| By :
Mark Etinger
Is keeping kosher keeping you from being the wine enthusiast that you really are, deep down inside? Well, if it does, you probably live in the Dark Ages or still stuck in the 80's (although is practically the same...) because kosher wine is not what it used to be, not anymore. I mean, seriously, have you tried to taste the lovely Tishbi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, straight from the luxurious Gush Etzion Vineyard? Yup, ranks high up there with the big guys. Or what about Barkan's classic Petite Syrah, or the lovely Merlot? You know, Barkan winery has been around for 100 years. They make wines since the late 1890s. That long! Okay, alright, it's true that when people think of kosher food they think of matzo ball soup and when they think of kosher wine they think about a reddish dark liquid substance, that tastes sweet and funny and maybe have grapes in it, but definitely has nothing to do with wine. But this doesn't mean that things are really like that out there. A lot of stuff happened since Manischewitz you know? First, there are tons of new and exciting Israeli boutique wineries that produce magnificent kosher wines that are actually quite acclaimed all over the world. These guys win prizes and score high rankings at the best, world-class competitions, where good wine is highly appreciated. But don't take any Israeli wine to be kosher, oh no! There's are actually some strict rules regarding kosher wine making and some wineries cannot handle all the responsibility. You see, it takes more than just a Rabbi to come over and make a wine kosher. A lot more than that. Kosher wine begins in the ground. In the fields. According to Jewish law, wine makers must not produce wine from new vines, until the fourth year. And then, every seventh year the grape fields should be left untouched, and can be of no use whatsoever. After that, you have to make sure that all of your equipment is kosher. That goes for the tools and barrels and all the facilities of a winery. Want more rules? Oh I got more! - Only religious Jewish males are allowed to take part in the wine production. - No animal products can be used in the wine making process. - A small percentage of the wine must be discarded. - Wine barrels must be cleaned and cleaned again. Three times actually. So how can you now if your wine is kosher? Well, a pick at the label will sure do. Or you can head on to your local kosher wine shop, many available online, and indulge your senses in a the best of the best. Wines are produced kosher all around the world these days. So don't be surprised to find kosher wines from Chile, Spain, France, New Zealand, South Africa and any other wine making empires. All you have to do is open up, and enjoy the taste of kosher wines, the taste of a true, long lasting tradition.
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