On Sunday night, Jews in New Jersey and throughout the country, will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
Wine is an integral part of the Jewish celebration and kosher wines are as modern as the year 5776.
Start the celebration with the kosher nonvintage Drappier Carte d’Or Champagne. For two centuries, the Drappierfamily has produced champagne where Romans once planted vines, and ages it in cellars built by monks in 1152.
In 1952, the Carte d’Or cuvee was created with 80 percent pinot noir; the balance was divided between chardonnay and pinot meunier. That recipe remains intact, with a slight adjustment for nature’s yearly impact at harvest.
Drappier historical cellarMy glass of the kosher nonvintage Drappier Carte d’Or Champagne streamed refined bubbles, pushing white fruit aromas of peaches and pears from the glass. A delicate texture lined with ginger, croissant and citrus flavors are supported with a minerality that gives this well-made champagne a lingering finish.
Enjoy the kosher nonvintage Drappier Carte d’Or Champagne with an eggplant dip, chicken satay and gefilte fish hors d’oeuvres; it retails for about $55.
The Bokobsa family began producing kosher wines in Tunisia in the 1870s. Since the 1960s, it has produced kosher wines throughout France, including the tasty 2013 Pascal Bouchard Chablis.
The lemon scent of the kosher 2013 Pascal Bouchard Chablis is instantly appealing, and the mix of citrus and guava flavors are carried on a medium body that finishes in a delightful fruit flourish. Serve the 2013 Pascal Bouchard Chablis with your favorite white fish and horseradish sauce and a side of sautéed or steamed spinach; it’s priced at about $45.
Kosher red wines are made at many of Bordeaux’s top chateaux. Baron Edmond de Rothschild is the great grandson of James Rothschild, who purchased Chateau Lafite-Rothschild in 1868.
Edmond de Rothschild purchased two Bordeaux estates in 1973: Chateaux Clark and Malmaison. From those vineyards and purchased grapes, the kosher 2012 Barons Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Haut-Medoc is made.
The smoky, black tea and blackberry scent of the 2012 Barons Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Haut-Medoc is the essence of Bordeaux. Blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors are bound with integrated tannins, delivering a supple sensation and a pleasant finish; it retails for about $35.
The Gironde River separates the two sections of Bordeaux’s vineyards (referred to as the Left Bank and the Right Bank); Edmond de Rothschild’s son, Baron Benjamin de Rothschild purchased Chateau Les Laurier in 2003 in the Montagne Saint-Emilion appellation.
Chateau Les LauriersThis Right Bank chateau is planted with St Emilion’s formula of mostly merlot, a supporting role for cabernet franc, and a dash of cabernet sauvignon.
The kosher 2013 Chateau Les Lauriers reflects merlot’s graceful feel and alluring cherry and blueberry aromas and flavors. The two cabernets, franc and sauvignon, contribute mild black fruit flavors and tannins that bring a balanced and pleasant finish; expect to pay about $26.
Both Rothschild wines are structured for current consumption; each will benefit from 30 minutes aeration in a decanter, before serving them with your roasted chicken or beef brisket.
L’shanah tovah.
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