Keeping kosher does not exclude anyone from experiencing a variety of good wines because Jewish wine from all over the world is now available at the click of a mouse. Even though the ingredients must be kosher, and certain substances are forbidden during the clarification process, if wine is Mevushal, or pasteurized, Gentiles can now prepare the grapes. This has increased the number of locations that can produce kosher wine. Anyone can experiment with wines and spirits imported from Israel, South Africa, Spain, Germany, Italy, and about 30 other countries.

Manischewitz wine and kedem wine are the two most popular kosher choices in the United States, with Manischewitz being the largest seller. Both brands are produced at New York state wineries. Now wine connoisseurs are no longer limited to vines from a singular region. While drinking wine is enjoyable, one can also used imported kosher wines in recipes, and not just for Passover. Favorites such as poached pears, sauces, or chicken cacciatore are easy to make and have made a good first impression on past guests.

Kosher wine is at least 2,000 years old and there is still a hearty market demand for various kosher wines. Approximately 21 percent of American Jews keep kosher and most of them are Reform Jews and of younger generations. The increase in the number of sophisticated wines being imported from around the world comes just in time for many of us as we seek the path to tradition with more freedom of personal choice.