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!

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version.

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
View all 213 ›

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

Pages: « 9 [8] 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 » Show All

August 23, 2007

MetalDave
QOTD: No.

Just as South African products were boycotted during Apartheid, so should all Israeli products. No one should ever buy Israeli wine. If you want Kosher wine, get it from somewhere else. “Israel’s” best wines come from Syria anyway. In fact, one Scandanavian country has now required that all wines produced in the Golan Heights be labeled as “Wine from Israeli-Occupied Syrian Territory.”
August 23, 2007

crazy olive
new viewer…love the show…live in napa
August 23, 2007

SoCal
QOTD: sorry bro…I have not….but maybe someday
August 23, 2007

Jayhitek
QOTD: Nope.
August 23, 2007

amechad
Sorry, meant to add that Israel’s Recanati, Katlov’s Cab, Teperberg(formerely Efrat), especially the higher end (I just discovered the Teperberg Meritage blend for about $13 and it is truly truly excellent) are truly excellent wines.

Unfortunately many of the Israeli wines, especially the boutiques are still not available or only available in small numbers in the US but Castel, Golan, Terperberg, etc. are available in the US.

But Gary — what’s with your idea that kosher wines only got good in the past 36 months? Where have you been — Golan has been operating since ‘82, and many of the Israeli boutiques started in the late 90s or 2000-2002 (at least 5 years ago) and of course larger wines like Herzog, etc. have been doing well for quite some time and even Carmel has been improving for several years (although I still prefer Golan over Carmel).
August 23, 2007

amechad
Well, I live in Israel and keep kosher so I tend to drink kosher wines. These were some very odd choices Gary made — 2 from Hevron Heights (which, as noted above, Rogov does not rate well and is not something I drink, although some are supposed to be decent). But kosher wine isn’t Manishevitz and needs to stop being thought of that.

My recommendations are Domaine du Castel (Israeli, one of Israel’s best wineries — The Castel Grand Vin (about $50) is absolutely amazing to me — the best wine I have ever had and their second label Petit Castel (about $25-$30) isn’t far behind). Golan Heights Winery (Yarden, Gamla, Golan) makes excellent wines (a mix of high quality Yarden’s to $6 Golan’s which are still very good for an everyday wine and what I tend to drink weekly).
Israel’s Recanati, Katlov,

And of course there are now plenty of quality non-kosher Israeli wines too. The production isn’t different in terms of the wine making process (it’s simply that only observant Jews can touch it and no non-kosher [think animal remnants or dairy products] fining agents can be used)). Castel didn’t change when it went kosher in 2003, and is a top producer.

I haven’t had it but California’s HaGafen is supposed to be truly excellent, as are California’s Herzog. Italy’s Bartenura is pretty good. France’s Fortant isn’t bad either.

There is simply no reason to avoid a wine just because it’s kosher. Particularly the wines not targeted at very religious people (like Hevron Heights is) are better – and no less kosher – for market reasons (trying to appeal to a more sophisticated palate).
August 23, 2007

TommyTom
Why did the Napa Cab get 69 points? A 70$ bottle tasting worse than a 10$ bottle deserves a far worse score.
August 23, 2007

vibemore
qotd: no
August 23, 2007

TagWorld Brian
QOTD: I think the Baron Herzon Jeunesse, which I tried at your recommendation. Was that above $20? ‘Can’t recall. Anyhoo, I enjoyed it. It was syrupy and cloying – don’t think I’d buy it twice, but it was a fun experiment for passover. Yeah, I’m Jewish, and that’s how we roll, Vayniac-style! Hava Nagila, y’all.
August 23, 2007

BobMac
Never had a kosher wine….above $25 or below.
August 22, 2007

Matt the Lurker
QOTD – no. pazzzz.
August 22, 2007

Bruce S
newbie
August 22, 2007

BillyA
Mr. Cabernet, you may want to try Segals’ 2002 Special Reserve Merlot. It’s hit or miss with Kosher wines, but I really enjoyed it and you can pick one up for $11-$15. Don’t know how the ‘03 tastes.
August 22, 2007

macca
QOTD – No, never tried a kosher wine at all. And I think it’d be safe to say I’ll never spend any of my own money to try one. They simply do not interest me whatsoever.
August 22, 2007

Pastore
QOTD: I grew up where everyone was Italian, so no, no kosher wines there. 8 days to go…
August 22, 2007

rascoagogo
Thanks for doing this show. I’m looking forward to the one on non-Kosher Israeli wines. NPR did a piece on the excellent prospects to come a few years back, and I’d love to get an idea of where to start.
August 22, 2007

Rick "the model" M
In 8 more days, something crazy better be happening
August 22, 2007

Bernard
Also agree with rich saffer, about Golan winery. forgot about them. Fyi, Rashi is revered as a talmudic scholar, but his day job was vintner.
August 22, 2007

Bernard
Sure: Hagafen cellars of california (Napa southern end) makes a high quality line. Try them. Also, try Weinstock cellar select (Cal) cab,about $16, very classy and worth more. Italian: Rashi Barbera d’Alba, a slightly ripasso edge.
Been drinking lots of kosher from doing temple wine sales for passover.Told GV about the Weinstock months ago… one of my favorites and high qpr.
August 22, 2007

rob in indy
good show.. I think I will pass on the kosher wines for now.. can’t wait to find out what gary has planned for the 300th show..
August 22, 2007

Vinsant
Kosher wine over $20 bucks, hell (I mean heck) no!
August 22, 2007

Grasshopper
Big Shout Out to Chakira who gives a very good description and history lesson on what makes a Kosher wine and why.

I read several comments from folks who do not understand what makes a wine Kosher (i sure didn’t) and think everyone can learn something from Chakira’s post.

Since the posts are not numbered, I can not tell you how to find it other than it was posted 16 hours ago.

Grasshopper
August 22, 2007

Daniel O
QOTD: Not to my knowledge. There’s a Kosher Wine section at the LCBO here in Ontario, but I’ve never picked up anything from there. And after this episode, I’m definitely not going out of my way to find or try any.
August 22, 2007

Kirk
Gary,

I had to come out of “lurker status” for this episode…what a great string of shows. I’ve come across something recently and I thought it might be an interesting take on a show. I’ve seen people drinking wine from straws this summer (Gasp! How could they?!?) However, there was a viable situation i promise you…this person did not have the use of their arms. I was wondering what if any difference it would have on the flavor profile…and thought you might want to try another take on how to enjoy wine. As for the QOTD: No…I have not tried any wines over $25 that were Kosher to my knowledge. Cheers,
August 22, 2007

Kara E.
Wait!!! Manischewitz doesn’t cost 20$!!! My uncle has been ripping me off every passover!
Love the show!