How to taste wine like a sommelier: Kosher edition
All it takes is a glass, wine and a pause to think when you sip, swirl and savor the wine.
Kosher wine has come a long way from its reputation for being overly sweet and simple. Today you’ll find high-quality kosher wines from Israel, France, the U.S. and beyond, offering complex flavors and diverse styles. Whether you’re new to wine tasting or looking to refine your palate, I am here to offer a new way to drink wine. All it takes is a glass, wine and a pause to think when you sip, swirl and savor the wine. When I studied to become a sommelier, not only was I required to know the many different varieties of grapes; I needed to know the history of wine regions and how the wine was made. That was the easy part. The real challenge was the tasting portion of the test.
The tasting requirements were all done blind, meaning the only information I had on the wines came from my eyes and nose. Six different wines, one minute per wine to answer these types of questions:
Name three fruits and three non-fruits with the smell and taste of the wine.
Where is the wine from in the world? The answer “France” was not good enough, I needed to say what region in France like the “Rhone region.”
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What type of oak is the wine (French or American)?
Describe the legs on the wine?
What is the vintage of the wine?
It was nerve-wracking; but wine tasting can be a fun part of the overall experience, even with Manischewitz kiddish wine. The key point is to think about what you are smelling and tasting.
Let’s get started:
1. Start with the right glass and pour
A proper tasting experience begins with the right glass. Use a clear, stemmed wine glass to observe the wine’s color and clarity. Pour only about a third of the glass full, which is just enough to swirl without spilling. Holding the glass by the stem prevents body heat from affecting the wine’s temperature.
2. Observe the wine’s appearance
Before taking your first sip, take a good look at the wine.
• Color and hue: White wines range from pale yellow to deep gold, while red wines can vary from light ruby to dark purple.
• Clarity: A high-quality wine should be clear and bright, never cloudy.
• Legs or tears: After swirling, streaks may form on the inside of the glass. These indicate alcohol content but do not necessarily determine quality.
3. Swirl and smell the aromas Gently swirl the wine to release its aromas, then take a deep sniff, really get that nose in the glass.
• Fruity notes: Citrus, berries, apples, stone fruit or tropical fruit
• Floral and herbal notes: Roses, lavender, mint or eucalyptus
• Earthy and spicy notes: Leather, vanilla, oak, chocolate or spices
Each wine variety and region has unique scents — Israeli wines often feature Mediterranean herbs, while French wines may carry earthy or mineral notes.
4. Take a sip and savor the flavors Let the wine coat your palate and focus on the different taste elements:
• Sweetness: Is it dry, semi-sweet or very sweet?
• Acidity: A crisp, fresh sensation that makes your mouth water.
• Tannins: Present in red wines, these create a drying, slightly bitter sensation on the tongue. The easiest way to describe tannins is how your mouth feels when one eats a powdered sugar donut (you should try this).
• Body: Light, medium or full-bodied — comparable to the weight of skim milk versus whole milk.
• Finish: A long-lasting finish is often a sign of a high-quality wine. Is the wine balanced?
5. Pair it like a pro. Great wine deserves great food! Try these kosher wine pairings:
• Dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay): Best with fish, chicken and dairy dishes.
• Light red wine (Pinot Noir, Grenache): Pairs well with roast chicken, salmon or mushroom-based dishes.
• Full-bodied red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah): Ideal for steak, lamb or cholent.
• Sweet wines (Moscato, Port): Perfect for desserts, fruit or cheese plates.
Now that you have the basics, it is important for you to do the following to bring it all home.
6. Take notes and discover your preferences Each time you try a new kosher wine, jot down:
• The aromas you noticed
• How it tasted (dry, sweet, bold, light)
• Whether you would drink it again. Over time, you’ll develop a better understanding of your preferences. Cellar tracker is a great app where you can store this information.
Here is my final tip for wine tasting: Trust your palate! Wine tasting doesn’t have to be intimidating —there’s no “right” or “wrong” taste. The best type of wine is the one you enjoy! So, next time you open a bottle, take your time, follow these steps and enjoy every sip like a sommelier. PJC
Uriel Marcovitz is a former restaurateur in Pittsburgh. He studies wine with the Court of Master
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