Single and Double Malt: What’s the Difference?

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.

Stirrings Mixers Make Kosher Cocktails Simple

 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!

Pinot Grigio Is Great

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.

Hoorah for Syrah


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.

Malbecs are a Must Have

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.

Alternatives to Kosher Wines


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.

Kosher Wines on Sale for Passover

Passover is coming up quickly and if you want to catch some great deals on kosher wine, be sure to check out www.OnlyKosherwine.com for the Passover Sale. Whether you are a Pinot Grigio glutton, a Merlot maniac or crazy for Cabernet, the Passover Sale has some incredible deals on just about every type of kosher wine out there. Here is a sample of a few of the best deals.



Teperberg Meritage Red(Israel) $18.99
This dry blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc is a lovely deep ruby color and full-bodied. It has notes of soft tannins, plum, currant, and berries.

Barentura Moscato (Italy) $9.99
Sweet, crisp and perfect for spring, this white muscat has delicious undertones of pear, tangerine, and nectar.

Baron Herzog Jeunesse Reserve Pinot Noir (California) $14.99
This Jeunesse Pinot Noir has an extremely smooth and velvety texture. There’s a delicate balance of tannins and fruit, with notes of ripe cherry, spice, and perfume, and has a long finish.

Hamasrek Chardonnay (Israel) $12.99
This crisp Chardonnay has a warm golden hue with crisp pineapple, lemon, and pear notes.

Galil Shiraz/ Cabernet (Israel) $15.99
This fine Shiraz underwent nearly two weeks of fermentation and 10 months of aging in American oak barrels. It has notes of blueberry and raspberry, with spicy undertones of cloves and nutmeg. It’s medium-bodied with a long finish.