8 Nights of Wine for Hanukkah

The sun will be setting soon. In a few short hours, windows all over the Jewish world will be aglow with candles. In Israel, Hanukkah stands apart. It is not defined by Christmas and you are more likely to find a line at the bakery than a toy store. The kids will enjoy a few days off from school and families will gather together to celebrate Hanukkah and feast on sufganiyot, fried, filled donuts (mmm!) that will challenge even the most calculated commitment to counting calories.

We are very excited to celebrate our first Hanukkah in the Holy Land!

If you are looking for a Hanukkah-friendly wines to enjoy with family and friends, here are a few of our recommendations to enjoy this week.

2014 Dalton Pinot Gris (Israel); $19. Dalton Estates Pinot Gris 2013 is a light to medium bodied dry white wine with fragrant notes of straw, pear, and citrus. Flavor notes include grapefruit, tart apple, and pear, with hints of mint and lemon.

2013 Barkan Riesling (Israel); $12. This semi-dry wine is made from 100% Emerald Riesling grapes and is characterized by a light fruity and refreshing taste with a sweet finish.

2014 Twin Suns Chardonnay (California); $19. A soft, elegant Chardonnay from cool climate Monterey County displays classic notes of citrus, green apple, piña colada and subtle toast.

2010 Barkan Assemblage Reichan (Israel); $31. This wine is made of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 13% Syrah boasting a deep, shiny red-purple color. On the nose the hints of mint are woven together with the cassis and the chocolate and the taste of ripe black-purple fruit with a fresh acidity and firm tannins combine to produce a finish that is long and pleasant.

2014 Twin Suns Cabernet (California); $15. This 100% Cabernet, sourced from the warm climate Central Valley, displays classic notes of red cherry, currant and mint with layers of dense, supple tannins.

2011 Segal’s Dishon Cabernet (Israel); $30. This wine remained in contact with its grape skins for 34 days, as it was gently pumped over to achieve optimum extraction of the wine’s potential. 95% of the wine was aged in French oak barrels and 5% in American oak barrels for 20 months. The result is a symphony of color, aroma, and barrel enhanced flavor that exemplifies this special vineyard.

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Morad Double Espresso Liqueur (Israel); $20. Made entirely from coffee beans, this intense and aromatic liqueur is rich in flavor and texture, and a perfect addition to an after dinner cup of coffee or hot chocolate or enjoy as a topping on cake or ice cream.

Porto Quevedo Porto (Portugal); $22. A full bodied and well balanced dessert wine from Portugal, Quevedo Ruby Port has a deep ruby color with fruity notes that evoke plum and black fruit jam. Tasting notes include cherry, raspberry, black currant, plum, and a hint of dark chocolate. Pair this versatile fruity wine with sharp cheese, apple tart, or chocolate mousse.

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