Bring a Taste of Israel to Your Seder
- adam029
- Mar 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 21
By Channa Fischer
In the year and a half since Israel was attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the Jewish community worldwide has sought ways to show their support for Israel. One way we can do this is to purchase and consume more Israeli wines. We not only bolster the Israeli economy this way, but we also show our appreciation for the Israeli winemakers who face difficult challenges every day, yet continue to provide the kosher wine market with an amazing selection.
As we did in our previous issue of the annual Wine Guide, we encourage our readers to seek out Israeli wines for the Passover Seder and beyond. If you are unsure which wines to purchase, use this list to guide you and add a touch of solidarity with Israel to your holiday tables.
If you like sweet bubblies, like Bartenura Moscato or Harmino … try Dalton Canaan Moscato or Yarden Hermon Moscato.
While moscato is typically Italianbred, its Israeli counterparts are just as effervescent and delicious. The Yarden Hermon Moscato uses muscat canelli grapes grown in the Golan Heights to make an aromatic and refreshing bubbly, similar to the familiar popular blue bottle from Bartenura. Dalton’s Canaan Moscato is also a hit for those who like sweet and light wines; and with Dalton receiving 13 total spots in The Jewish Link Wine Guide’s Top 10 recommendations, this Israeli Moscato is sure to impress.
If you like crisp rosé, like the Festa D’Estate Rosé or Baron Herzog White Zinfandel … try Tishbi Bloom or Binyamina Moshava Grenache Rosé.
The Tishbi Bloom dry rosé made No. 2 on the Wine Guide’s list of rosés this year—and for good reason. Produced in the Lower Galilee, Tishbi Bloom captures the freshness of Israel in the springtime using a delicious blend of muscat of Alexandria and cabernet sauvignon grapes, also the source of its bright pink color. The Binyamina Moshave Grenacha Rosé is a slightly sweeter option at a lower price point, and is just as gorgeous an addition to your holiday table.
If you like semi-sweet reds, like Baron Herzog Jeunesse … try Mony M Wave.
Mony is a boutique winery near Beit Shemesh in the high part of the Samson region, and has claimed two other top spots in this year’s Wine Guide. Its M Wave Cabernet Sauvignon is a smooth, sweet and well-balanced red wine that will be sure to please.
If you like fruity and crisp dry or semi-dry whites, like a chenin blanc or riesling … try the Odem
Mountain Volcanic Riesling or Dalton Canaan White.
Odem Mountain, located in northern Golan Heights, secured not only a top spot in the Wine Guide’s Whites Over 30 list, but also is featured at No. 2 in our Top Riesling selection with its unique and exquisite Volcanic Riesling. Because of the Golan Heights’ cold temperatures, this Riesling fermented into a delicate and aromatic wine with notes of jasmine flowers and lime. For a more affordable option, we recommend Dalton’s Canaan White, which blends sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and white riesling for a bright and well-balanced wine.
If you like rich and buttery whites, like a chardonnay … try the Gush Etzion Blessed Valley Chardonnay or Binyamina Reserve Chardonnay.
The Binyamina Reserve Chardonnay is a textbook oaked chardonnay, aged in French oak barrels for nine months at the Binyamina winery in the Lower Galilee, for a smooth flavor with floral and vanilla notes. If you’re looking to take your chardonnay up a notch at your holiday table, the Gush Etzion Blessed Valley Chardonnay took the No. 9 spot in the Wine Guide’s Whites Over 30 list in addition to being number three overall in this year’s chardonnay picks. Gush Etzion Blessed Valley uses a 1:2 ratio of chardonnay and viognier grapes, which are matured in French oak barrels for 10 months, making for a rich, fruity and complex wine with a beautiful buttery finish.
If you like full-bodied dry reds, like a Bordeaux, merlot or syrah … try Hayotzer Genesis Shiraz, Lueria Terrace or Shiloh Mosaic.
There’s a reason why Mosaic is considered Shiloh Winery’s “flagship” wine: Its unique blend of merlot, petit verdot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon creates an intense combination of berry, coffee and chocolate flavors in a full-bodied and tannic wine. Mosaic holds a well-earned spot on the Wine Guide’s Top Red Wines Over 50 list and is sure to impress. Another complex and rich Israeli wine we love is Lueria Terrace, made of cabernet, shiraz and cabernet franc grapes which are fermented separately before being blended together and aged in French oak barrels for a year. Terrace is fruity with a long, pleasant finish, bringing sophistication at a moderate price point and holding the No. 12 spot in our Top Red Wines 25-50 list. And for those who want complexity and smoothness with an even lower price, the Hayotzer Genesis Shiraz is a rich red with plum notes, ranking in our Top Red Wines Under 25 list.
If you like to keep it interesting, and you want something out-of-the-box … try Jezreel Argaman.
This wine is something you won’t find anywhere else. It is made with a unique varietal and cultivated for an unmatched flavor profile. Jezreel Winery uses an Israeli varietal, argaman, for a delicious, high-quality tribute to a native wine with a robust flavor profile that dances on the taste buds. This wine made the Jewish Link Wine Guide’s Top Unique Varietals list, and is the perfect way to celebrate our one-of-a-kind homeland.
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