Passover (April 16th, 2003), known as the Jewish ‘Festival of Liberation’, ‘The Spring Festival’ and ‘The Festival of Matzah’ begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 and lasts for eight days and eight nights. Passover has both historical and agricultural significance within the Jewish community, but the primary observance of Passover is related to the Exodus from Egypt in 1312 BC. This year, millions of Jewish families, often joined by non-Jewish friends, will sit down together at a special meal known as a Seder. The Passover Seder is rich with historical meaning and takes place on the first two nights of the holiday. A tray of symbolic foods, also known as the Seder plate, is traditionally found at the head of the table. This Seder plate prominently displays the various symbolic foods that will be discussed throughout the meal, each one having a specific meaning relevant to the holiday.

As with other Jewish holidays, wine is an integral part of the Passover Seder and is considered a symbol of joy and happiness. Throughout the meal a blessing is made and a cup consumed. This happens four times to signify the four expressions of freedom. Don’t be surprised when you are asked to spill a small amount of wine or dip your finger into the glass ten times during the reciting of the Ten Plagues, a common practice during this meal. A symbolic fifth cup of wine is poured and a door opened for the Biblical Prophet Elijah to come and drink.

Carmel is Israel’s most established winery, overseen by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, producing Kosher wine for over 120 years. “Many people think that all Kosher wines are sweet and syrupy. There is nothing in Kosher wine law that mandates the style of wine,” says Montefiore. “Kosher wines can be dry table wines, off-dry, dessert or sparkling. Carmel produces a complete range of wines, including the sweet variety (Kiddush wines) that are still traditional for certain ceremonies.

An old Yiddish proverb says “Over the bottle many a friend is found” a saying that is sure to prove true this year at the Seder table. Twenty years ago, Rothschild learned a lesson about winemaking from Languedoc-born winemaker, Pierre Miodownick. Pierre showed him that he could produce kosher versions of his best Bordeaux wines without compromising quality. Today, other renowned wines in Bordeaux, such as Chateau Giscors, Chateau Leoville Poyferre, and most recently, Chateau Pontet Canet are following the Baron's lead and also produce kosher versions of their famous wines in collaboration with Miodownick. Many contend that the only difference between the kosher and non-kosher versions of these wines is that the kosher versions were produced by Sabbath-observant Jews. In some instances, the kosher wine has been so good, the chateau has bought it back to bottle using their standard, non-kosher label.

Kosher Wine Reviews:

Abarbanel Cremant D'Alsace, France N.V.
Price $16
Rating 86
This Cremant is made from the Pinot Blanc grape which is best known for delicateness, suppleness and balance. It is fermented in the bottle. Serve slightly chilled, preferably in a tall, fluted glass. Kosher for Passover. O-U certified. Mevushal. This bubbly is perfect for a wedding or Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Abarbanel Gewürztraminer, Alsace Mevushal 2000
Price $18
Rating 87
The only genuine Alsacian kosher and mevushal Gewurztraminer comes from Abarbanel. There are instantaneous assaults of sugar and spice, oak and herbs. Some believe that Gewurztraminers are perhaps one of the only white wines that can stand up to steak.

Abarbanel Riesling, Alsace 1999
Price $18
Rating 89
"A lovely example showing typical characteristics of Alsatian versions of these varietals. It is dry, showing some mineral, and is more subtle than their Gewürztraminer," in the opinion of Jewish wine critic Glenn Verk.

Abarbanel "Roberto Cohen" Sancerre Rouge, Loire 2001
Price $34
Rating 86
"Light and bright," suggests Jewish wine critic Glenn Verk, "it is flowery, yet with some grip. Fun, but not worth the price." Red wines from the Loire are often served slightly chilled. Match this wine with lighter, delicate cuisine.

Beckett's Flat Shiraz, Margaret River 2001
Price $24
Rating 89
This red displays sweet ripe berry fruit and peppery spices. Only 600 cases made. This wine is ideal for steak and has everything you'd want in a high-end Aussie red -- durability, character, zest. Kosher for Passover and Mevushal. For more information, visit www.kosher-wine.com.

Beckett's Flat Sauvignon/Semillon, Margaret River 2001
Price $20
Rating 88
Pronounced tropical fruit sweetness and herbaceous notes combined with a balanced acidity for a touch of tartness. Perfect with fish of any kind. Kosher for Passover and Mevushal. Only 600 cases made. For more information, visist www.kosher-wine.com.

Carmel Emerald Riesling and Chenin Blanc, Israel 2002
Price $9.99
Rating 89
Aromas of fresh, tart apple followed by flavors of fresh, drish apple. Clean mineral and complex components through the good length. This wine stole the show during a blind tasting. It is neither too dry, nor too sweet. This may be the perfect wine for a family gathering. For more information, go to.www.carmelwines.com.

Carmel Sauvignon Blanc, Israel 2001
Price $11
Rating 88
This wine is produced by the cold fermentation method so that the natural fruity characteristics of the varietal are retained in the wine. Pale gold in color, this is a relatively dry, full bodied wine. It is fruity with good acidity and a pleasant hint of residual sugar in the finish.

Carmel "Private Collection" Chardonnay, Israel 1999
Price $26
Rating 87
Subtle apple and white fruit flavors with hints of fig and a bit of spice.

Carmel "Private Colection" Merlot, Israel
Price $26
Rating 92
Rich plum and mulberry on the nose, followed by flavors of blackberry and dark earth. There is a long, complex length.

Dalton Estate Canaan White, Israel 2002
Price $18
Rating 89
Observes Jewish wine critic (and humorist) Glenn Verk, "This blend is like a kosher "Conundrum" (a highly sought after medium-dry white wine from California). So, let’s call it “Conniption”. Either way, this is a crowd-pleaser. A Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling combination, medium pushing full body, it possesses an interesting melding of flavors with a hint of floral sweetness."

Dalton Merlot Reserve, Israel 2000
Price $25
Rating 89
“Intense and lively, with generous plum, wild berry and light hints of oak and vanilla, this rich and complex wine borders comfortably on elegance. The wine is aged in small oak casks for a year, and has nice lingering aftertastes. The wine is drinking well now but should cellar comfortably until at least 2004.” says Daniel Rogov, Ha’aretz (July 2002).

Dalton Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Israel 1999
Price $25
Rating 89
“After two years in oak this deep royal purple medium to full-bodied wine is still young and tight but already opens to reveal ripe wild berry, black cherry, currant fruits and generous hints of mint and vanilla in its flavors and aromas. Well focused, concentrated and balanced, the wine will drink nicely now if you give it 15-20 minutes to open in the glass but will be at its best from 2003-2006.” as reviewed by Daniel Rogov, Ha’aretz (July 2002).

Layla Malbec, Chile 2000
Price $14.99
Rating 89
"Dark and supple with some leather and black cherry. Good, and a good value," says Jewish wine critic Glenn Verk. Malbec made its way to South America from the Bordeaux region of France during the last quarter of the 19th century. The grapes for this wine come from mature vines and hail from Chile's oldest family estate and winery. Malbec is one of the orginal noble varietals of Bordeaux and has survived in its orginal form primarily in South America owing to various blights which affected many French vineyards over the past century. Malbec will remind some of Merlot in color and texture and also of Cabernet Sauvignon in its ability to mature in the bottle and due to the higher levels of tannins.

Yarden Blanc De Blanc, Israel 1997
Price $17
Rating 89
This Méthode Champenoise bubbly was reviewed by Jewish wine critic Glenn Verk, observing "a light straw color, pleasant slightly yeasty nose, medium body, dry with good acid balance and soft apple tones." This wine is Kosher for Passover; but is not mevushal. Some suggest trying this wine with medium grilled fish in hearty sauces, or grilled marinated chicken, fried chicken, chicken in light sauce, or duck in a light sauce.

Yarden “Katzrin” Chardonnay, Israel 2000
Price $26
Rating 89
Observes Jewish wine critic Glenn Verk, "This white has pretty oak and a sweet apple-blossom nose, and there is a bit of soft tartness with a hint of citrus." This wine is Kosher for Passover; but is not mevushal. Barrel fermentation and aging, along with partial malolactic fermentation, yields a complex wine balaned both with butter and oak

Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon, Israel 1999
Price $26
Rating 90
Observes Jewish wine critic Glenn Verk, "This wine receives 18 months of aging in French oak, and though unfiltered and a bit cloudy, the earthy nose is elegant and complex, though maybe not bone dry." This wine is Kosher for Passover; but is not mevushal. This wine will complement complex, intensely-flavored foods, such as leg of lamb stuffed with mixed wild mushrooms, roasted sirloin with a red-wine-reduction sauce or truffled pasta.