08/07/06 Kosher Wine

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and on today's program, we are answering a question from the email. Recently a listener wrote to ask what makes a wine Kosher. So today's topic is Kosher wine. I usually get this question around the holidays but for some reason the topic of kosher wines came up for a listener and he was not entirely sure what did make a wine Kosher. Well, kosher wines are made from vinifera grapes the same as any other wine. The wine grapes may be grown and harvested by anyone, whether kosher or non-kosher. However, once the wine making process begins the wine is under very strict supervision and, all wine making processes must be conducted by observant Jews. No work is done on the Sabbath. All barrels must be new and any used barrels must be from other kosher wines only. A trained Rabbi observes or oversees the entire wine making process. If even the simplest infraction by a non-observant Jew takes place, the wine is declared non-kosher. In the past these wines were considered rather poor quality by most wine aficionados however, the quality and styles of the wines are improving all of the time. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.