One of the things that I have always struggled with in my wine buying experience has been finding wines for Shabbat that are unique enough to differentiate them as a special wine for Shabbat. While there are many very well made and quality wines that I have reviewed and will review in the future, the wines contained in this post all standout in some way that makes them an interesting choice for a more unique Shabbat experience. These wines stand out in a number of differing ways, including varietal choice, style of winemaking, as well as flavor. These wines comprise a bit of a motley crew, they are extremely versatile and do not compromise quality for price. Additionally they each pair well with foods that many of us tend to consume at traditional Shabbat meals, and each lend a unique character to the Shabbat experience.
Kiddush
For Kiddush I almost always use a wine that is lighter in body and that gives off “clean” and inviting flavors that work well at the beginning of the meal. I tend to stay away from heavily oaked wines as they fatigue the palate, and are not served well by the lighter fare that typically follows Kiddush at my Shabbat table. However, there are those that are stringent and only make Kiddush on red wine. This poses an issue. Therefore, I have included one white and one red option that meet all the requirements listed above.
Abarbanel “Batch 30” 2014 Unaoked Chardonnay $12
This star-bright white wine has inviting aromas of snappy lemon zest, orange rind, as well as some spice and floral notes. The nose indicates an acidic, grassy, and fresh wine, and the mouth lives up to the billing. Citrus notes abound on the palate with a stiff does spice on the end. If I had to sum up this wine in one word, that word would be “clean”. Its extremely well composed and balanced with nice fruit as well as some snappy acid. This is the perfect sipping wine for a summer Shabbat that goes well with a variety of dips and salads.
Score: A-
Value Score: A-
Domaine du Val Brun Saumur Champigny 2011 $23
This is one of the only red wines from the Loire Valley on the kosher market in the United States. It is comprised of 100% Cabernet Franc and is meant to be enjoyed slightly chilled. The wine is a dark pink almost ruby color with strong aromas of black pepper and dried herbs on the nose, as well as some faint hints of cigar box. The wine is very light on the palate and has some nice biting acid that I find extremely enjoyable. The fruit shows through with some nice mineral notes as well as tart cranberry flavors and the slightest tobacco note on the finish.
This is one of the most unique wines that I have found on the kosher market. This is completely different than any other single varietal Cabernet Franc out there. Most Cabernet Franc wines on the kosher market come from Israel and are big, bold, spicy wines that are meant to accompany the juiciest of steaks and other richer foods. This on the other hand is a red wine, which drinks more like a traditional white wine, in that acidity and freshness are the prevailing attributes. Because of its high acid profile it requires food to follow almost immediately and pairs well with Mediterranean foods such as Moroccan Cigars or traditional Yemenite Chicken Soup.
Note: this vintage is getting to the end of its enjoyable life and if a newer vintage can be found, seek it out.
Score: A-
Value Score: B+
Soup
Soup is an extremely hard food to pair with wine. Firstly, there are soups of almost every color and flavor imaginable, and therefore there is not one uniform wine selection for the whole lot of them. However, given that many of us enjoy a hearty chicken soup at Shabbat meals, I will do my best to suggest a wine that I enjoy with soups similar in character to rich and hearty chicken soup.
Galil Mountain Viognier 2013, Yiron Vineyard $17
This wine possesses a powerful full body as well as a distinctive nose and flavor profile that works well with rich soups. Creamy apricots, peaches, floral notes and a little bit of a wet wool kind of funk dominate the nose. The mouth is rich and oily with a full-bodied flavor of ripe stone fruits and green herbs. The wine has a bit of tartness at the end, and that flavor lingers for a long time on the palate. This wine is creamy but well balanced, and can stand up to a very deep and extracted soup, while at the same time lending a bit of freshness to the palate.
Note: this vintage is also on the way out, and a new vintage should be sought for purchase.
Score: A-
Value Score: A
Main Dishes
The following wines are unique wines that can go with a wide variety of regular Shabbat fare, from chicken to beef as well as stews and other common hearty main dishes oft-served on Shabbat.
Domaine Netofa, Netofa Tinto, 2013 $23
This wine is an Israeli wine grown in the Lower Galilee region in the North of Israel blended from Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional, very common Spanish and Portuguese varietals respectively. The wine is extremely balanced and is made in the hallmark, restrained Netofa style. Ripe plums, gentle but earthy moss, and Baker’s chocolate, dominate the nose. The mouth is round and extremely deep in flavor. Nutty notes of chocolate and fresh ground coffee as well as dark plums, dried roses and cocoa powder linger long after the wine is swallowed. This is a beautiful, and extremely high quality wine that will undoubtedly improve with age.
Score: A
Value Score: A+
Ella Valley Vineyards Syrah- Petite Sirah 2012 $27
This oddball blend of grapes that sound alike but really don’t have much in common, is a fun new world creation that goes fantastically well with rich red meat stews and game meats. Syrah is a classic varietal from the south of France known for its meatiness and ripeness. Petite Sirah on the other hand, is a cross between Syrah and Peloursin, which is better known in the New World and tends to exhibit depth of fruit flavor with rich blueberry and chocolate dominating.
This wine is 75% Syrah and 25% Petite Syrah, and is loaded with green pepper, roasted meat, and ripe red and blue berries on the nose. The mouth is medium bodied with tart raspberry, and blueberry notes with a bit of a leathery note on the finish. Smooth and round this wine will go down easily with a wide range of Shabbat foods.
Score: A-
Value Score: A
Dessert
There are a limited number of quality kosher dessert wines in wide distribution, and even fewer of high quality and reasonable price. However, there is a clear king in this category and therefore this review is extremely easy.
Alfasi Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $11.99
This gold color wine is made in the traditional Sauternes style but in fact originates in Chile and is a fraction of the price of authentic Bordeaux Sauternes. This wine is a traditional blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion, which have been effected by the Botrytis fungus or the “noble rot”. Botrytis affected grapes, if grown and harvested correctly make an extremely deep and well balanced sweet wine with funky flavors that can age for a very long time. While this wine will not age the 30-50 years that many Sauternes wines do, it is still going strong and is a beautiful expression of the style in a budget package. I would also characterize this wine as a “gateway” wine, or a wine that many people will enjoy but that shows many of the characteristics of a complex and high quality wine.
The wine itself is gold, almost amber in color, with a rich nose of ripe apricots, mangos, papaya, and a slight hint of watermelon. The wine is sweet and syrupy with notes of mango and orange as well as honey, vanilla and spice on the palate. The wine has a strong acid backbone, which allows it to stand up to the sweetness and provide for an elegant and balanced tasting experience. This wine goes well with a broad range of cakes, cookies, ice creams and fruits.
Score: A
Value Score: A+
The only thing better than the price is the taste. L’chaim!
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