Al:
That’s interesting…I can respect that. It does bring me to another question though. Does this mean that a waiter can serve wine if he opens it right in front of the patron and leaves the open bottle on the table remaining in view of the religiously observant patron? Can he later return to the table so as to refill the glasses?

Lifestooshort: You make a good point, I must reconsider my own argument.

QOTD: NOOOO I’ve never had a Kosher wine… that’s one more to add to the “yet to be tasted” list.

QOTD- Never had any Kosher wine.

“Tha GV”

COK

Great show. Tasted the Hebron Heights Pardess last week so I know what you’re talking about. Also had the HH’s Isaac’s Ram. Similarly disappointing. Both of these wines, as well as the Syrah are not among HH’s best offerings, which imo are quite good.

If you can, check out the 2002 HH’s Armigeddon. Heavy on the oak, but boy what a wine! Their Makhpelah is also outstanding.

Other Israeli kosher wines that rock: Castel Grand Vin 2003. Yatir Forest 2003. Yarden Brut, non-vintage. Binyamina 2003 Sirah Chosen Series “Ruby.” A knockout! The Cave 2003.

Benhaim 2003 Cab Sav. Reserve.

Hey Gary! So I’m a newbie and I’ve been watching a marathon of your shows today. Was finally convinced to say hello! Glad you did one on the kosher wines. Manechevitz makes me want to hurl, but I can never find anything kosher that’s reallly happenin’. Even tried the new zealand goose bay sauv blanc because i love the tropical notes of those marlborough sauv blancs, but was dissappointed in its lack of tropical and citrus.

will you do another kosher wine show? one i tasted and liked was the special reserve “Z” Zinfandel from baron herzog.

I tasted the Teperberg Meritage 2006 yesterday and thought it was super yummy.

Hey Gary and Vayniacs,
The political considerations in the comments here was fascinating. i lived in Israel for several years, and currently work the wine director of a kosher restaurant, so have been in many of these debates before. Without going into it too much, I try to support the israeli wine industry, but avoid wines from the West Bank and especially Hevron, which is one of the more right-wing and controversial settlements. There are lots of great Israeli wines from the Galille region or the north, such as many mentioned below – Teperberg, Tisbhi, Galil, Dalton, etc. They tend to go very new world in style, with the exception of Castel, which produces great Bordeaux style wines.
One producer that often gets overlooked is Ernie Weir of Hagafen. His Syra, Cab and Prix Meritage are outstanding, and good values even with the kosher markup. Very worth trying

Tough episode, Gary. Sorry that none of the wines were really bringing the thunder, esp. the last wine. Your poor face!! QOTD: Never had a single Kosher wine yet, but Im sure to try one down the line.

Being Jewish I grew up around Kosher wines, and there are plenty of them that all tasted the same to me growing up in the ’80s. Very boring stuff and all the same. Finding a good Kosher wine in the 80s to me was not easy at all, of course I wasn’t looking as I was a little kid, but I have always remembered the taste of those wines.

I have not bought any Kosher wines myself until today, so I’m very curious how they will taste.

What I bought:

2004 Chateau Leoville Poyferre Saint Julien
2003 Yarden Syrah

Interesting show on kosher wine. Is there a possibility of trying out altar wines?

QOTD: I’ve never had any kosher wine. I don’t care about “kosherness”, so I’ve never sought one out. I still won’t, although if a good one comes my way, I’m game.

QOTD: I’ve never had kosher wine.

qotd: never had one at all. No problem w them, just don't think I've had 1