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 22, 2007

JennyO
QOTD: Nope – never had a Kosher wine at all.
Glad you’re back
August 22, 2007

Rich
Okay, guilty as charged!…I am a NEWBIE and have been “lurking” for about three weeks. Just a little shy and only recently into wines. I have to say, today’s show is not compelling me to go looking for the kosher wines you tried! And I usually go running to my wine guy to find at least one of the bottles. How about another round of Kosher tasting with something to try out at home!?!?!
Cheers to the Nation!!
August 22, 2007

Blondie
Sorry about the misspelling of Manischewitz!
August 22, 2007

Blondie
Gary, Perhaps you should check your stock of the Covenant to see if it was a bad bottle. Wow! What a reaction!!

QOTD – Like many people, my only relationship with Kosher wine was when I joined my best friends family for Passover in North Caldwell, NJ (I was 12 years old) and my girl friends Dad gave me a small glass of Manashewitz Concord Grape (I think) My palate has improved since then and she remains one of my best girl friends. Though I must say she and I never drank so much in NYC that we had to vomit in an alley.

Why don’t you do a show on your top 4 or 5 favorite wines? Like to know what blows your hair back when you’re not on the air!
August 22, 2007

Carlitos
BTW. http://www.cellercapcanes.com/english.htm
August 22, 2007

Carlitos
Hey Gary!

Sorry to hear that the wines were not that great and you couldn’t prove your point. I’m sure there are better ones out there. I’m actually not sure what the whole process for kosher wine is. So I don’t know how they are really different, other than a blessing (no influence in the taste?).

Did you know that CapÃ§anes in Montsant, Spain (read Capsanes), makers of the Mas DonÃs, makes a kosher wine. In fact that coop was largely producing bulk wines until the jewish community in nearby Barcelona asked them to produce a kosher wine. That let them to pursue higher quality throughout the range to where they are today. Anyway, their kosher wine is called Flor de Primavera or Peraj Ha’abib (Spring Flower). I haven’t tried it but it should be good. I loved the Mas DonÃs for what it was. This one is in the $30 price range.

QOTD. I haven’t knowingly had a kosher wine. But maybe I’ll try this shortly.

Anyway, cheers!
August 22, 2007

Kara
QOTD: had a sip of Kosher at a wedding once. hated it. but what did i know?

MaryS: I agree – I’d love to see a show on Jersey wine! I’m from the state and had no idea there were vineyards… i know you can find wine anywhere, but i’ve never come across a Jersey wine – that’d be a sweet show!
August 22, 2007

Palmer
Anybody remember the episode of “Frasier” where he and Niles have to pretend they’re Jewish because Frasier is dating a Jewish girl? The girl’s mother comes over to the apartment and asks for a glass of Manischewitz, so Frasier takes a glass of cabernet and adds sugar. He then gives the glass to Niles to taste and Niles spits it out and says “It’s DREADFUL!” whereby Frasier says something to the effect of “then it’s perfect.”

That has been my impression of kosher wine until now, and I don’t think I have ever had any. But now I know that if I’m ever invited to a seder, there are decent bottles of wine out there that I can bring along.
August 22, 2007

AnavimG
QOTD – yes, many & some that are DAMN GOOD. Others, such as the oft mentioned Baron Herzog (OK, this one is
August 22, 2007

AnavimG
(cont.)
QOTD – yes, many & some that are DAMN GOOD. Others, such as the oft mentioned Baron Herzog (OK, this one is
August 22, 2007

AnavimG
Hey Gary-

Newbie here. Watched several episodes but this is the first time I have felt compelled to post.

However, I just want to reiterate what has already been said by others. Hebron Heights winery is NOT located in one the better Israeli wine-producing regions & consequently does not produce great wines. They DO however do a great job of marketing (nice bottles & labels – what is inside, not so much). Also, their importer is known for pricing wines higher than the typical markup.

Gary – I am a NYC resident in Israel right now preparing to do some business with many of the small boutique wineries others have mentioned here. Drop me a dime (OK, email) and if you do have a sincere interest I’d be thrilled to discuss Israeli wines (kosher & non-certified) further.

QOTD – yes, many & some that are DAMN GOOD. Others, such as the oft mentioned Baron Herzog (OK, this one is
August 22, 2007

MaryS
Never had a kosher wine, and after this show I have no plans to try one. How about doing a show on NJ wines?
August 22, 2007

Robin C.
QOTD: the last time I had a kosher wine was during my first marriage, and I’m sure it was not over $20.00 because I think I picked some of them out and there were no kosher wines at that price range. I don’t think that anybody really drank them – they were just for the ceremony. Passover gatherings were a lot of fun and I sure miss them. Russian Cream with strawberries was very popular at that time. I still have the recipe.
August 22, 2007

MtnCharlie
Great episode.
QOTD: Have had kosher wine, but I cannot remember the price. After doing a little online research I am guessing retail for
August 22, 2007

Jeff
QOTD: Don’t know that I’ve ever had a Kosher wine at any pricepoint. Oh well.
August 22, 2007

Courtney Cochran
Thanks, Gary. I was literally queing up my browser this morning to search for more info on Israeli and kosher wines for an upcoming tasting I’ll be hosting and – whaddya know – found your episode. How’s that for a coincidence? Thanks for a great show.
August 22, 2007

Screwtop
Newbie. Keep coming back for the energy. I have a couple friends who might like a finer kosher wine as a gift, so I appreciate the scoop.
August 22, 2007

mcj
QOTD: Never had any kosher wine
August 22, 2007

winecollector57
OK..I’m convinced, I’m not gonna buy ANY kosher wines yet…Thanks for great show as always. Is it possible the last bottle is was in a closed phase? Bottle shock?…
QOTD- No, and thanks to you no plans to try one anytime soon.
August 22, 2007

stewart l
I have tasted sev kosher wines before, but not above $20. After today’s episode, I’m in no hurry to go find one either.
August 22, 2007

Chris Kov
It makes me smile when you are confused about a bottle of wine. I am not the only one that gets confused by a wine. My confusion is on a much smaller scale, but none the less it still makes me smile.

I love the fact that we are changing the wine world. Spreading the thunder across the “V” nation and then across the World!
August 22, 2007

Richard Shaffer
Great show! 2 wines from Hevron Heights, though?! For good quality and great value kosher wines check out pretty much anything from the Golan Heights Winery (Yarden, Galil Mountain). Golan Heights Winery really started the quality revolution in Israel in the 1980s. I can’t wait to see the non-kosher Israeli wine show, Gary! Most of those wines have not yet been formally introduced to Americans – some great stuff in that space! And it would be great to see more retailers create an “Israeli” wine section!

Richard
August 22, 2007

Viking
another n00b *since friday actually *

great show Gary

slightly insane and honest…gotta love the combo
August 22, 2007

ev
Yo, Indy, I just bought a box here in Seattle. Very good stuff,Massena. Have you had Godolphin? For about the same $, we loved it even more. Where did you buy it in Indiana? I’m from E’ville, and spent much time in B’ton and Indy. Eric
August 22, 2007

indiana
Lurker…. Good show gary, although i’m not quite sure what constitutes a kosher wine, and it would have been interesting to take a lesson. Im not interested in buying a kosher wine, and unless yer jewish, why would you? the wines are 25,20, and 70$! bones and not that great. And for the question of the day, no i have not had one, so i cant really say, but this episode does not make me want to change my mind. Just bought some Messena 2005 11th. hour. oh yea. good juice.
indiana