Kosher wine is wine that is produced following the Jewish laws regarding what is proper to eat and drink. As with many aspects of Jewish life, there are numerous laws regarding the processing and consumption of kosher wine. However, by the time the wine reaches the store shelves, you'll find a delightful array of choices (not just the sweet sacramental wine you may remember from childhood holidays).
Significance
While fresh produce is naturally kosher, if a fruit or vegetable undergoes any type of processing, it must be certified kosher by a reputable "mashgiach" (kashrut supervisor) who inspects the ingredients and equipment and makes sure that no non-kosher products are involved at any step in the process. The process of wine-making is further restricted, however, because of the prohibitions against using products that may be used in idol worship, as wine was in ancient times. Therefore, to be kosher, wine and grape juice must be handled exclusively by observant Jews at every step of the process, including tasting and pouring the finished product.
"Yayin Mevushal"
One way to get around the need for only observant Jewish workers is to cook or pasteurize the wine during processing, which produces "yayin mevushal" (literally, cooked wine). This wine then needs additional wine enzymes to induce artificial fermentation. After the cooking stage, mevushal wines can be processed by non-Jews, although still under supervision by the mashgiach.
Function
In addition to being used at table, kosher wines are used for sacramental purposes. At meals on Jewish holidays, including Shabbat, a blessing is recited over wine before anyone can drink it. Wine is also an integral part of a Jewish wedding ceremony.
Types
For many years, kosher wine was synonymous with sacramental wine, which has a thick, syrupy consistency and very sweet taste. These wines, primarily made by Manischewitz from New York vineyards, have a low alcohol content and are used for religious purposes. However, there are many fine kosher table wines available from Israel, California, and even Spain and France. Well-known brands include Yarden, Herzog, Covenant, and Bartenura. Varietals available include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Shiraz.
Kosher for Passover
A special subset of kosher wines is wines that are kosher for Passover. On Passover, no bread or leavened products are allowed to be eaten or even owned. This means that the mashgiach at the winery must take extra care with wines that are intended for Passover use. In general, Israeli wines are made kosher for Passover all year. Many, but not all, other are also kosher for Passover; check the bottle carefully, either for a "P" next to the "hechsher" (symbol of kosher supervision), or the Hebrew words "kosher l'Pesach".
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