Kosher Kings. Are Kosher Wines the Steals of this Era?

Kosher Kings. Are Kosher Wines the Steals of this Era? – Episode #297

August 21, 2007

Kosher wines have a cloud over their heads and to be honest they have deserved it up to about 3-4 years ago. Gary Vaynerchuk tastes what should be 3 serious Kosher wines!

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Comments on this episode(213) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD: I’ve never had kosher wine….” by ulu ulu ulu ulu
“QOTD: I’ve never had any kosher wine. I don’t care about “kosherness”…” by Phredd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2002 Pardess Reserve MerlotIsraeli Kosher Wine
2003 Hevron Heights Syrah ReserveIsraeli Kosher Wine
2005 Covenant Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (kosher)Other California Kosher

213 Responses

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August 21, 2007

mbannon
I’ve only had one kosher wine, an Israeli cab that was pretty darn tasty.

What’s up with that last wine?? Would love to read Parker’s tasting note.
August 21, 2007

chenin
Great episode, and nice to see you in shock for the very first time.
Wine is all about emotions. It has happened to me, too.

I never had a kosher wine, and I honestly think it is irrelevant except
for religious reasons. If you look at the rules how kosher wines have got
to be made, it’s really nothing special.
Bio-dynamic farming methods are much more far out in this regard.

So in the end I think it’s a marketing thing and nothing worth looking into.
August 21, 2007

Michael S.
Gary, glad to see you are looking at kosher wines. I think a focus on Israeli wines would be more interesting. I’m kosher, but the regional differentiation would be more relavent than the religious one. Castel Grand Vin ($50), Golan Heights Winery Yarden Cabernet 2003 ($25) and GHW Yarden Katzrin Red ($100) are all much better than what you just tasted, at three different price points. Yatir Forest ($50), Galil Mountain Cabernet ($14) . . . Great wines from Israel that have a regional distinction as great new world wines in a distinct climate.

Thanks for the focus though
August 21, 2007

GrapeStuff
Looks like those 3 wines are a major pazzzzzzzzzz for me.

QOTD: Only manischewitz.
August 21, 2007

Karl Laczko
I’ve had some good Israeli juice before (Gamla Cab-Sauv from the Golan is nice), but no idea if it was Kosher – I doubt it.

Definately not a newbie, NTTAWWT.
August 21, 2007

Neil
qotd: Never had a kosher wine but I do like Kosher Dill Pickles. I think I’ll stick with the pickles.
August 21, 2007

Arthur
70 clams for that wine? Fe!

Could this be the not-so-uncommon phenomenon where Parker points are magically converted into increasing price points?….
August 21, 2007

BenS
To Mr. Cabernet:
My recommendation would be the 2004 Baron Herzog Zinfandel from Lodi. It’s about $11 but out of this world. It’s not as full-bodied as other Zinfandels from Lodi that cost more (Seven Deadly Zins, Truckee River) but compares very favorably.

QOTD
As for the question of the day: I’ve had lots of kosher wines that cost above $25 (I used to keep kosher). But one of my favorite kosher wines, at least in terms of bang for the buck, is the Galil Mountain Yiron, available for around $20 – a true steal.
August 21, 2007

wetdogsmell
last comment
August 21, 2007

BK
maybe not, my preconceived notions may be correct. Shalom.
August 21, 2007

BK
GV, great ep. Will have to drop my preconceived notions about the Kosher wines. Never a bad opportunity to expand the palate.
August 21, 2007

nyc621
that was a sad episode. i was really pulling for the kosher wines. gv, what makes a wine kosher by the way?

qotd: I’ve never had a kosher wine and don’t plan to now.
August 21, 2007

drew
Am I the only one that finds it a tad ironic that the term kosher is a derivative of the Hebrew term kasher which means â€œproperâ€ and â€œpureâ€? Iâ€™ve had two kosher wines in my life and neither were an experience I ever want to relive.

And BIG UPS to GV for calling out the 69 point bottle. Not all bottles of wine are worthy of scores in the 80â€™s. Bravo GV.

QOTD â€“ Anything is possible, but no, not yet.
August 21, 2007

Chad
QOTD: Not sure if I’ve ever had a kosher wine at all …

As for that last wine, feed it to the Thundercats.
August 21, 2007

Sonnenuhr
RP scores the wine 92 and GV scores it 69. Gary is a Mensch, we all know that. Parker, well, he’s a Nebish.

L’Chaim!
August 21, 2007

Sonnenuhr
RP scores the wine 92 and GV scores it 69. Gary is a Mensch, we all know that. Parker, well, he’s a Nebish.

L’Chaim!
August 21, 2007

Sonnenuhr
RP scores the wine 92 and GV scores it 69. Gary us a Mensch, we all know that. Parker, well, he’s a Nebish.

L’Chaim!
August 21, 2007

Toke-Dawg
Mr. Cabernet, try the Galil Mountain Cab, priced at 13.49 on kosherwine.com or the Recanati Cab, also around 12-13 bones. You can try posting on Daniel Rogov’s forum at http://stratsplace.zeroforum.com/zeroforum?id=1.
August 21, 2007

Alex Diaz
The last one i tried tasted like juice and not wine… i must say i hope this changes my view…
August 21, 2007

Rob B.
Nice show!!! Overrated — I missed what you said, were you talking about Chad again?
August 21, 2007

garyv
Grasshopper because the noise was an issue but other parts were super super solid and I dont hate those wacky smells!
August 21, 2007

Grasshopper
Sensei,

How does a wine that smells like garbage and vomit rate 89 points no matter how good it might taste? I understand terrior and earthy, smelly socks and even worm heads….. but garbage and your date is puking? Not sure how that gets 89 points?

QOTD – no and after this episode, I do not think i will rush out to find one.

Grasshopper
August 21, 2007

Mr. Cabernet
By coincidence I’ve been appointed the seeker of kosher wine for an upcoming Bar Mitvah. I’m looking for wine no more expensive than $15 with any tax or shipping included. So far I have found the white–2005 Hagafen Sauvignon Blanc. But I now need a red in approx 50% of the amount of white. Same price range. The $29 and up you featured today are too much for this purpose.
August 21, 2007

Dusty
crazy finish to the show. clearly must be something different to keep ya that confused. QOTD: never had a kosher wine. might have to try it out, although my wine store has a very very limited kosher section.
August 21, 2007

Robert F
Not sure what to think about kosher wines still. I probably wouldn’t even know if a wine was kosher since there’s no kosher wine section at my wine shop.

QOTD: Never had any kosher wine as far as I know.