8 Kosher Wine Ideas for Your Passover Seder

April 8, 2017 by Alleigh Leave a Comment

As I discussed with The Swirl Suite a couple of weeks ago, the world of kosher wines has changed dramatically over the last several years, which means that whether you’re hosting Passover or you’re a guest at someone else’s seder, picking out wine can be daunting. Here are 8 wines—one sparkling, three white, and four red—that you should feel comfortable opening for the holiday.

SPARKLING

Deccolio Prosecco

The Deccolio Prosecco (winery) was a kosher sparkling wine from Italy that is perfect for both the kosher and non-kosher bubbly fan. It was light golden yellow with a lot of good bubbles. Both on the noise and in the mouth, this sparkler had a lot of Granny Smith apples, oranges, and hints of white flowers and honey. It’s simple, food-friendly, and refreshing, and won’t break the bank. I gave this wine 4 corks and purchased it for $14.

WHITES

Ben Ami Chardonnay -- At $10, this kosher Chardonnay from Israel is a nice white wine that would be nice both as an every day wine and as one to open on the holiday. It pairs well with roasted chicken or is enjoyable on its own. Rating: 4 out of 5 | AGlassAfterWork.com

2013 Ben Ami Chardonnay

The Ben Ami Chardonnay (snooth) was from Israel and made with 100% Chardonnay grapes. It has a medium lemon-yellow color. This wine is all about tropical fruits—pineapple, guava, and hints of nectarine and lime on the nose with pineapple, honeydew and hints of lime, guava, and mango in the mouth. The wine had a medium body and bright acidity that made for a nice pairing with roasted chicken and mashed potatoes. I gave this wine 4 stars on Vivino and purchased it for $10.

Flam Blanc – At $28, this white wine blend from Israel is full of flavor. Whether you’re looking for a wine to pair with a turkey dinner or to enjoy over a steaming bowl of mazto ball soup, this wine is a fantastic option. Rating: 4 out of 5 | AGlassAfterWork.com

2013 Flam Blanc

The Flam Blanc (winery, snooth) was an Israeli white wine blend that tasted full of limes, pineapples, and Granny Smith apples with hints of wet stone. The wine had a light body and high acidity. It’s a fantastic food wine, just begging to be paired with a turkey dinner, but would also be nice with matzo balls or kugel. I gave this wine 4 corks and purchased if for $28.

Makom Grenache Blanc

The Makom Grenache Blanc (winery) was made by Hajdu Wines. It was a beautiful lemon color with bright citrus, green apple, and something floral on the nose. In the mouth, the lemons were more like lemon curd mixed with apples, wet stone, and a hint of salinity. The wine had a light-to-medium body with good acid. It was a very fresh tasting that is sure to be a crowd pleaser. I gave this wine 4.5 stars on Vivino and purchased it for $30.

REDS

Casa De Cielo Reserve Malbec/Syrah – At $10, this kosher red wine is from Chile and has a quality/price ratio that would be difficult to match. It is a beautiful medium-bodied, well-balanced that is enjoyable on its own or perfect with a grilled London broil and polenta fries. Rating: 4 out of 5 | AGlassAfterWork.com

2013 Casa De Cielo Reserve Malbec/Syrah

The Casa De Cielo Reserve Malbec/Syrah was Kosherwine.com’s private label, so it can only be purchased from their website. The wine was a blend from the Maule Valley in Chile. It was a beautiful medium-bodied, well-balanced red with blackberries and hints of cocoa dust and roses on the nose and blackberries, dark plums, tobacco and hints of cocoa and smoke in the mouth. While I enjoyed the wine on its own, it was absolutely gorgeous with a grilled London broil and polenta fries. I gave this wine 4 corks and purchased it for $10.

2011 LaTour Netofa Red

The LaTour Netofa Red was is a full-bodied wine made from a blend of Mourvèdre and Syrah grapes. Both the nose and mouth were full of blueberries, blackberries, nutmeg, as well as hints of tea leaves, black pepper, dark chocolate, and dried roses. This was a wine that tasted like it was made to enjoy over a holiday meal with family and friends. I gave it 4.5 corks and purchased it for $35.

2014 Hajdu Wines Brobdinagian Petite Sirah – At $50, this kosher red wine from California is big, beautiful, and defies all the stereotypes about kosher wines. It’s still a touch young, but had nice fruit flavors and was delicious when paired with food. Definitely a wine worthy of a holiday occasion. Ratings 4.5 out 5 stars | AGlassAfterWork.com

2014 Hajdu Wines Brobdingnagian Petit Sirah

The Hajdu Wines Brobdingnagian Petite Sirah (winery) was a big and beautiful. It has nice fruit flavors and was delicious when paired with both a Florentine bistecca and chocolate chip meringue cookies. I actually brought this wine to a BYOB wine lunch with some diverse wine lovers, and not only did no one guess that it was a kosher wine, but also everyone loved it and went back for me. I gave this wine 5 stars on Vivino and purchased it for $50.

2012 Gva’ot Masada

The Gva’ot Masada was the epitome of a special occasion wine, and I’m in love it. This wine as all about blackberries, black currants, and dark plums mixed with a smokey earthiness, and the slightest touches of dark chocolate, thyme, and blueberries. It was full-bodied with grippy tannins. with a medium-to-full body and nice tannins. This is a seductive wine that lingers in the mouth, calling for great food, conversation, and another sip. I gave it 5 corks and purchased it for $80.

Question of the Day: If you celebrate Passover, have you picked out your wines? What are you planning on serving? And, where do you tend to buy your kosher wines?

5 American Red Wines for July 4

July 4, 2016 by Alleigh Leave a Comment

If you’re in the DC area, the cold, rainy weather probably has you in the mood for red wine, but otherwise, it’s sometimes hard to find a red wine that goes well with the warm summer weather. However, red wine is made for BBQ. Here are a few great red wine ideas that are under $25 and worth about opening today for your cookout. Happy Fourth of July!

One Hope Pinot Noir – At $19 a bottle, this red wine from California not only tastes great, but also helps fund rescue animal adoptions, as half the proceeds go to charity. The wine is juicy with a touch of sweetness and begs to be paired with grilled Portobello mushrooms, goat cheese, and girlfriends. Rating: 3.5 out of 5. | AGlassAfterWork.com

2013 One Hope Pinot Noir

The 2013 One Hope Pinot Noir (website, amazon) is a California wine made by Rob Mondavi, Jr. and half the proceeds of the wine are donated to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to help fund pet adoptions. This wine tastes of sweet, juicy strawberries and Bing cherries mixed with hints of cinnamon. It would be a great wine to pair with grilled stuffed Portobello mushrooms, especially if you’re stuffing them with goat cheese. I gave this wine 3.5 corks and purchased it for $19.

Mark West Black Pinot Noir – At $14, this surprisingly full-bodied red wine from California is not what a typical Pinot Noir. It’s a bit darker and more brooding, without being as in-your-face as a Cabernet. Definitely a wine to think about when looking for an in-between. Rating 3.5 out of 5 | AGlassAfterWork.com

2014 Mark West Black Pinot Noir

The 2014 Mark West Black Pinot Noir (winery) is a red wine from California. It’s a surprisingly full-bodied Pinot, with black cherry, tobacco, and mocha characteristics. It’s a nice cookout option because it’s smooth and easy to drink while you’re standing around the grill, but it will also pair particularly well with pulled pork, grilled chops, or burgers. I gave this wine 3.5 corks and received it as a sample, but the suggested retail price is $15.

Barefoot Merlot

The Barefoot Merlot (website) is a California red wine that is perfect for a party. While not very complicated, this Barefoot wine was surprisingly easy to drink and enjoyable. The wine is medium-bodied and has dark fruit flavors—black plums, blueberries, and blackberries—with just a hint of baking spice. I preferred the wine with just a touch of chill (not actually cold), which also makes it the perfect way to keep cooler while still drinking a red wine during the summer. I gave this wine 4 stars and received it as a sample, but the suggested retail price is $8.

Noble Vines 337 Cabernet Sauvignon – At $13 a bottle, this red wine from Lodi California is full-bodied with firm tannins and just plain beautiful. It’s a plush wine that is perfect to enjoy with BBQ ribs or on its own while sitting on the patio with friends. Rating: 4 out of 5 | AGlassAfterWork.com

2012 Noble Vines 337 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Noble Vines 337 Cabernet Sauvignon (winery) is a red wine from Lodi, California. It’s a full bodied wine with firm tannins, and lots of black cherry and blackberry flavors that are mixed with hints of cedar and black pepper. This plush red wine is perfect to enjoy with BBQ ribs or on its own while sitting on the patio with friends. I gave this wine 4 corks and received it as a sample, but the suggested retail price is $13.

2013 Director’s Cut Cabernet Sauvignon – At $24, this red wine from California lingers in the mouth and leaves you wanting more. It has nice fruit flavors mixed with some savory notes that are perfect for enjoying on its own or pairing with beef, lamb, or pasta. Cheers! Ratings 4.5 out 5 | AGlassAfterWork.com

2013 Francis Ford Coppola Winery Director’s Cut Cabernet Sauvignon

The Director’s Cut Cabernet Sauvignon (winery, snooth) is from California and, as long as you give it a little time to breath before drinking it, the wine is fruity upfront, has some savory notes in the middle, and a finish that lingers, begging for another sip to follow. If you’re breaking out the smoker, this is a wine you should open with it. The full-to-medium body will be able to stand up to the flavor of the food, while also enhancing it. I gave this wine 4.5 corks and received it as a sample, but the suggested retail price is $25.

Question of the Day: At a BBQ or cookout, are you more likely to drink beer, wine, or liquor?

5 American White Wines for July 4

June 30, 2016 by Alleigh Leave a Comment

Earlier this week, I posted some suggestions for American sparkling and rosé wines to open over this upcoming holiday weekend. Today is all about the white wine options, as white wine and warm summer weather were practically made for each other. I will apologize upfront to the Chardonnay lovers for not having one on the list. I normally would have at least one, but these other wines were really the ones that were striking my fancy for the Fourth of July. And with that, 5 white wine suggestions of your cookout:

2014 Lilly’s Viognier from The Winery at Bull Run

The 2014 Lilly’s Viognier (winery) is a beautiful white wine from Virginia. It’s a light lemon color with a bright floral nose. In the mouth, thee are apricots and white pepper mixed with hints of grapefruit and honeysuckle. Considering my iffy feelings about Viognier, I was surprised how much I loved this wine. At first I thought it might have been because I tasted it during a visit to the winery, but I bought a bottle that I opened at home and enjoyed it as much, if not more, than I did during my winery visit. I gave this wine 3.5 corks and purchased it for $29.

Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc

The Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc (website) is a white wine from California. This wine is like drinking summer in a glass. It’s light and full of honeydew melons, nectarines, and limes. It’s not a complex wine, but it’s easy to drink and has a great quality-price ratio. If you’re having a lot of people over, this is a white that people will be happy to drink…especially outside on a hot summer day. I gave this wine 3.5 corks and received it as a sample, but the SRP is $8.

2014 Chateau St. Michelle Cold Creek Riesling

The 2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Riesling (winery)is a white wine from Washington state that has a touch of sweetness, nice acidity, and is incredibly drinkable. The wine has aromas and flavors of ripe peaches and apricots mixed with honey and a hint of ginger. It’s refreshing and will pair nicely with the summer salads and cold fried chicken, or can be enjoyed all on it’s own. I gave this wine 4 Corks and purchased it for $20.

This $13 bottle of white wine from Idaho is full of tropical and stone fruits mixed with Lemonheads candy, honey, and flowers. The touch of sweetness mixed with the acidity should make it a nice pairing with the ham, lamb, or turkey. Rating 4 out of 5. Cheers! | AGlassAfterWork.com

Sawtooth Riesling

The Sawtooth Reisling (winery, amazon) is one of my summer house white wines. It’s full of tropical and stone fruits mixed with Lemonheads candy, honey, and flowers. There’s also a hint of ginger. The touch of sweetness mixed with the acidity should make it a nice pairing with hot dogs and steamed crabs. A sign that I’m live fairly close to the Chesapeake is I find there are few things as enjoyable as pairing this wine with something that has been seasoned with Old Bay. I gave it 4 corks and usually purchase it for about $13.

Bouchaine Vineyards Estate Pinot Gris - This $30 white wine from Napa California is a little pricey for an everyday wine or a large gathering, but is a perfect palate-pleaser for a more intimate gathering. It’s an enjoyable sipper that is worth the extra cost. Rating: 4 out of 5 | AGlassAfterWork.com

2012 Bouchaine Vineyards Estate Pinot Gris

The Bouchaine Vineyards Pinot Gris (winery) is a light-to-medium bodied white wine from Napa, California. The wine has a nice lime, grapefruit, and tart Granny Smith apple characteristics that mix with hints of nectarines and thyme. It’s a little pricey for a large gathering, but if you’re doing something a little more intimate, this Pinot Gris is sure to be a guest-pleaser. I gave this wine 4 corks and purchased it for $30.

Question of the Day: What’s your favorite white wine for a cookout or picnic?

5 American Sparkling & Rosé Wines for July 4

June 27, 2016 by Alleigh 2 Comments

I can’t believe there is only a week to go until July 4th, but that means it’s time to make final wine preparations. As long time readers know, I will often open sparkling wine for myself on Independence Day because bubbly and fireworks just go together. And, as I’ve definitely become more of a rosé drinker over the last few years, I can’t deny that I’ve started to associate summer with drinking pink wine. So, to kick off my week of Fourth of July wine recommendations, here are some sparkling and rosé wines from the United States that you should consider. All of them are under $25 and delicious!

Gruet Blanc de Noirs

The Gruet Blanc de Noirs is full of berry and baked pear flavors mixed with a hint of toast, cream, and vanilla. The sparkler has nice acidity, which would make it a good pairing with both potato salad and hot dogs. Plus, the price is perfect for buying multiple bottles without breaking the bank. I gave this wine 4 corks and purchased it for $13.

Mumm Napa Brut Rosé

The Mumm Napa Brut Rosé tastes of cherries, strawberries, plums, and hints of whipped cream and yeast. It has a light body and is very easy to drink (maybe a little too easy). This bubbly also comes in large formats, so if you know that 750ml isn’t going to be enough, you can purchase a 3 liter or 6 liter bottle. I gave this wine 4 corks and purchased the 750ml bottle for $19.20 (as a wine club member. Regular price is $24).

Barefoot Perfectly Pink Spritzer

The Barefoot Perfectly Pink Spritzer surprised me…I admit it. It’s all about ripe strawberries and raspberries mixed with juicy pineapple and hints of pink grapefruit. It’s light-bodied, sweet, easy to drink, and very refreshing. The acidity and spritz keeps the sweetness in check. The key to this wine, though, is keeping it cold, so don’t be afraid to add an ice cube or two. I definitely didn’t enjoy it as much as it warmed up. I gave this wine 3.5 corks, and while I received it as a sample, the SRP is $7.

Storybook Mountain Zin Gris

The Storybook Mountain Zin Gris is my “house rosé.” I haven’t done a separate review of it in a while, so I clearly need to, particularly as I drink it at home regularly. It’s a nice mixture of cranberries, limes, and thyme, which creates something a little different in a rosé. This wine is dry and is as enjoyable with food as without it. I gave this wine 4.5 corks and purchased it for $22.50 (as a wine club member. Regular price is $25).

2015 Mark Ryan Winery “The Vincent” Rosé

The Mark Ryan Winery “The Vincent” Rosé is a perfect picnic or cookout wine. There were fresh strawberries mixed with rose petals and lemon zest. It’s a lighter bodied wine that still packs a powerful flavor punch without being overwhelming. I only discovered this wine in May, but I suspect it will join the Storybook Mountain Zin Gris as a A Glass After Work house wine. I gave this wine 4.5 corks and purchased it for $15.

Question of the Day: Do you have your plans all set for the upcoming Canada Day or July 4th holiday weekend?

5 Wines for Easter Brunch

March 25, 2016 by Alleigh 1 Comment

This year, Hubby and I are headed out to Easter brunch with his family. While this means I don’t have to worry about what wine to bring to his mother’s house for the holiday, it does mean that I’ve already started scoping out the restaurant’s wine list. Figuring out what can pair with a raw oyster bar, pastries, omelets, a carving station full of ham and lamb, and a hot dishes like gravy and biscuits can be as much of a challenge as figuring out wine for Easter dinner. Whether you’re headed out or having people over, here are 5 wines that should help make Easter brunch a success.

Gruet Blanc de Noirs

The Gruet Blanc de Noirs tastes of berries, baked pears and hints of toast, cream, and vanilla. It’s the perfect brunch bubbly, as the bright acidity will help keep the meal fresh tasting, and it will pair nicely with almost everything on the table. Not to mention that all of the Gruet sparkling wines are very affordable, so you if you rather mix this sparkler with some juice to make a mimosa or bellini, you can do so without any guilt. I gave this wine 4 corks and purchased it for $13.

Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé Crémant d’Alsace

The Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé Crémant d’Alsace is pink bubbly that is packed with flavor–cranberries, strawberries, and pomegranates mixed with hints of oranges and a soft, creaminess. It’s not sparkler I would mix with juice, but rather enjoy it’s bright acidity, light body, and fun bubbles on its own. While it also would go well with almost everything on the table, I think would be particularly fantastic with eggs benedict or with some ham. I gave this wine 4 corks, and while I received it as a sample, it has an SRP of $19.

Fattoria Moretto Lambrusco

The Fattoria Moretto Lambrusco is a bright, dark red color with fizzy bubbles and just a touch of fruity sweetness. The wine is full of cranberry, strawberry, and blackberry flavors mixed with some rose petals and thyme. I did a Lambrusco tasting at the end of January for my coworkers (which I will write about in the next couple of weeks), and out of the 6 wines we tasted, the Fattoia Moretto tied with the Riunite Lambrusco as the favorite. I gave this wine 4.5 corks and purchased it for $25.

Bodegas Ruberte Tresor Garnacha

The Bodegas Ruberte Tresor Garnacha screams spring with its red berry flavors, a touch of white pepper, and its medium body. It’s a wine that would pair nicely with a chorizo and cheese omelet or some sliced ham. Just be warned that even though this wine doesn’t taste like it has a lot of alcohol, it can definitely pack a punch. I gave this wine 3.5 corks and received it as a sample, but it has an SRP of $10, which is an amazing quality/price ratio.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery Director’s Cut Cabernet Sauvignon

The Coppola Winery Director’s Cut Cabernet Sauvignon is a bigger, bolder wine that is full of cherries and blackberries mixed with vanilla, licorice, hints of something floral. It’s not so much a fun, flirty sipper like the other wines on this list, but rather a wine that is more substantial as you drink, eat, and talk away the morning. When I reviewed the wine, I actually paired it with very cheesy eggs, which were made with an applewood smoked cheddar, and bacon, so I say with confidence that if you’re going planning on eating the heftier, smokier brunch items, this wine will be the perfect choice. I gave the Coppola Director’s Cut Cab 4.5 corks and received it as a sample, but it has an SRP of $24.

Question of the Day: Have you picked out the wines for your Easter meal yet? What are you planning on opening?