Psagot Sinai White 2023

This Shabbat, which is also the holiday of Sukkot, we are featuring another special selection from the Psagot Winery; “Sinai White 2023”. Produced from grapes that were harvested in the Judean Mountains at almost 900 meters above sea level, it is a blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurztraminer. It is refreshing, aromatic, and with flavors of melon and pear it’s very easy to drink. 

Wines produced at Psagot are labeled “kosher”. The designation of “kosher” is important to those who abide by Jewish Dietary Laws.  “Kosher” applies to both food and wine, but the regulations are different. For wine it’s dependent on the actual act of turning grapes into wine. Once the grapes are brought to the winery they can only be mixed with yeasts that have no association with animal products, and the winemaker needs to be a Jewish person that observes Shabbat.  

“Kosher” wines made in the land of Israel, have a few additional stipulations. They can not be made from fruit for the first three years after it’s planted, and every seven years the land has to be allowed to rest in order to regentrify.   

The word “kosher” does not indicate wine quality. The processes of fermentation, maturation, blending, bottling, as well as growing and managing vines are the same. Wine quality is determined by a panel of experts that evaluate it based on a variety of factors; including complexity, intensity, how well balanced it is, and an assortment of other criteria.  

Some “kosher” wine has the additional certification of “meshuval”, denoting it has been flash pasteurized. This is important to those with a more strict interpretation of Jewish law.  Some Psagot wines are “meshuval”, including the “Sinai”.

As consumers, we evaluate wine by what tastes best to us and sometimes that can be from a specific area. We appreciate Napa for their amazing Cabs, Marlborough for their Sauvignon Blanc, Mendoza for their Malbec, Tuscany for their Sangiovese, and the list goes on. Some of these wines produced throughout the world are “kosher” and some are not.

Israel, an Eastern Mediterranean country, with a variety of landscapes is known for making delicious high quality wines. The Golan and Galilee are known for their delicious Cabs and Merlot. The Judean Hills create some wonderful Bordeaux blends as well grow delicious Syrah. The Negev has been producing lovely whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and even Gewurztraminer. Many of the wines from Israel are “kosher”, but not all are.

Here at Israel Wine Girl, the wines we feature are “kosher”, but when shopping in the “Israel” section of your store, not all will be. For confirmation, check the back label on the bottle.

Psagot wines are “kosher” and available at many wine shops, including Wegmans. They are also available at Kosher Wine Warehouse, free Shipping with a purchase of $99. Use the code ISRAELWINEGIRL for 10% off your entire purchase.