In the words of Adam Sandler, “Hanukkah is The Festival of Lights. Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazzzzzzzzy nights!”
The Hanukkah story tells of a small amount of oil lasting the Jewish people eight days and nights, even though it was only enough for one—a miraculous moment in Jewish history. But let's be honest, it would take an even bigger miracle to make one bottle of wine stretch that long!
To solve this, we’ve handpicked eight wines, one for each night of Hanukkah. Recommended by ABC wine expert Dan Eddy, these selections include varietals from around the world that are sure to brighten your holiday. We've also included a range of Kosher, Kosher for Passover and non-Kosher wines that can be enjoyed year-round.
This year, Hanukkah is from December 25 – January 2. As you add a new candle each night, treat yourself to a different bottle of wine.
If you're looking to gift a bottle of wine for Hanukkah, you may be wondering, "What exactly makes a wine Kosher?"
Kosher wines follow the same production process as non-Kosher wines, with a few key differences. A Rabbi oversees production, and only a Sabbath-observant Jewish individual may handle the wine.
Wines labeled "Kosher for Passover" have additional requirements: no grain or bread-based yeast is used. Instead, they rely on yeast derived from fruit or sugar. Dan Eddy notes, "You'll see it labeled 'Kosher for Passover' on the back of the bottle, or marked with a small 'K' or 'U' and a 'P' next to it."
You might also spot the term "Mevushal" on some Kosher wines. This Hebrew word means "cooked," but it actually refers to a quick, flash pasteurization process that allows the wine to retain its Kosher status even if handled by a non-Jewish person.
Before you start spinning the dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, uncork a bottle of Barkan Classic Cabernet Sauvignon. This Kosher red wine is made with grapes grown from ancient vineyard sites in the Upper Galilee region and Jerusalem mountains in Israel. It is registered as all levels of Kosher, including Kosher for Passover, meaning it can be enjoyed year-round by those who observe. This bottle is styled like a French cabernet sauvignon with typical black currant and blackberry aromas on the nose. These notes become pomegranate tartness on the palate with an oaky finish to provide balance and richness to the wine.
Dan Eddy believes every celebration should include some bubbly. So, why not celebrate Hanukkah with a Kosher moscato? Like all Moscato d’Asti’s, this sweet wine is light with a hint of bubbles and features a delightful palate of pear, tangerine, nectarine and melon flavors. It has a lovely perfumed nose of jasmine, honeysuckle and citrus blossom, making this a perfect dessert wine. Drink it on its own or pair it with fruit-based desserts like the Hanukkah staple, sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts).
Sourced from estate fruit, sustainably grown under the watchful eye of a real Italian Princess, this veneto pinot grigio is perfectly balanced between bright, acidic flavors and softer apple and pear notes. Silky smooth on the palate with a round, juicy mouthfeel up front - it is crisp and dry on the finish. This crowd-pleasing white wine pairs well with all kinds of foods or can even be enjoyed on its own.
Baron Herzog has been America’s best-known Kosher wine distributor for 30 years. The history of Herzog winemaking has spanned over nine generations and arrived in the United States from Eastern Europe during the 1940s. These are excellent options for those wishing to maintain their Kosher diet, as they are also Kosher for Passover and blessed to honor the Jewish heritage. This chenin blanc has aromas of pear blossom and gooseberry, fruity notes of white peach and nectarine giving a ripe and juicy palate with a broad appeal. Recommended to be served chilled.
If your home is filled with the mouth-watering scent of latkes, pop open a bottle of pinot noir to enjoy alongside the potato pancakes. Planet Oregon Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley in Oregon is not only an incredible value but has also received three consecutive 90-point scores from Vinous for the last three released vintages. This organic red wine is dry with ripe cherry notes that shift into hints of earth and rhubarb. You’ll notice a finish with lightly floral notes of violet as you enjoy this wine from the Soter Vineyards.
We’re halfway through the week, and this next pick (also from Baron Herzog) is the perfect pour to get you through the mid-week slump. Like most California zinfandels, this Kosher version is fruit forward with ripe blackberry and juicy black cherry notes. Softer tannins make it great to pair with anything from barbecue to lighter fare, like assorted cheeses, chicken or even vegetarian meals.
This Washington syrah is a crowd-pleaser with its inviting blend of flavors and versatility. Aromas of brambly red fruit give way to a floral finish that’s sure to pair well with your sugar-dusted, jam-filled sufganiyot. However, this wine’s well-structured tannins that still give a velvety finish allow it to pair famously with almost anything.
Domaine Saint Vincent is the second label from New Mexico’s Gruet Winery, founded by a French family who came to the U.S. with a mission to make Champagne-style sparkling wines. This label is exclusive to ABC in Florida. It’s a classic blend of chardonnay (80%) and pinot noir (20%), with secondary fermentation in the bottle adding rich brioche notes to the finish. Crisp and well-balanced, it offers bright fruit aromas of apple, citrus, and a touch of minerality on a zesty palate, with elegant, fine bubbles.
