Passover is finally here! Along with kashering our homes, cooking the seder, and working through Zoom fatigue with our families, one of the things that we shouldn’t have to worry about is purchasing a quality wine to celebrate our liberation from Egypt.
I spoke with my friends at Potomac Wine & Spirits in Georgetown and they put together a list of recommended wines they carry that would be perfect for your Seder – regardless of if you’re enjoying it with family, roommates, friends, or just nursing a whole bottle by yourself.
$13.99, Kosher for Passover and Mevushal
This a great, balanced red wine that is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 20% Shiraz grapes. It will pair well with nearly any meal – especially olives, cheeses, and barbecue. As a dry red, I recommend it with the red meat on your seder plate.
$21.99, Kosher for Passover and not Mevushal
This a refreshing and crisp medium body white wine. There is a hint of citrus and passionfruit in it, but it strikes a good balance so not to take away from the flavor of the food you’re having it with. For pescatarians, this can pair well with a fish main dish or with an Israeli (or non-Israeli) salad. I would not recommend having it with gefilte fish.
$21.99, Kosher for Passover and Mevushal
This is a dry, medium bodied white wine with hints of pear. For the vegetarians and vegans, this can pair well with a non-meat main dish. Although this is an oaked Chardonnay, the oak is mild and does not overpower the flavor of the wine.
$32.99, Kosher for Passover and Mevushal
The Edom is a red wine blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, and 5% Petite Verdot grapes. This is a fairly complex wine that requires a heavier main dish to pair it with, so it doesn’t drown out the flavors. I would recommend a lamb or brisket main dish, or a heavier vegetarian dish such as Bamya.
$29.99, Kosher for Passover and Mevushal
You’ll recognize this wine by The Fiddler on the Roof art on the front of the bottle. It is a red wine blend of 45% Shiraz, 40% Petite Sirah, 9% Petit Verdot, and 6% Merlot grapes. It has a well-balanced mix of smokey and fruity flavor, but do not be intimidated by it – is an incredibly drinkable wine. I would recommend pairing it with a heavy main dish or a rich dessert.
If you haven’t had Arak before, it smells like licorice and the taste can range from herbal to fruity. Elite Arak is on the fruitier side of the spectrum, but don’t let that fool you – at 40% ABV it can serve as a l’chaim to your guests or the perfect nightcap to a long Passover night. Just remember to find the Afikomen first.
Editor’s Note: Please drink responsibly. And, if you are looking for something non-alcoholic for your seder, here are a few drinks we recommend: Organic Kedem Grape Juice, Fre Red Blend, or Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon, Organic Pomegranate Juice, or really any one of those delicious sparkling juices from Trader Joe’s.
About the Author: Brett Boren is a Conservative Jewish guy who loves his mother’s challah, but could do without her latkes. Originally from Miami, he appreciates arroz con pollo as much as double-chocolate babka, though preferably not together. When he’s not experimenting in the kitchen, he can be found with his cat, Youpi, or sampling shawarma at Max’s.
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