I understand that these are incredibly trying times, however, people ask me for this list so I am putting it out there. My hope is that it brings happiness to someone. Even if it does not, as I always say, this blog is for me, and I mean no disrespect in posting this here and at this time. My hope is that it finds the value to some. My sincere best wishes for health, success, and safety to all!

As many have read on these pages, a few wine events have come and gone, – with the last couple being canceled given the world we live in today. As I walked around KFWE this year – I was asked again for a list of my top kosher wines for Passover, so here it goes! This is my list of great and reasonably priced kosher wines.

A few caveats first, this is MY list! This is not a list that will make many happy. These wines are the wines that make me happy. No wines here would be considered overripe, over sweet, or all over the place. The wines here are listed in the order of cost. That said, the top line wines – what I call Top Flight wines, are not defined by cost at all. In that list, you can find a 2011 Yarden Blanc de Blanc or the 2013 Yarden Brut Rose, both are great sparkling wines. At the same time, the list includes some of the best high-end kosher wines I have ever tasted that go for $100 or so a bottle. The list of Top Flight wines is ALL wines that I would buy without hesitation, no matter the cost (if I can afford it of course).

Passover is a time of year when Jews buy the most wine, along with Rosh Hashanah, and the American New Year. That is why all the kosher wine events happened a month or two before the Passover festival. It gives the wineries and distributors a chance to showcase all their wines that each appeal to different market segments. So, no there are no sweet or semi-sweet baseline wines here. There are many very good 15 or so dollar bottles of wine, that can be bought at Skyview Wines, Gotham Wines, Suhag Wine, and of course onlinekosherwine.com, kosherwine.com and Gary’s store, along with the other wine stores I have listed on the right-hand side of this blog (as always I NEVER make money from them and I never know or care what people buy, the list is whom I buy wines from and so I can recommend them to others).

Also, the amount of money you spend does not define the value or quality of the wine. Take for example the less than 10 dollars 2018 Chateau Riganes Bordeaux, white or red, or the slightly more expensive Herenza Crianza, and many others. These are great wines and the price is only an added benefit. However, there are many low priced wines that are not on this list, as they lack the quality required, IMHO.

Seeing the list and checking it twice (could not help myself), I am sure there will be a question – what defines a wine as a Top Flight wine and why are there wines that are not on it? The Top Flight wines, is a list of wines that personally was wowed when tasting them. That does not mean that the 2018 Chateau Riganes Bordeaux, as nice as it is may or may not be, can compare to another wine on the 50 dollars and above list – that would not be fair. What it does mean was that when I tasted one of these Top Flight wines, I was wowed, and I said this is a wine that everyone should get – no matter the price. In the end, this is not about which is better than the rest it is a way to whittle down the list of wines that I enjoyed from a massive set of thousands of kosher wines available here in America. That is why I made the list. In hindsight, I am sure I will have missed some wines. If you do not see a wine you love and it scored a 90 or higher on this blog somewhere, then I can assure you that it was probably an oversight on my part.

Also, this is a PSA – please do not buy 2018 rose wines! PLEASE! They are muted and a waste of your hard-earned money. Sadly, the 2019 roses I have tasted so far are a WASTE of time. The best of them are still in France and not here in the USA yet.

Arba Kosot (The Four cups of Passover)

Finally, it the Jewish custom to drink four cups of wine on Passover, but to power down these wines are far too hard for me (the concept there is to drink the base quantity of wine to fulfill your requirement – which is a Revi’it, within a certain time period). In the past, I was drinking red, Israeli wines that were simple to drink, not complex or impressive. However, with time, I found a better option, drink the majority of a small cup that fulfills the Revi’it quantity of wine. This way, I can drink an Israeli, not Mevushal, red wine – like a Netofa wine. This is explained more below. This year, I think I will go with Yarden Rose Brut Sparkling wine. It is Israeli, not mevushal, “red”, and lovely wine, and an acid BOMB!

For the main course, I am happy to open a Top Flight wine and enjoy that at a calm and enjoyable pace. Another option is to get some of these great glasses from Stolzle, that fulfill the official four cups requirements in terms of volume and respect, according to most Rabbis. The glasses hold 3.5 fluid ounces of wine, which according to almost every source fulfills the concept of Revi’it.

NOTE! This year all 4 cups are NOT a D’oraysa, but rather a rabbinic requirement. Therefore, you can stay at 3.5 ounces. The only day you will need to go to the 4.42-ounce sized cup would be Shabbat night.

It does not fulfill the Chazon Ish’s requirements of 5.1 ounces, but if you wish to meet that requirement use these glasses by Gabriel Glas. Also, remember that you should drink the entirety of the cups, which is why I recommend the smaller cups. If you cannot, some allow the idea of drinking the majority of the cup, but that is not the best approach. Finally, the LAST CUP, should be drunk in totality, as that is the ONLY cup upon which you say an “After Bracha (Blessing)”, and as such you must have drunk at least 3.3 ounces to say the last blessing.

A few more comments here. I hope I have gotten all the wines that I have tasted here, but I almost posted this a few times, and then only at the end did I remember I forgot a few. Also, this year’s list is not as long as last year’s list, because Israel continues to be a mess, outside of a few winners. The reds from 2016, 2017, or 2018 in Israel, have been a failure, excepting for a few.

In the end, these are my picks, they are easy to find and in my opinion, really good. There is also the Jewish Week’s list and Yossie Horwitz (of Yossie’s Corkboard) also comes out with a list.

So there you have it – enjoy good kosher wine for a reasonable price and enjoy the Passover holiday safely and in health! Happy Passover to you all. Post what wine you will be enjoying, I would love to hear from you guys on what you will be drinking throughout the holiday! Finally, returning to the start of this post, please be safe, follow guidelines, and I pray you and the family are safe and successful.

Wines below 15 dollars:

2018/19 Elvi Vina Encina White
2018/19 Elvi Vina Encina Red
2018 Elvi Winery Rioja Semi (QPR)
2018 Chateau Riganes Red (QPR)
2018 Chateau Riganes White (QPR)
2017 Koenig Riesling (QPR)
2018 Baron Herzog Gewurztraminer
2018 Chateau Genlaire Bordeaux

Wines below 20 dollars:

2017 De La Rosa Taryag Gruner Veltliner (Organic)
2019 Herzog Lineage Sauvignon Blanc (NOT 2018 or earlier)
2019 Or Haganuz Amuka Blanc Blend – DO NOT buy 2018 or 2017 (they are essentially dead)
2017 O’Dwyers Creek Sauvignon Blanc (QPR) (DO NOT buy the 2018 vintage)
N.V. Gilgal Brut (QPR)
2017/2018 Pacifica Riesling (QPR)
2017 Herzog Lineage Chardonnay (QPR) – Only the 2017 vintage, NOT 2016
2018 Goose Bay Sauvignon Blanc (mevushal) (QPR) – 2017 is kinda old
2018 Ramon Cardova Albarino (QPR)
N.V. Koenig Brut, Cremant d’Alsace
2017 Domaine Netofa Red
2018 Terra di Seta Chianti Classico (I have not tasted this one YET)

Wines below 25 dollars:

2018 Chateau Signac Cotes du Rhone
2017 Chateau Mayne Guyon
2019 Matar Rose
2015 Louis Blanc Beaujolais Julienas
2018 Hagafen Dry Riesling (QPR) (mevushal)
2017 Rothschild Flechas Malbec
2014 Elvi Herenza Crianza (Not a huge fan of 2016)
2014 Chateau Leroy-Beauval

Wines from 25 to 35:

2019 J. de Villebois Pouilly-Fume (not here in the USA yet)
2013 Eccelenza, Bianco Umbria
2017/2018 Domaine Netofa Latour, White
2016/2017 Domain Netofa Tel Qasser, White
2017 Domaine Netofa Latour, Red
2016 Chateau La Tonnelle Haut Medoc
2016 Chateau Greysac Medoc
2016/2017 Les Marronniers Chablis
2013/2015 Terra di Seta Chianti Riserva (Great QPR)
2018 Kos Yeshuos The California Kid
2019 Kos Yeshuos Viognier
2015/2017 Chateau Fourcas Dupre
2017 Pascal Bouchard Chablis, Premier Cru (Europe Only)
2017 Or Haganuz Elima (No Added Sulfites)
Porto Quevedo, Ruby Port, n.v.t
Porto Cordovero Fine Ruby Port
2016 Chateau Lamothe-Cissac
2016 Chateau Malmaison
2014/2015 La Demoiselle d’Haut-Peyrat Haut – Medoc
2017 Jean Philippe Marchand Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits
2019 Domaine du Castel Rose
2016 Barons Edmond & Benjamin de Rothschild Haut Medoc 30th Year Anniversary Edition
2018 Les Marronniers Chablis, Premier Cru (coming very soon)

Wines below 50:

2019 Kos Yehuos Pinot Gris
2019 Kos Yeshuos Falanghina
2017 Chateau Guiraud G (dry)
2016 Jacques Capsouto Cuvee Marco, Grand Vin, Rouge
2017 Jean-Pierre Bailly Pouilly-Fume, Sauvignon Blanc
2018 Vitkin Grenache Blanc
2018 Vitkin Gewurztraminer, Collector’s Edition
2017/2018 Yaacov Oryah Silent Hunter (הצייד השקט in Hebrew)
2017/2018 Yaacov Oryah Light from Darkness (אור מאופל in Hebrew)
2018 Yaacov Oryah Soulmate
2018 Ya’acov Oryah Alpha Omega Chenin Blanc
2018 Ya’acov Oryah Chardonnay Skin Macerated
2018 Ya’acov Oryah Roussanne Skin Macerated
2018 Ya’acov Oryah Semillon Skin Macerated
2018 Ya’acov Oryah Viognier Skin Macerated
2014/2015 Chateau Tour Seran, Medoc (Mevushal)
N.V. Drappier Rose de Saignee, Champagne
2014 Chateau Marquisat De Binet, Cuvee Abel
2018 Tzora Shoresh, White
N.V. Dalton Anna
2014/2015 Chateau Rollan De By
2013/2015 Terra di Seta Chianti Classico Assai
2016 Chateau Guimberteau Lalande-De-Pomerol
2018 Shirah Gruner Veltliner
2018 Shirah Gruner Veltliner, “Fiddlesticks”
2012 Chateau Cru Ducasse
2015 Clos Lavaud, Lalande de Pomerol
2017/2018 Joseph Mellot Sancerre Blanc
2016 Chateau La Colonne – NOT the 2014 vintage
2016/2017 Covenant Chardonnay

Wines above 50:

2018 Clos des Lunes Lune D’Argent
2017 Jean Phillipe Marchand Nuits Saint Georges, Aux Herbues
2017 Jean Phillipe Marchand Gevrey-Chambertin
2017 Jean-Phillipe Marchand Volnay, Sous Luret
2015 Domaine Condorcet, Chateauneuf du Pape, Cuvee Anais
2018 Le Vins de Vienne Condrieu, La Chambee
2017 Herzog Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake County, Special Reserve
2015 Chateau Chambeau, Lussac Saint-Emilion
2018 Jean Luc & Paul Aegerter Bourgogne, Hautes-Cotes de Nuits, Reserve
2018 Jean Luc & Paul Aegerter Pommard, Reserve
2018 Jean Luc & Paul Aegerter Gevrey-Chambertin, Reserve
2016 Domaine Netofa Dor (Not a huge fan of the 2017 Syrah)
NV Janisson & Fils Champagne Brut Blanc
2018 Chateau Gazin Rocquencourt, Blanc, Pessac-Legonan
2017 Chateau Gazin Rocquencourt, Pessac-Legonan
2012/2015 Chateau Cheval Brun Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
2015/2017 Chevalier de Lascombes
2012/2014/2015 Chateau Haut Condissas
2017 Chateau Petit Guiraud Sauternes
2016 Herzog Single Vineyard Kabb Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Herzog Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard Calistoga
2015/2016 Chateau Pavillon de Leoville Poyferre
2017 Herzog Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill, Clone Six Edition (Not a great vintage)
2011/2014 Domaine Roses Camille Echo de Roses Camille
2011 Moulin du Chateau la Clide
2016 Domaine Roy Maison Roy & Fils Pinot Noir, Shai
2012 Chateau Serilhan
2017 Shirah Monastrell (Mourvedre)
2016 Shirah Carignan, Templeton Gap
2015 Shirah Syrah, Alder Springs
2014 Chateau Magrez Fombrauge Blanc (NOT the 2015 or 2016 vintage)
2014 Clos Haut-Peyraguey Sauternes (NOT 2015 or 2016)
N.V. Laurent Perrier Champagne, Cuvee Rose
2014 Famiglia Cotarella Montiano, Lazio

Top Flight Wines (wines worth it no matter the price – within your idea of reason)

2005/2015/2017 Chateau Leoville Poyferre
2016/2017 Les Roches de Yon-Figeac
2014/2017 Chateau La Tour Blanche Sauternes, 1er Cru classé
2014/2016 Chateau Tour Saint Christophe
2014/2016 Chateau Haut Brisson
2016 Chateau Du Tertre Margaux
2015 Chateau Grand Puy Ducasse
2015 Chateau Cantenac Brown
2015/2016 Chateau Lascombes
2009/2014 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac – Leognan
2016 Herzog Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley (NOT 2017)
2015/2016/2017 Chateau Giscours, Margaux
2014 Chateau Rayne Vigneau Sauternes
2014 Chateau Soutard, Grand Cru Classe de Saint-Emilion
2015/2016 Herzog Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill, Special Edition (mevushal) (NOT 2017)
2014/2016 Herzog Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill, Clone Six Edition (2017 is not as good a vintage so it is above) – essentially I have split the vintages of the Clone six between Top-flight wine for 2014 and 2016 and 50+ dollar wine for 2017.
2011/2012 Yarden Blanc de Blanc (mad QPR)
2012/2013 Yarden Rose Brut (mad QPR)
2015/2016 Elvi Wines Clos Mesorah
2005/2014/2016 Chateau Malartic Lagraviere
2004/2014/2016 Chateau Montviel
2016/2017 Chateau Royaumont Lalande De Pomerol
2016 Château La Tour de By, Heritage, Marc Pages, Médoc
2009/2010/2014 Elvi Herenza Reserva
2011/2015/2017 Chateau Moulin Riche
2015/2016 Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon (not a fan of 2017 and did not taste 2018)
2015/2016 Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon, Lot 70 (not a fan of 2017)
2005/2006/2011/2012 Domaine Roses Camille
2016 Eagles Landing Pinot Noir Reserve
2007 Yarden Blanc de Blanc Late Disgorged
2014/2015/2017 Domaine Chantal Lescure, Pommard (Not a fan of 2016)
2015 Domaine d’Ardhuy Aloxe Corton
2016 Chateau Clarke Bordeaux
2015 Virginie de Valandraud
2015 Chateau Labegorce, Margaux
2010/2017 Chateau Lafon-Rochet, Saint-Estephe, Grand Cru Classe

Israel Only – For Now anyway

NV Yaacov Oryah Old musketeer
2018 Yaacov Oryah The First Anthology, Alpha Omega
2018 Yaacov Oryah The Anthology of Spice, Alpha Omega
2018 Yaacov Oryah Gewurtztraminer, Alpha Omega
2012 Domaine Netofa Late Bottled Vintage (LBV), Port
2018 Vitkin Late Harvest Gewurztraminer
2017 Vitkin Insight, Macabeo
2018 Vitkin Riesling, Collector’s Edition
2018 Flam Winery Camellia

France/Europe Only for now

2014 Chateau Marsac Seguineau, Margaux
2015/2016 Chateau Haut Breton Larigaudiere, Margaux
2014 Chateau La Tour Carnet, Haut Medoc (NOT the 2015 vintage)
2014 Servitude Volontaire De La Tour Carnet, Haut Medoc (NOT the 2015 vintage)
2014/2015 Chateau Peyrat-Fourthon Haut-Medoc
2014 Domaine D’Ardhuy Cotes de Beaune Villages
2014 Chateau Tour Baladoz
2015 Chateau Clauzet
2014 Chateau Trigant, Pessac Leognan
2014 Chateau Tour Seran, Medoc (NOT Mevushal)
2016 Chateau Tour du Bosquay, Bordeaux Superieur
2016 Chateau Tour du Barail, Bordeaux Superieur
2016 Benjamin de La Tour de By, Medoc
2014 Enclos de Viaud, Lalande de Pomerol
2016 Chateau Luchey-Halde, Pessac-Leognan
2016 Chateau Bellegrave, Saint-Emilion
2018 Baron David, Bordeaux
2016 Chateau Bois Cardon, Haut-Medoc
2015 Chateau Roc de Boissac, Puisseguin Saint-Emilion
2018 Koenig Gewurztraminer, Prestige, Alsace
2016 Chateau Castelbruck, Margaux