GrapeLines

A tribute to the legendary Daniel Rogov including a review of the Mosby Kosher Plum Brandy Slivovitz.

The wine world has sadly become a little less interesting with the recent passing of Israel’s preeminent wine critic Daniel Rogov earlier this month. Rogov (as he preferred to be called) arrived on the Israeli wine scene just as there was a growing interest in quality improvement.

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Some suggestions for Passover wines.

The four cups of wine served at Pesach gives each guest the opportunity to expand their wine horizons. The significant increases in quality kosher wine producers around the globe and their willingness to try different varietals have enhanced the choices available for this year’s sedarim. This improvement is most readily apparent in Israel, which has been the recent recipient of some very favorable wine press. But it can also be seen in the kosher wines from locations as diverse as California, Spain, Italy, France, Australia and New Zealand.

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Some wine recommendations for Shavuot.

The Talmud states that there is no happiness without wine. As the only drink with its own blessing — thanking the “Creator of the fruit of the vine” — wine is integral to Shabbat and other Jewish holidays. Even the cup to hold the wine is special, often ornately decorated and of a specific volume to ensure that enough is consumed to fulfill the mitzvot.

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Gift suggestions for this year’s holiday season.

By now your mailbox is overflowing with catalogs urging you to buy everything from a waxed-fruit subscription to a glow-in-the-dark menorah. While it is sometimes difficult to select appropriate holiday gifts, each year it gets easier to buy something for the wine-lovers on your list. Here are some suggestions:

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Some wine recommendations for this year’s seder.

When shopping for Passover this year, be prepared for some surprises when you walk down the wine aisle. There are new names on the shelves including two very well-known non-Jewish properties that have made kosher-for-Passover wine. And some of the more familiar producers have released novel varietals.

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Hanukkah wine suggestions.

Wine makes an excellent Hanukkah gift. Easily wrapped and portable, there are wines for all tastes: dry or sweet, bubbly or still, red, white or even pink. “Around the world the quality of wines has improved dramatically,” said Jon Genderson, owner of Schneider’s Wine Store in Washington DC. “This is especially true for kosher wines.”

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