March Madness, Wines for Passover and Beer for St. Patrick's Day

March means spring, and spring festivities. This month I have reviewed wines that will pair well for the holiday of Passover, and on beer for your St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

When considering wines for a specific event, I always focus on how long it will last and how many people will be at the event. The holiday of Passover is when the Jews relive the exodus from slavery in Egypt, and celebrate the ability to sit and relax in freedom. A major focus of the meal is being able to separate one’s self from the ‘daily grind’. A traditional Passover meal includes meat, brisket or lamb, as well as many different side dishes and dips to accompany the entrée. In addition, four glasses are traditionally consumed during the Seder meal.

 Red wines tend to work well with meats because they contain tannins, the acidic structure of red wine that comes from the grape skins. Tannins are great for digestion since they help break down the meat as they also enhance the flavors of the rest of the meal. A kosher value wine that I recommend for a Seder meal is Segal’s Fusion Red ($12.99). It is made in Israel, in the Galilee Heights, and is a blend of Merlot (60%), Cabernet Franc (20%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (20%). This wine has dark fruit notes, a blend of spices in its body and finishes clean. It can be served with a beef or lamb dish and is affordable for a large crowd. Another red wine that is an extraordinary blend from a historically special area in Israel is Ella Valley Ever Red ($26.99). This wine is a blend of Merlot (60%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (40%). The grapes are grown in the valley where David defeated Goliath (Samuel 1, 10:7) and the wine is made in a state-of-the-art facility. This wine is ideal with lamb, and is one of my personal favorites. It has a lot of rich red fruit and is aged in French oak providing depth and body. It also finishes with mint and other exotic spices.

On the white side, I have focused on wines that will work with chicken and seafood, like salmon and gefilte fish. A white wine with acids and citrus notes will work very well with the fish side of the meal, and a drier white with some acid will work well with chicken. For first white wine Goose Bay Sauvignon Blanc ($17.99), from New Zealand. This is a great wine with gooseberries and hay. It also has green fruit on the nose and palate, too. Its starts with a sweet touch and finish with a crisp acidic back. This is also a great wine to begin a Seder, while snacking on some gefilte fish! If you are in the mood for something a little drier, with melon and citrus, yet more oak on the back end, try the Segal’s Fusion White ($12.99). The sister wine to the Segal’s Fusion Red, the Fusion white is a blend of Chardonnay (65%) and Columbard (35%).It is great for chicken dishes and can stand up for an entire meal, even four glasses worth!

Everyone in this country is Irish on St. Partick’s Day. The day is filled with drinking beer and having a good time. When partaking in such festivities, you must select a beer that will enhance your total enjoyment. One beer that is totally drinkable for a long session (the term used by beer drinkers for a beer that will be easy on the palate and belly) is McSorley’s Black Irish Lager ($8.99 per six-pack), which is part of Irish-American History. McSorley’s is an ale house, located in New York City, which is believed to be the oldest Irish Pub in America. It was established 1854 by John McSorley of Ireland. The beer is a dark color and a clean flavor of dark roasted malts, caramel and coffee. It and finishes with a touch of hops. While being a fun beer, its carbonation is well balanced which provides an easy drinking feeling.

Another Irish-style beer is made by Schlafly Brewery from St. Louis, Missouri. This Extra Stout Irish-Style beer ($16.99 per six-pack) is a heavy and slow sipper. This beer has a big smell of toasted barley, and flavors of coffee, dark dried fruits and a touch molasses.  While it is an awesome beer to sip, it may not be the best for longer term consumption, since it packs an alcohol content of 8%.

Through the month of March please enjoy, but enjoy responsibly!