas, grassy herbaceous notes, and a crisp, refreshing finish.' To fully appreciate a glass of wine, you need to engage three main senses: Sight – Analyze the color, clarity, and viscosity. Smell – Identify different aromas. The nose is critical to understanding the wine's bouquet. Taste – The ultimate test of a wine lies in its balance of flavors and acidity, alongside unique characteristics like tannins or oakiness. By practicing these steps, you'll start recognizing the individuality of every bottle. A wine's aroma is influenced by grape variety, terroir (the environment where the grapes are grown), and the winemaking process. Whether it's a Riesling offering a burst of floral notes or a smoky Syrah, a wine's aroma gives invaluable clues about its origin and age. Wine aromas are often broken into three categories: Primary Aromas (Grape Origin) Derived from the grapes themselves. Common examples: Fruits (berries, stone fruits, citrus) Floral scents (rose, violet, honeysuckle) Herbs (mint, sage, bell pepper) Secondary Aromas (Winemaking Process) Result from fermentation and other production techniques. Common examples: Yeasty notes (bread dough, biscuit) Dairy notes (butter, cream) Developed during aging, either in barrels or bottles. Common examples: Spices (vanilla, clove, nutmeg) Earthy tones (leather, tobacco, mushroom) Oxidative notes (nuts, caramel, honey) Smelling wine might sound simple, but it's a skill that improves with practice. Here's how: Start with a swirl: Swirl the wine in your glass to release volatile compounds that create the aroma. Swirl the wine in your glass to release volatile compounds that create the aroma. Take a deep sniff: Use short, concentrated breaths to capture the wine's core bouquet. Use short, concentrated breaths to capture the wine's core bouquet. Focus on familiar scents: Break down what you smell into recognizable elements, such as blackberry, oak, or fresh-cut grass. Fun fact: Humans can detect over 10,000 scents, making your nose the most powerful tool in wine tasting. Several factors dictate the flavors you'll experience in a wine, from the type of grape to the soil and climate where it was grown. Understanding these influences will deepen your appreciation. Key influencers include: Grape Variety: Each grape has its unique flavor profile. For example, a Chardonnay often carries buttery or tropical flavors, while a Pinot Noir might lean toward ripe cherry and earthiness. Terroir: The environment where the grapes are cultivated, including soil composition, weather, and altitude. Winemaking Techniques: Oak-aging, malolactic fermentation, and blending all contribute to a wine's taste. Here's what to look for when tasting: Fruit-Focused Wines: Examples include strawberry in rosé or green apple in Pinot Grigio. These are typically found in younger wines. Examples include strawberry in rosé or green apple in Pinot Grigio. These are typically found in younger wines. Earthy Wines: Think terroir-driven flavors, such as mushroom and tobacco in aged reds. Think terroir-driven flavors, such as mushroom and tobacco in aged reds. Sweet or Dessert Wines: Examples include honeyed tones in Sauternes or apricots in Riesling. Examples include honeyed tones in Sauternes or apricots in Riesling. Sparkling Wines: Citrus, brioche, and mineral flavors are typical. Pairing your favorite flavors with complimentary foods can take your experience to the next level. Maintain a record of your impressions for every wine you try. Include appearance, aroma, and taste to compare over time. Believe it or not, the shape of a wine glass can enhance aromas and direct flavors to the right parts of your palate. Don't limit yourself to one type of wine. Explore everything from dry whites to bold reds to broaden your horizons and refine your palate. Challenge your taste buds by trying wines without knowing the label or origin. This helps you focus entirely on the flavors and aromas. Match the wine you're tasting with complementary dishes. For example, pair a Cabernet Sauvignon with a juicy steak or a light Sauvignon Blanc with a fresh summer salad. Wine tasting is about exploration. Each bottle tells a story—from the sun-soaked vineyards of France to the rugged Australian outback, you'll uncover rich narratives that make wine more than just a drink. By mastering the art of wine tasting notes, aromas, and flavors, you're equipping yourself with lifelong skills to savor every sip, choose better bottles, and even impress fellow wine enthusiasts. Now that you're equipped with everything you need to elevate your Wine Tasting game, why not put your skills to the test? Pick up a bottle from your local shop or visit a vineyard near you. Remember, the more you practice, the better you'll get at identifying and appreciating the subtleties every wine has to offer. TIME BUSINESS NEWS

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