Passover is a holiday of freedom and family. And wine. Lots of wine. Read on for the best wines for Seder.
Many different foods are prepared during Passover; each with great symbolism. I’ve compiled a list of Passover foods and the best wines for Seder to enjoy with your loved ones. Seders are ritual feasts where family members gather to tell the story of the Exodus. Below you’ll find a brisket wine pairing guide, best wines with lamb shank, a wine to match with chicken and potatoes, as well as wine suggestions for matzo ball soup and gefilte fish; if you’re so inclined to pair each course
When is Passover?
In 2023 Passover begins on sundown on Friday April 5th and lasts for 8 days, ending at sundown on April 13th.
What is Passover?
Passover is marked by one big rule: No leavened food. When the Jews fled Egypt they did so quickly and were unable to wait for their bread to rise. To commemorate Jews refrain from eating chametz (leavened grain). This means no food or drink that includes even a trace of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt or their derivatives, that was not guarded against leavening or fermentation. Passover is a wine holiday as most other alcohols are considered chametz.
What Foods are Served during Passover?
Seder is full of food and symbolism. Matzah is eaten to commemorate the unleavened bread the Israelites ate as they fled Egypt. The center of the meal is the Seder plate, highlighting 6 foods as the story is told.
- Roasted Egg: Symbol of the festival sacrifice made in biblical times and a symbol of spring.
- Shankbone: Symbolic of the Pascal lamb offered as the Passover sacrifice in biblical times.
- Bitter Herbs: Eaten as a reminder of the bitterness and harshness of the slavery in Egypt.
- Charoset: Representing the mortar used by the Hebrew slaves to build Egyptian structures. This is often made from apples, nuts, and spices mixed with wine, but many variations exist.
- Karpas: A vegetable other than bitter herbs, representing hope and renewal.
- Parsley: Dipped into salt water during the Seder, a reminder of the tears shed during Egyptian slavery.
The main meal for Seder will often consist of matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, and one or two of the following main courses; beef brisket, lamb shank, and/or chicken and potatoes.
Symbolism of Wine During Seder
Part of Seder is the drinking of 4 glasses of wine. There is conflicting information about what they represent. Some believe the 4 glasses of wine represent redemption. Others, the four times Jews were exiled. Another possibility is the 4 evil decrees from the Pharoah. Regardless of what you believe, you’ll need wine for your Passover Seder!
Wine Pairing with Passover Seder
If you’ve been tasked to purchase the wines for Seder this Passover, follow this guide. If you keep kosher, the availability of kosher wines has increased, and shouldn’t be difficult to find. This Passover wine guide includes a wine pairing with brisket and other main courses, as well as the best wines for matzo ball soup and gefilte fish. Oh, and don’t forget some sweet with for the coconut macaroons!
For more wine and food pairing tips, check this out.
What Wine Pairs with Matzo Ball Soup?
Matzo ball soup is usually the first dish served during Passover Seder. Every family makes it slightly differently. It’s a chicken broth based soup with carrots, celery, parsley, dill, and of course matzo balls. It’s my belief that all meals should start with bubbles, and luckily some Champagne is kosher for Passover. If you’re not a fan of bubbly, matzo ball soup also pairs with Viognier, Grenache Blanc, or Chardonnay.
What Wine Pairs with Gefilte Fish?
Gefilte fish is never missing from a Passover Seder table. It’s poached fish mixed with matzo meal and shaped into balls. It’s often served with horseradish. Gefilte fish pairs well with Chenin Blanc, Assyrtiko, or a classic Sauvignon Blanc.
What Wines Goes With Brisket?
Brisket is the most popular main course served at any Seder. Following kosher laws, it is always a beef brisket. It has graced Seder tables since at least the 1700s. It is slow braised beef with a variety of preparations usually with a sweet marinade with lots of spices. The wine match for brisket should reflect the weight of the dish, therefore a bold red would be the best option. The best wine pairing with brisket is a Zinfandel. The sweet and spicy beef complements the sweet and spicy red wine. Not a Zinfandel fan? No worries, another pairing option is Shiraz.
What Wine Goes with Lamb Shank?
A lamb shank is one of the main items of a Seder plate; it represents sacrifice. Lamb blood was also spread on the doorways of Jewish homes in Egypt so the angel of death would pass over their doorways. A full lamb shank dish is often prepared for Passover Seder. The best wine wine pairing with lamb shank is Syrah. Another great wine match for lamb shank would be Tempranillo. Both options would make a harmonious pairing.
What Wine Goes with Chicken and Potatoes?
If a lamb bone is not possible for the Seder plate, a chicken bone can serve as a substitute. There are several ways Passover chicken can be prepared though a common theme is a sweet sauce like honey or orange glaze. Pair Passover chicken with a full bodied white wine like Semillon which will bring out the sweetness in the sauce. If you’d like a red wine for Passover, consider using a Zinfandel that will pair with both the chicken and the brisket.
What Wine Pairs with Coconut Macaroons?
Because flour is not allowed during Passover, desserts made from coconut are common. As with any wine pairing with dessert, the wine should be sweeter than the food. Pair coconut macaroons with a sweet Muscat from Samos, an ice wine from Canada, or a sweet German Riesling.
I wish a healthy Passover to my Jewish readers. Tell me some of your Passover food and wine traditions in the comments.