Perhaps you think of kosher wine spritzers as always being on the lighter end of the wine palette/palate -- an affair strictly for white wines and blushes. But I beg to differ!

In the French restaurant I waited tables in for most of my twenties, my manager, Armand, introduced me to my first kosher wine spritzer, the "Rouge Limon." (Well, his version wasn't kosher, but mine's evolved that way.) He would stand languidly at the bar, pour himself half a glass of red wine, then top it off with soda water and a twist of lime. "We call it 'rouge limon'," he said, and I knew enough of the language to see why.

Then, of course, he would go into a tirade about how the tables were set, or how the bechamel was not quite right. I'm not complaining. We knew he meant it in love. And that job was where I learned everything I know about wine. I still have the corkscrew I carried in my apron, and use it when I'm especially in need of good luck.

Then my brother married a beautiful woman from Madrid, and she introduced me to the Calimocho (also spelled Kalimotxo), a 50/50 mixture of red wine and Coca-Cola. I was initially horrified, but her tales of being a teenager in Spain charmed me into trying it, and I admit to making it my kosher wine spritzer of choice every so often. If I want a kick of caffeine, say, or this past week when Spain beat Uruguay in the World Cup match (!).

Viva Espana -- and the sparkly red glass in my hand!

As a kosher wine lover, maybe you're shied away from harder alcohol for various reasons. You weren't sure if it was kosher, for one, and for another, maybe you like your drinks a little bit on the sweet side.

(Actually, kosher wine has come so far and gotten so good, it's been a long time since the term instantly brought to mind the sweet kosher wines of yesteryear--but I digress. Sweets for the sweet, is all I mean.)

If that first paragraph tugged at some yearning deep inside you, or even just piqued your interest, let me introduce you to your new best friend. This summer, be inseparable with Me Oko Vodka in strawberry flavor.

Me Oko is serious, hand-crafted vodka, but don't let that intimidate you. Richly accented natural infusions of strawberry make this Me Oko vodka the most approachable and tasty ever. One sip will alert your palate to something ultra-refined and truly different.

Me Oko is what those of us who love big natural flavors have been hoping for, a super-refined, multi-distilled vodka with very forward flavor notes and a long finish. It's kosher, as promised, and as a bonus, gluten-free!

In the U.S. wine events are everywhere, bringing enthusiasts together to sip and sample quality vintages while enjoying each other’s company. Being that wine is an integral part of Jewish communal life, the founders of Kosher Wine Society found it odd that opportunities for members of the Jewish community to enjoy similar social, wine centered events really didn’t exist.That led to the start of KWS.
Founded in 2005, The Kosher Wine Society is a membership-based organization comprised of kosher wine enthusiasts from varying backgrounds, lifestyles and age-groups That all changed when KWS formed and they strive to create the best wine-centered social events. At KWS it’s all about tasting, comparing and discussing. 

Sake has been around for nearly 2,000 years and up until about 20 years ago, was produced solely in Japan. Nowadays, you can find in around the corner from the kosher wine at the liquor store, as sake is immensely popular. As tradition, Sake is generally served as an aperitif before a meal. When serving sake as an aperitif, it is customary to use a serving set consisting of a small pitcher, and several small cups that look like little bowls.

Another fun fact about serving sake is that it’s traditional to serve others, you never serve yourself. The server holds the pitcher with both hands while the person receiving the sake holds their cup up with one hand and supports the bottom of the cup with the other hand. In many social settings, this tradition is observed in the first round of drinks. If you are drinking your sake warm, it’s customary to serve it in a ceramic set while if you’re drinking it chilled, you should serve it in a wooden set. In addition to drinking sake the traditional way, you can use it to craft delicious cocktails. Here’s a quick recipe:

Tokyo Rose
•        1 oz. sake
•        1 oz. vodka
•        1 oz. melon liqeur
•        1 cherry

Combine ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes and mix well. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry.


For some delicious flavored sake and all things kosher wine related, visit OnlyKosherWine.com!

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a kosher wine snob, or anyone who loves a nice glass of kosher wine, you should most definitely look into getting a wine Soirée. Most wine drinkers are familiar with wine decanters. They are a way to aerate your wine before serving to bring out maximum flavor and aroma. When wine is in the bottle it is hibernating in a sense and it needs oxygen to interact with the molecules and make the notes, flavors and aromas more pronounced and easy to detect.

However, a standard decanter just doesn’t compare to the Soirée in terms of maximizing aeration and enhancing your wine’s attributes. When you use a regular decanter, you have to wait 45 minutes for the wine to really open and oxidize, not to mention they are a little difficult to pour. Thanks to the unique design of the Soirée’s aeration chamber, the wine begins oxidizing as soon as you start to pour. No waiting necessary!  And the best part is, it fits securely into the bottle so pouring is a snap.

Decanting is actually a classical term that refers to removing sediment from wine. Thanks to modern wine, the sediment get’s filtered off, so in reality, the decanter isn’t specifically for aeration purposes. However, the Soirée was crafted specifically for oxidization and aeration.

So what are you waiting for? Head to OnlyKosherWine.com, pick up a nice bottle of Cabernet and a Soirée for maximum aeration!

In the world of kosher wines and liquors, there is a lot of terminology thrown around. One of the biggest areas that often need clarification is the distinctions between single and double malt whiskeys. Well here is some information explaining the differences:


A single malt whiskey uses only one strain of malt in the fermentation process. Therefore the malt strain must have enough flavor or the whiskey doesn’t have a good of a taste. It’s difficult to make good single malt because so much is riding on that one strain. Single malts are often more expensive because they are so hard to perfect.

A double malt whiskey uses two malts and they’re blended depending on the maker’s specific recipe. There’s more leeway with creating good double malt because with two malt strains you have more freedom to manipulate the flavor.

If all this talk about single and double malt whiskey has got you craving a delicious drink, be sure to visit your favorite kosher wine and spirits retailer OnlyKosherWine.com.

 Cocktail parties are a fun way to get together with friends and neighbors without having to go through the huge production of hosting a dinner party. Dinner parties, although fun for guests, can put a huge burden on the host. You have to come up with a menu, do the shopping, set up the table with all the right tabletop plates, glasses, flatware, and other accessories, in addition to preparing the food—the most important part.

Dinner parties are truly a juggling act that take a lot of patience and skill. If you want to have guests over without the huge production, you should think about hosting a cocktail party.

Instead of preparing a huge kosher meal, all you would need are some tasty kosher appetizers, a good variety of kosher wine and of course, all the fixings to make kosher cocktails. To simplify the kosher cocktail mixing process, you should look into Stirring Simple mixers. They come in Apple Martini, Cosmopolitan, Margarita and Mojito. All you need are the kosher liquors, the proper glasses, and some ice.

If you need to stock on the jewish wines and kosher liquors and mixers, remember that onlykosherwine.com is the only choice!

White kosher wine is perfect for the warmer months of the year. Served chilled, they leave one with a happy, relaxed feeling , without the potential sleepiness of a red, and are great with light fare, or on their own.

Pinot grigio is a particular white kosher wine that deserves a spotlight. Originally a mutant form of the pinot noir grape, the pinot gris relative is grown in abundance in Italy, where it produces the popular Pinot Grigio wine that so many American consumers know and love.

A crisp, dry Jewish wine, the grapes are usually picked early before full acidity is imparted upon reaching ripeness. This wine is great to drink young, and has a clean, short finish, perfect for pairing with seafood. Be sure to avoid pairing it with acidic fruits, like oranges or tomatoes.

This wine is becoming increasingly popular and today is the most imported wine in the United States. Although some sommeliers disdain it for its lack of presence, a good pinot grigio kosher wine can be found. When judging this wine, look for a nose and robust flavors, particularly those of pear or even grapefruit. And if you’re feeling like celebrating, get some champagne, the grigio’s chic French cousin.

Among the many varietals of kosher wine, perhaps one of the most robust reds is the Syrah/Shiraz variety. Originating near the Rhone region of France, legend has it that Syrah obtained its name from the Iranian city Shirazi. Syrah is frequently blended with other bodied varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. With high tannins and deep, complex flavors, Syrah goes well with any red meat dish and is usually best when aged.

Syrah is very full bodied and can have flavors of raspberry, chocolate, espresso, pepper and blackberry. Secondary flavors are imparted from oak case aging and can mellow the primary tones if the wine is aged considerably.

The Syrah/Shiraz distinction can be confusing. Typically Shiraz is a New World wine, commonly produced in Australia. Many of these wines are more fruit-driven, have higher alcohol content, are sweeter, peppery instead of smokey and are enjoyed often when young. Syrah, from France and Old World vineyards is lighter, with less body and fruit, and has more tannins.

This kosher wine is a delicious addition to any hearty meal, or can be enjoyed hearthside. A Jewish wine that can be blended easily and enjoyed readily means accessible flavors and many sub-varieties. The Syrah is a delicious wine to fall in love with.

As far as kosher wines go, there are numerous varietals. Malbec is an increasingly popular kind of grape used to make red wine. This varietal usually has a darker color and robust tannins.

Particularly, Malbecs are popular in South America where they have come into their own.
Previously, the Malbec grape was blended with Merlot and Tannat to create dark, full bodied wines. Today this thin skinned grape produces juicy, rich and dark red wine that is perfect to pair with red meat like steak and veal. The Argentine variety grows in smaller, tighter bunches than its French relative, which suggests that the original vine clipping brought to South American in the mid 19th century was of a different kind than the dominant kind that grows in France.

If you’re looking for stunning kosher wines, you may like the Gran Malbec Flechas De Los Andes. This Malbec has a beautiful floral bouquet and hints of darker fruit like blackberries, cherry and even chocolate. The presence of the wine is abundant, and the finish is deep.

www.OnlyKosherWines.com has plenty of other Jewish wine, if you prefer something a little lighter, or if you want a good white. For kosher wines, this is the place to go.

If you’re already stocked with kosher wine, you may want to think about some other beverages. Kosher vodka is a good alternative if you’re in the mood for something a bit stronger. Vodka is a clean, neutral alcohol, usually triple distilled or more to remove impurities. It is especially before a meal to further appetite and is nice as the weather warms. Vodka is great if you want to practice mixing drinks, like martinis or vodka tonics.

Desert liquers are also a nice alternative to kosher wines. These are delicious straight after dinner, often help digestion and are good for impressing guests. A fruit flavored digestif like Limoncello is an excellent palate cleanser, is much lighter and less caloric than a glass of kosher wine, and is still kosher for Passover.

Or if you favor something a little stronger to sip on after dinner, scotch and cognac are excellent choices. Scotch is made from barley and flavored with peat moss to give it its characteristic smoky flavor. Cognac is distilled from grapes, like kosher wine, but is distilled twice in copper pots and then aged in French oak barrels.

It is nice to have a drink selection both for yourself and your guests. Discussing love and life over an after dinner drink is a pleasure and a luxury.

A lot of people enjoy the warming quality of a nice red kosher wine in the winter time. A deliciously dry Merlot or Cab goes hand-in-hand with winter and makes those brutally cold months a little more bearable. But as the ice begins to melt, and the temperature begins to rise, we seek out cooler beverages and set our sights on a nice glass (or three) of Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.

Here are three fantastic white kosher wines, perfect for spring:

This straw-colored white offers a delicate balance of dry and sweet with a long, complex finish.

This fruity white wine is dry, yet extremely smooth with notes of apple, pears, apricot, melon, and a light touch of cream.

This dry, lemony and slightly bubbly sparkling wine is the perfect beverage for a crisp, Spring day. This delicious kosher wine has undertones of citrus, melon, lemon, and honey.

It’s always nice to have variety in food and beverage, and if you’re looking for something other than kosher wine for your adult guests, you should consider making some delicious kosher cocktails with Binyamina Limoncello Liqueur. These two recipes are refreshing and perfect for spring. Everyone loves a good kosher cocktail, now you can impress your guests with these creative and delicious adult beverages.

Limoncello Limon Blush
Ingredients Per Cocktail
• 1 Ounce Limoncello
• 3 Ounces of Lemonade
• ½ Ounce of Cranberry Juice
• ½ Ounce of Soda Water
• 1 Lemon Wedge

Preparation
1) Add all ingredients, minus the soda water, to a shaker with ice.
2) Shake vigorously and pour into a tall drinking glass, leaving half and inch from the rim.
3) Top off the drink with the ½ ounce of soda water
4) Garnish with lemon wedge

Limon Bacca Baci
Ingredients Per Cocktail
• 4 Ounces of Sparking Kosher Wine
• 1 Ounce of Limoncello
• 1 Tablespoon of fresh raspberries
• Crushed ice

Preparation
1) In a mixing glass, combine sparking wine and limoncello
2) Place a spoonful of ice into a champagne flute and top with the raspberries
3) Pour the sparking limoncello mixture over the ice and serve

For great deals on Binyamina Limoncello and Sparking Kosher Wine, be sure to visit OnlyKosherWine.com

Jewish wine is not only delicious to drink, it’s a great way to spice up a recipe. If you’re looking for a new and exciting dish to have for Passover this year, try this wonderful recipe using the kosher wine, Baron Herzog Sauvignon Blanc.

Chicken and Veal Dumpling with Apple Tagine

Dumplings
6 boneless chicken thighs, approx. 1lb, ground
1 lb veal stew shoulder meat, ground
1 cup of crustless french baguette or other rustic hearth baked bread
4 oz. soy milk (full fat 4 grams or higher in fat content)
4 cloves of garlic
½ medium Spanish onion
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk


Spice seasoning
½ Tbsp. ground green peppercorns
½ Tbsp. ground coriander seed
2 teaspoons ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
Kosher salt to taste
2 Tbsp. pure olive oil or canola oil


Apple Tagine
2 Tbsp. pure olive oil or canola oil
1 cup baby cippolinni or pearl onions, peeled and whole
6 Braeburn or Granny Smith firm and tart apples (peeled, cored and cut into 1 inch cubes)
¼ cup Baron Herzog Sauvignon Blanc
3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
¼ cup honey
1 cup chicken stock
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme or sage leaves, chopped
Sea salt to taste

Dumplings
Take the crustless bread and soak it in the soy milk. Mince the onion and garlic. In a large Mixing bowl, add the ground meat, minced garlic and onion and the spice mixture.
Next, mix in the soaked bread using an electric mixer with a paddle on a medium speed. While that’s mixing add the egg and the salt. Turn the mixture up to a high speed and whip for two minutes. It should be stiff and homogenous. Take a sample and cook in a skillet, then taste for salt level. If it’s not right adjust as you see fit.
Roll the meat mixture into 1.5’’ diameter balls. Brown meat in a skillet but don’t cook all the way. Place on a plate and reserve for later with adding it to the tagine.

Tagine
In a large sauté pan with a lid, heat up oil and add onions. Sauté until brown and then add the apples. Continue to cook over a medium heat until the apple/onion mixture is caramelized. Add the kosher wine and let the alcohol dissipate for thirty seconds. Then add the honey, vinegar, chicken stock, and herbs. Let it cook uncovered, on a low heat for 5 minutes. Add the dumplings and cover the tagine. Cook for an additional 10 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with sea salt.
Makes 6 servings.

For a great price on Baron Herzog Sauvignon Blanc and other kosher wine that is great to drink and to cook with, be sure to visit OnlyKosherWine.com.

Now when you read this blog title, you might have said, duh, it has to have the hescher! Well obviously, but there’s a little more to it. Firstly, out of all of the people who handle the wine, there must be at least one Sabbath observing Jew involved in the entire winemaking process, from the planting and the growing of the grapes to the harvesting and fermentation of them. Any finings must be kosher too, which excludes any caseins like egg whites and milk, which have been used in the past sparingly to give the wine more body.

Although you may typically think of kosher wines as sweeter than most, they don’t have to be. In fact the sweetness of Manischewitz wine comes from corn syrup which, because it comes from corn, is forbidden for Passover. This is why Passover Manischewitz is different – it is produced with cane sugar.

So I bet that after this little Kosher wine tutorial, you’re about ready for a glass. Well whether you choose Manischewitz wine, Kedem wine, or any other kosher wines, buy it from onlykosherwine.com. They have all the best kosher wines at the lowest prices. And if you’re feeling like something a bit stronger, they have that too.

There are many different kinds of Kosher Wines that you can enjoy. Whether you like red wine or white wine, sweet wine or bubbly wine, you are sure to find a Kosher Wine that you can kick back and enjoy, either alone, as a couple, or with a group of friends. Some of the main kinds of kosher wines are Manischewitz wine and Kedem wine. If you want a good dessert wine to kick back with and enjoy then Kedem wine is a good option.

There are different kinds of Kedem wines that are good for desserts, some are quite sweet and some only moderately so; they can be sparkling pink, bubbly amber, low in alcohol content or a bit higher on the alcohol content scale. You can also get Kedem Sherry, Champagne, or Vermouth. Manischewitz wines are also quite good as dessert wines. Many types of Manischewitz wines are quite sweet and fruity.

There are concord grape wines, blackberry wines, and wines whose taste will remind you of a luscious cherry pie - which by the way is the most popular flavor! You can get either white or red Manischewitz wines and besides their sweet wines, they have some dry wines too.

Manischewitz wines are a good choice if you are looking for a good Jewish wine to use for the Passover. All you have to do is visit us at www.OnlyKosherWine.com and... Le’chaim!

You like good wine, and you like good food — but how do you put the two together? You could spend years studying the fine art of wine pairing, but if you're just looking to plan a couple of meals to serve with your Jewish wine, check out these simple ideas:

For starters, wines in the Chablis family will pair marvelously with any kind of white fish. You could serve a Chablis Kedem wine, for example, with a plate of naked or broiled halibut and sauteed vegetables. This wine will also work well with poultry, particularly chicken.

Alternatively, you can create a sweeter pairing using a bottle of Teperberg Late Harvest Riesling, another delicious white. Rieslings in general work well with desert food, but this particular vintage is known for its moderate finish of honey and vanilla—flavors you could easily echo in a dessert plate.

Sound a little too sweet? For hearty meals like beef courses, most experts recommend a red wine such as a Burgundy Royale Kedem wine.

You may have noticed that white Kosher wines tend to work better with lighter foods, while reds are ideal for red meat. But don't let that trip you up too much — more than anything, pairing is all about discovering what you like.