Kosher Wine Podcast Dr. Kenneth Friedman & Rabbi Yisroel Bernath

In this conversation, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and Dr. Kenny Friedman invite their first guests, and chat with rockstar winemaker brothers Gabriel and Shimon Weiss of Shirah Wine, of course all while enjoying a glass of Shirah wine.

They discuss the origins of Shirah Wine and their journey in winemaking. The conversation covers topics such as the production, growth of the winery, the decision-making process for blends, the market for white wines, the importance of labels and packaging, and the ageability of their wines.

Gabriel and Shimon discuss the readiness of wines to drink and the aging process. They explain that every wine is ready to drink, but the aging process can enhance or change the flavors. They also discuss the challenges of winemaking, including financial and logistical aspects, particularly for kosher wine. They mention their influences in winemaking and their plans for the future, including the possibility of producing lower-cost wines.

Takeaways
---Shirah Wine's first vintage was in 2009 and has grown from producing 300 cases to 3000 cases per vintage.
---The winery focuses on Rhône varietals but also explores new and interesting grape varieties.
---The decision-making process for blends is flexible and depends on the vineyards and the desired outcome.
---Shirah Wine aims to offer a diverse portfolio of wines to excite customers and maintain brand excitement.
---The labels and packaging of Shirah Wine are designed by Gabe's sister and feature creative and humorous elements.
---Shirah Wine believes in the ageability of their wines and recommends cellaring certain bottles for future enjoyment. Every wine is ready to drink, but the aging process can enhance or change the flavors.
---The challenges of winemaking include financial and logistical aspects.
---Gabriel and Shimon have been influenced by winemakers such as Jonathan Hajdu, Jeff Morgan, Joe Hurliman, and Craig Winchell.
---They plan to continue producing high-quality wines and may explore the possibility of producing lower-cost wines in the future.
---They encourage listeners to support small wineries and express their gratitude for the support they have received.

Find out more about Shirah Wines and become part of their wine club at https://www.shirahwine.com/
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In the first post-Passover chat, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and Dr. Kenny Friedman discuss their experiences during the Passover holiday and their mutual enjoyment of the Dalton Pet Nat wine. They explore the interesting process of Pét-Nat, or Pétillant Naturel, a sparkling wine made through a single fermentation process right in the bottle. They discuss the history and origins of Pét-Nat and its refreshing and fun characteristics. They also touch on the unique quality of Israeli Pét-Nat and the potential for Israeli winemakers to excel in this style. They answer a fan question on the bracha over cognac and brandy and the conversation concludes with a discussion on the significance of kavana (intention) in winemaking and the enjoyment of receiving feedback from listeners.

Takeaways
---Pét-Nat is a sparkling wine made through a single fermentation process in the bottle.
---Israeli winemakers have the potential to excel in producing Pét-Nats due to the country's climate and the preferences of the young and energetic population.
---Dalton Pét-Nat is a unique and enjoyable wine that stands out during the Passover holiday.
---Kavana, or intention, plays a significant role in winemaking and can be tasted in the final product.


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In the highly anticipated Pesach Seder Wine Pick episode, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and Dr. Kenny Friedman announce their picks. They choose wines only from Israel in four price categories: Under $20, $20 to $40, $40 to $80, and over $80. Additionally, they choose one Moshiach wine from the depths of their cellars. They choose exclusively red wines as these are preferred for the Four Cups. They emphasize the importance of choosing Israeli wines for the Seder and supporting the Israeli wine industry.

In this conversation, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and Kenny Friedman discuss their top wine picks for Passover. The conversation highlights the diversity and quality of Israeli wines and the importance of supporting Israeli winemakers, more so now than ever. They also discuss the significance of remembering and focusing on the Israeli hostages during the Seder, may they be brought home safely, speedily, and in good health now.

Takeaways
---Choose Israeli wines for the Seder to support the Israeli wine industry.
---Consider the price range and value when selecting wines.
---Look for wines that are easy to drink and pair well with the Seder meal.
---Explore different grape varieties and blends for a variety of flavors and experiences. ----Israeli wines offer a wide range of options and are of high quality.
---Supporting Israeli winemakers is important.
---Mentioning a hostage or soldier during the Seder is a meaningful way to honor them.
---Choosing wines for Passover can be a personal and enjoyable experience.



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In this conversation, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and Dr. Kenny Friedman discuss their recent experiences and preparations for the upcoming Passover holiday, the peak buying season for kosher wine. They discuss the question they receive most often, namely, what wines to drink at the Pesach Seder. They provide recommendations for wines to drink and discuss the tradition of using red wine, the need to drink a certain amount quickly, and the ideal  wines to fit the bill. The touch on the importance of including others in the Seder and making them feel welcome. Kenny and Rabbi Bernath talk about the wines they would pull out from their cellars, including special bottles and Israeli wines. They conclude by answering some questions they received from listeners in the past week, including ideal storage temperature for red wines and the best temperature to serve them. They touch on the topic of aeration and decanting, emphasizing that most wines do not need to be decanted. The conversation ends with the hosts expressing their gratitude for their listeners and ask for continued feedback at kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com

Takeaways
—Passover is a wine-focused holiday, and it is important to choose wines that are enjoyable and meaningful for the Seder.
—Light-bodied red wines are recommended for the Seder.
—It is acceptable to drink between the first and second cups and between the second and third cups during the Seder.
—Using a special bottle of wine for the first Kiddush and thanking Hashem for bringing you to this point can enhance the Seder experience.
—Including others in the Seder and making them feel welcome is an important aspect of the holiday. Consider pulling out special bottles and Israeli wines for Passover Seder
—The ideal storage temperature for red wines is 55 degrees Fahrenheit
—Most wines do not need to be decanted
—Chill white wines and rosé before serving, but do not overchill lest you mute flavors
—Investing in wine can be risky and requires professional storage facilities
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In this conversation, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and Dr. Kenny Friedman discuss the concept of Moshiach wines, the significance of wine in Jewish traditions and the importance of choosing the right wine for special occasions. Rabbi Bernath shares his choice for the wine he would serve if Moshiach came right now, the Matar CB, 2016. They briefly discuss the kosher food scene in Montreal. Kenny discusses a wine he had this weekend, the Chateau Marquisat de Binet, Cuvée Abel, Montagne Saint-Émilion, 2015, and the significance of distinguishing between aromas, in this case, the presence of Brettanomyces (Brett) vs. tertiary aromas. They take a comment from a listener, exploring the significance of wine in Jewish culture, its place in Jewish history, and the history and significance of saying 'L'chaim' when toasting with wine. The conversation highlights the importance of expanding one's palate and trying different types of wines. 

Takeaways
---Wine plays a significant role in Jewish culture and is often used to celebrate special occasions.
---The concept of Moshiach wines refers to the most special and cherished wines that one would serve if the Messiah came.
---The Matar CB 2016 is a recommended wine that Rabbi Bernath would serve if Moshiach came right now. 
---Montreal has a renowned food scene, with popular dishes like bagels and smoked meat, though much of it is only “kosher style.”
---Wine aging is a complex process, and the taste and aroma of a wine can change over time.
---Brettanomyces (Brett) is a yeast that can contribute to a distinct aroma in wine, often described as barnyard or Band-Aid.
---The presence of Brett in wine is not necessarily a flaw, and some wine enthusiasts appreciate the complexity it adds to the wine.
---Kosher wine offers a growing opportunity to explore different flavors and expand one's palate.
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In this episode, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and Dr. Kenny Friedman discuss the most recent news out of Israel in the terrible damage to Avivim Winery due to Hezbollah and the continued importance of supporting Israeli wineries. They also share their experiences drinking Israeli wines on Purim, focusing on one of Rabbi Bernath's Purim wines, the Petit Castel, 2020 from Israel's Domaine du Castel Winery. The conversation touches on the Bordeaux-style blends produced by Castel and the significance of unfiltered wines. The hosts then discuss Kenny's tasting of the Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, 2009 and the expensive hobby of wine drinking. The conversation shifts to the differences between kosher and non-kosher blends of the same winery. They discuss the role of mashgichim in the kosher winemaking process. They conclude by emphasizing the endless topics to explore in the world of kosher wine and the importance of engaging with listeners.

Takeaways
It is more important than ever to support Israel and its wineries.Domaine du Castel is a notable international winery based in Israel and Eli Ben Zaken has made a great contribution to the Israeli and international wine industry.Kosher runs of wines may have different blends compared to their non-kosher counterparts due to the availability of fruit and timing constraints.Mashgichim play a crucial role in the kosher winemaking process, ensuring that only authorized individuals handle the wine.Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, 2009, comes from an incredible vintage but this might also be responsible for a shorter drinking window.There are always new topics to explore in the world of kosher wine, as each vintage is different and wines age and evolve over time.Engaging with listeners and addressing their questions and comments is important for creating meaningful content in the podcast.

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Email your questions and comments to kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com