In one of the last training sessions I gave to sales managers in Detroit, introducing them to kosher wine, I explained about the amazing resurgence of the kosher wine industry. We passionately showed off new and exciting wines like Oregon Pinot Noir, Amarone, Gavi and Aglianico. To my astonishment, someone from the audience asked, confused: “Wait, all those wines are sweet?”
Kosher wines, outside of the Jewish world, do not have a great reputation. The usual stereotypes of kosher wines are: overpriced and over-sweet. And don’t get me started on the mevushal wines. I have been defending kosher wines since I got into this industry. Hearing things like “kosher wines are boiled wines,” is still commonplace in the wine industry, and it’s been exhausting.
On Sukkot we are once again celebrating our freedom from Egypt and by remembering our ancestors living in sukkot while in the desert. So, let’s break the shackles we are chained to by drinking wines that are sold in the regular market, those kosher wines that are so good that are not only confined to the kosher aisles.
Twin Suns Grand Select – We are starting big here. The flagship of the Twin Suns line is this Grand Select. Unlike the other Twin Suns wines, which are based on a single varietal, the Grand Select is a blend, based mostly on the Bordeaux blend (which can include cab, merlot, petite verdot, cab franc and malbec).
Also, what distinguishes the Twin Suns Grand Select from the rest, is its unique profile flavor per production. The Grand Select is not made every year. We make sure we can make the best blend when possible. This year’s blend is cab and malbec only. And the flavor is nothing like we have seen before. The first edition, 2013, was silky and elegant, the 2014 had a bite and tons of fruit, the 2016 had a lot of character and complexity.
The current 2018 is a complete bombshell. The Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Cabernet gave it its tannin, acidity and the force you are looking for in a big red. Then comes the malbec that provides the calm, with some smooth fruitiness. This is the wine you want to pair with your meats and heavy meal.
Sliver Sky – Sparkling Rose – Let’s be honest with each other – when we imagine our fathers and mothers in the desert, freed slaves, taking shelter under a hut, most probably sweaty and weary, what wine do we imagine them with? Wouldn’t they prefer a delicious, cold, refreshing, sparkling rose? Of course!
We also added a drop of sweetness to this wine, as it is defined as a semi-dry sparkly wine. This fun and beautiful beverage is clearly the choice for the Sukkah, among friends and family, all socially distancing from each other, nevertheless still united under a silver sky.
Moses Date Vodka – a candy with alcohol! You heard me speak about pairing your wine and food. What do you pair your dessert with? How do you relax after a long, heavy meal?
The Moses Date vodka is popular for Sukkot, specifically because of the date palm tree and lulav connection. The placement of the Moses date liquor bottle at the sukkah table, with its stunning golden palm trees, is impeccable.
What’s better than pouring it into a glass with two rocks, at the end of the meal, with or without dessert, and enjoying a few minutes of a quiet and sweetness.
Wishing a happy and sweet year to everyone.
Ami and Larissa Nahari are the co-founders of The River Wine; producers of Twin Suns, Contessa Annalisa and Aura Di Valerie Amarone wines. The River Wine also produces Ethan’s Reserve bourbons, coming out this October and Cascada Tequila (January 2021).
The River distributes Shirah, Tishbi, Beit El, Bravdo, Moses and more. They are also the proud importers and distributors of DS Tayman single malts.
