Kosher Food And Wine Experience Uncorks Tasty Offerings

By Rachel Bodner

A sold-out crowd of thousands attended the 2026 Kosher Food and Wine Experience held this year at the World of Blue Hotel in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With presentations by the world’s top creators of wines with some interesting new offerings, it was standing room only as attendees sampled wines from Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Israel, California, New Zealand, Argentina, and some liquors from Panama and Mexico. Light-bodied, full-bodied, crisp, smooth, bubbly, fruity, and velvety tasting wines satisfied even the most discerning palates.

Since Rosh Chodesh Adar is soon upon us, we are highlighting some of the standouts and a few interesting choices that will enhance your upcoming Purim holiday (not to mention Pesach) with prices to fit every budget.

By far the highlight of KFWE 2026 was the introduction of a new line of gourmet kosher champagnes by the prestigious Cheurlin family vineyard in the Aube region of France, which dates back to 1788. Today, the Cheurlin family continues its tradition by producing, cultivating, and crafting France’s finest champagnes. And now, under the ownership of NBA star, Isiah Thomas, the company has rolled out two exquisite kosher standouts that should be present at every simcha: Cheurlin Thomas Célébrité Blanc de Blanc Extra Brut ($100), a flavorful champagne that is bright and crisp, with hints of green apple and citrus peel. Captivating as an aperitif or alongside seafood, lightly grilled chicken, veal, salads, or fruity desserts, this cuvée is a crowd pleaser. For those of you who favor a Pinot Noir or Chardonnay combination, try the Cheurlin Brut Spéciale ($75), an elegant bouquet of white flowers, hawthorn, and linden, with hints of pear, apple, mandarin orange, and wild strawberry. This cuvée pairs brilliantly with sushi, Chinese food, and fruity desserts. The perfect beginning or end of any elegant meal. (Both champagnes are Mevushal and Kosher for Passover.)

From Domaine Les Marronniers in the Alsace region of France comes the Koenig Cremant D’Alsace(about $25.99), a white sparkling wine that would complement your Purim seudah and creates the perfect base for a Sunday brunch Mimosa, Kier Royal, or Bellini. Enjoy the notes of citrus and apple with a lemony fresh fizz that make it a playful addition to any simcha or seudah. Enjoy with broiled fish, creamy pasta, risotto, light chicken dinners, and luscious desserts. (Mevushal and Kosher for Passover.)

Psagot Edom 2023-Here’s an expensive indulgence ($45-48) that fits right into your Purim menu. Comprised primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a firmly-structured dryish red wine with flavors of blackberry, plum and cigar box. Merlot comprises the balance of the blend to make this a stunning addition to your seudah. Pairs nicely with stuffed cabbage, brisket, and grilled eggplant. (Not Mevushal, Kosher for Passover.) And while we’re on the subject of Passover, buy a few bottles of their Psagot Sinai (Mevushal and Kosher for Passover), a nice blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Shiraz from vineyards in the northern mountains of Israel. Make at least one of your arba kosos this refreshing, fruity and beautifully balanced wine. ($25-28).

To elevate your Purim seudah or any kind of simcha, pop open a deliciously pink bottle of Baron de Rothschild Champagne Brut Rosé, an exquisite blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from France’s famed Champagne region, and aged at least three years. Savor the earthy aroma with hints of pear and a slight nuttiness. The unique blend of grapes gives the wine its fine bubbles and golden hay color, providing an aroma that lingers on the tongue. A definite crowd pleaser. (12%, Mevushal and Kosher for Passover.)

Thinking ahead to Pesach, there’s always a last-minute rush to find a tasty, interesting wine that people will want to sample. We’re saving you the trouble by recommending Bartenura Sweet Red Brachetto, a lightly sparkling (frizzante) sweet red wine from Italy’s Piedmont region that at only 6%, goes down easily and is a definite crowd-pleaser. If you’re looking for something pleasant and lightly sparkling, you would have a hard time finding a better one. Our tester loved its utterly refreshing flavor with hints of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry, making it a popular choice for desserts or as an aperitif. Enhance your Pesach Seder with this elegant and affordable wine ($18-20). Ladies: If you’re looking for a wine to freeze for a granita, this would be the perfect choice. Savor this utterly delicious, sweet, and playful wine at Pesach or your next simcha. (Mevushal and Kosher for Passover.) 

{What To Put In Your 2026 Purim Baskets

Want to spoil family and friends? Here are a few delightful additions for your shalach manosguaranteeing you stand out from the crowd, some which are very much budget friendly:

{SMALL IMG Hippy 

Château Roubine’s Hippy Rosé-A light, crisp crowd-pleaser that is worth every cent ($20). So much about wine is the packaging as well as the flavor and aroma, and the Hippy label is so artistically inspired that you will want to thank the artist. A pale pink wine with hints of rose petals, red berries, and English candy, this is a wine that is like a celebration in a bottle. It finishes with pink grapefruit and lime, making it worth sharing. Pair this with grilled meat or fish, Italian dishes, Asian and Mexican cuisine. (Mevushal, Kosher for Passover.)

{SMALL IMG Morad Passion Fruit 

Morad Winery Passion Fruit Wine-Here’s a little gem from a wonderful little winery at the foot of Israel’s Carmel Mountains that produces the most delicious, flavorful, delightfully sweet kosher wines that really impressed our taster. Morad Winery is the brainchild of Eti and Jacob Morad after Jacob’s first meeting with Eti’s father who served him some pumpkin wine. Amazed at this new concept, he began studying how to make exceptional wines from local fruits. In 2008 the couple was joined by the Bodner family (Ellen and Gershon) who helped them expand the operation. The Passion Fruit Wine is bursting with tropical fruit flavors and sweetness, making it a great match for fruity desserts. The Pomegranate Wine is rich with a juicy sweet red fruit profile balanced by the gentle freshness of sour cherries. Our tester was impressed by both. Place a bottle of their Pomegranate or Passion Fruit wines in your Purim gift baskets ($26-28) to send the taste of Eretz Yisrael to your friends and neighbors, and support an Israeli winery that bottles up the bounty of their fertile land to beautify your seudah or simcha. (Not Mevushal, Kosher for Passover.) Ask your local wine seller for their full line of Morad wines. Also available in Wild Berries and Lychee (made with lychees grown in Israel!).

Baron Edmond de Rothschild Rimapere Sauvignon Blanc-Our tester loved this pale gold flavorful wine with slightly green reflections. Perfect for Purim and beyond with notes of ripe lemon, pink grapefruit, kiwi, and hints of freshly cut grass. This New Zealand white wine is competitively priced ($25-28) and pairs nicely with salmon dishes and roasted game. (Mevushal and Kosher for Passover.) 

Château Roubine La Vie en Rose-A vibrant, feminine, elegant wine in a gorgeously inspired bottle that will look super on your Purim table next to a floral display. Must be tasted and indulged to experience how lovely it is. Great for gifting to moms, mothers-in-law, and any special lady on your shalach manos list. This is a standout little gem that exudes elegance and femininity and creates a party atmosphere. Our tester loved it and highly recommends it. And very competitively priced for a French indulgence. ($23-30). A true French rosé: dry, light, and delicious. (Not Mevushal, Kosher for Passover.)

Vera Wang Prosecco Rosé Brut-A delightful, affordable, semi-sweet bubbly rosé prosecco ($21-25) with fruity notes that knocked our tester over with how truly yummy it was. This is the perfect accompaniment to any simcha, big or small, enjoyed with sushi, Shavuos dairy dishes, fresh seafood, pasta dishes, or Chinese food. Or better yet—Sunday brunch! Grapes are 90% Glera and 10% Pinot Noir from the Veneto region of northern Italy. Glera is the grape that is also known as “prosecco.” If you’ve never had a Prosecco, this would be a good starting point. And with Purim just around the corner, fill your baskets with this delightful gem. (Mevushal and Kosher for Passover.)

Vera Wang Party Prosecco-Here’s another enjoyable, affordable Italian prosecco ($21-25) perfect for all simchas and seudas and family gatherings. It features a light body with a fresh, crisp, citrusy flavor with hints of peach, and offers a more casual alternative to champagne. Vera Wang also designed the charming bottle, which dresses up any table and will delight your guests. This wine embodies a playful, yet sophisticated tone, perfect for any occasion.

Cantina Giuliano Sweet V Rosé-A smooth, fruity, Kosher for Passover Italian sparkling wine made from the prized Vermentino grapes that is light, sweet, and effervescent. This offering will truly complement your Purim seudah or Passover Seder. Billed as “Tuscany in a bottle” and competitively priced for its quality ($18-20), this crisp wine is aromatic, refreshing, perfect as an aperitif or with desserts. Our tester found this to be a hidden gem. Truly super and refreshing. (Mevushal, Kosher for Passover.)

Bartenura Moscato Blueberry Cans-Surprise your neighbors and friends with these delightful canned sweet Moscato wines so full of flavor, they are like sunshine in a can. Slightly effervescent and sweet, these little gems will enhance any Purim seudah and make your shalach manos look so spectacular. Affordable elegance (around $5 each in stores; a case of 24 sells for $129.99 directly from the manufacturer), also try the Orange Mimosa (our tester loved this one), Lychee, and Peach Bellini (Italian, 5% alcohol, Mevushal, not Kosher for Passover.)

Adictivo Añejo Ceramic Blue Bottle Tequila-Here’s an impressive Purim gift for your mechutan ($95-100) that will stand out and enhance any Kiddush or simcha. Comes in an impressive ceramic blue bottle that invites curious questions and—surprise!—tastes even better than it looks! A product that hails from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, a region known for producing high-quality agave, this tequila offers a rich flavor profile characterized by notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. Noted for a distinct sweetness, this Añejo tequila is perfect for sipping straight or on the rocks. Enhances classics like margaritas or tequila old fashioneds with its depth and smoothness.

{Also Consider:

Stoudemire Journey Sauvignon Blanc-Our tester found the new line of Stoudemire kosher wines, like their Sauvignon Blanc, to be tasty, affordable ($20), and not too sweet, with hints of citrus and grapefruit. Described as a complex note of dried honeysuckle and fragrant mix of lemon and mango that give way to succulent peach, melon, and sweet grapefruit, there was a lot to like about this wonderful California wine. (Mevushal and Kosher for Passover.)

Les Marronniers Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 2023-Made from grapes grown in the Alsace region of France, this is a delectable white sparkling wine fit for a king’s table ($95) with scents of pear, cherry, plum, and toffee, this Chablis is complex and pairs nicely with grilled white fish, roast chicken, and pasta with herbs. (Not Mevushal, Kosher for Passover.)

Cantina Giuliano Chianti-A fruity, smooth Italian Chianti that is affordable ($22-25), not too dry, with a gorgeous ruby red color and fresh notes of cherries, raspberries, and spices. Best paired with your homemade Italian dishes, pizza, steak dinners, and appetizers. (Mevushal and Kosher for Passover). 

Rachel Bodner is a writer and editor at the 5TJT. She is the author of “Simcha: The Jewish Woman’s Guide to Wellness,” “Pesach Gems,” and the forthcoming cookbook, “The Kosher Self-Care Cookbook: Natural Cooking for Healing and Mood Boosting.”