Kosher Wine PairingMeatloaf, Tuna Casserole and Kosher Wines |
There are great Kosher wine and food pairings. We have excellent recommendations of wines that are produced by some very prominent wineries and are food friendly.
What Style is Kosher Wine?
Most people believe Kosher wine is a style of wine that are sweet and not very good tasting. This is not true. Kosher wine is wine that is made according to religious dietary laws. Kosher wine is not a variety, or a style of wine-making. Being a Kosher wine does not affect the taste of wine.
Mevushal or Non-Mevushal
Modern technology has changed the wine-making process which is evident in the high quality wines produced today in all regions including the making of kosher wine.
In earlier wine-making years, kosher wine was made using two methods – mevushal ("cooked") and non-mevushal. The mevushal method boiled the wine, which actually sterilized the wine, and made it less palatable than regular wine. By making wine mevushal it can be handled by anyone, making it "user-friendly." It can be shared by observing and non-observing Jews or non-Jews.
In the New World today it is recommended that Mevushal wines be served at catered Kosher events such as weddings or bar mitzvahs where it is not certain who will be pouring the wine.
Non-Mevushal wine could be drunk and served only by Sabbath-observing Jews. It could not be touched by a non-observant Jew. Actually, once the bottle is opened and it is touched by a non-Jew or even a non-observant Jew, the wine becomes non-kosher.
Modern Technology
Today, rather than using the traditional mevushal method of boiling the wine, the unfermented grape juice or "must" is “flash pasteurized” then cooled quickly. This flash pasteurized technique is the modern method of sterilizing the wine.
Flash pasteurization is also kinder to the grapes than boiling them. It preserves the wine’s aroma and flavors. This modern technology has taken the level of Kosher wine to the highest quality. Today kosher wine can be enjoyed in several different styles of wine and can be paired with everyone’s favorite traditional dishes.
Kosher Wine Pairing and Comfort Food
Comfort food is what everyone is enjoying these days. We have paired a few popular comfort foods with our favorite wine selections.
Spaghetti with tomato sauce - This is most everyone's favorite comfort food. Pair this tomato sauce based meal with a fruity Zinfandel. If your sauce is peppery (or spicy) try a fuller style Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Baron Herzog Red Zinfandel 2005
- Teal Lake Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Meatloaf is hearty winter comfort food staple with a base of ground beef mixed with ketchup. Try a Merlot.
- Altoona Hills Merlot 2005
Tuna Casserole is a favorite and easy dish that has many different ingredients and flavors. Onions and garlic or peppers and carrots may grace your dish. There is the creamy sauce, noodles and crunchy topping. Chardonnay is going to be a nice pairing.
- Hagafen Chardonnay 2006
Hot Dogs, what can be more comforting than a grilled Kosher hot dog. Serve it with chili, or maybe some shredded cheese and onions. Try a Rosé or a Pinot Noir, or if you want a white wine go with a Pinot Grigio.
- Hagafen Pinot Noir 2005
- Bartenura Pinot Grigio Rose 2005
Buffalo chicken wraps are all the rage. These are easy to prepare and fun to eat. Pair this with a Zinfandel.
- Ravenswood Zinfandel
Dairy Are you having a dairy meal? Brie and strawberries are a wonderful pair. Pair this with a sparkling wine.
- Nando Fragolino Sparkling Wine
La'Chaim!
