Kosher Wines for Passover

The Seder plate. The garnished dinner table. Someone is hiding the afikoman for the little ones to find later. The matzah ball soup simmers in the background.

It’s time for Passover!

Passover is actually one of those holidays in which the wine takes a dominant role as wine is consumed throughout the entire Seder. Thus, I take the wine selection quite seriously each year! I like to display a general variety of Kosher for Passover wines that each guest can enjoy, based on their preferences, throughout the Seder.

However, it can be difficult to find a good quality bottle of Kosher for Passover wine beyond the reliable bottle of Manischewitz. While the world of Kosher wines is expanding, many consumers may feel overwhelmed about the quality of a Kosher wine selection.

To help take some of the overwhelm out of Kosher for Passover wine selections, I’m sharing some of my favorite dry (not sweet) Kosher wine brands that have previously adorned our Passover table. While our family tends to prefer drier wines, some of these brands do offer sweet options. If you do not have a sweet wine, and your relatives prefer sweet, provide them honey or sugar to mix into their wine. This is an easy way to address everyone’s preferences during the holiday.

Binah Winery Rosé Wine

Binah Winery is located in Pennsylvania, producing Kosher for Passover wines in non Mevushal styles. The wines are fresh and delicious! One of my personal favorites is the Rosé, dry and refreshing, but juicy and soft on the palate. The nose is fragrant with fresh strawberry aromas and hints of wildflowers. It is the perfect addition to every Seder because it is simply beautiful visually and in taste.

This year, I’m trying a few additional wines by Binah for our Passover Seder. Wines retail from about $18 – $27 per bottle. However, they offer a special on the “Passover Case” selection, which is a steal for finding delicious wines to supplement the Passover Seder. Plus, wines can ship to a number of states!

Novel Carrera Cabernet and Barbera Blend

This concentrated dry, red wine is a blend of 74% Cabernet and 25% Barbera. It is a Mevushal wine, produced in Israel and is certified Kosher for Passover. It is full bodied and contains quite a bit of toastiness from the oak. Some vintages may experience a touch of green bell pepper. Depending on where you live, this will retail for about $25 per bottle.

Casa de Cielo Chardonnay

This has been one of my favorite Kosher finds as it is delightfully aromatic with vibrant tropical fruit, zesty, candied orange slices, and fresh floral flavors. I recommend starting the Seder with this wine, as it will surely get everyone in the mood for a night of family and remembrance. This is a Mevushal, dry white wine produced in Chile, and it usually retails at $10 or less. It’s a bargain! The Casa de Cielo is Kosher for Passover.

Yogev Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Blend

If you would like a change from the Mevushal-produced fruit bombs, the Yogev dry, red blend offers a more masculine style of wine. It is Kosher for Passover, but not produced under Mevushal production rules. Yogev is made in Israel and retails for about $15 per bottle. It had red fruit flavors coupled with dried herbs flavors that reminded me a lot of Old World style red wines. With a very soft mouthfeel, it will pair well with the various foods associated with the Passover Seder.

Need a fun appetizer for Passover?

It can be torturous waiting for that matzah ball soup! If you’re looking for something fun and easy for the family to snack on during Passover, I’d recommend lox “pops.” (Note: if you are keeping Kosher, these appetizers do contain dairy and may not be appropriate for consumption immediately before the start of the Seder. Second note: They make excellent leftovers for breakfast!)

Spread Kosher for Passover cream cheese over large pieces of smoked salmon. Cut the salmon into thin slices and roll up. Using a toothpick, secure the salmon rolls and add a small piece of cucumber beneath it. Sprinkle with fresh dill and/or capers. Wa-la!