Jewish Community News

News: November 2007

Wines for Hanukkah
By Ernie Weir, Hagafen Cellars
  
   Hanukkah is all about the remem-brance of struggle and the celebration of perseverance over obstacles.  The cliché many of us have heard growing up about Jewish holidays is “They tried to kill us.  We survived.  Let’s eat!” and that couldn’t be more  true  than when it comes to Hanukkah.  
     Traditionally,  holiday meals during Hanukkah call for foods made with or cooked in oil, and matching wines can sometimes be difficult because of the frying or the richness of the foods.  I’ve listed out a few of the most common Hanukkah foods and then given wine suggestions and the reasoning behind them—that should help you think through any dishes you have during holiday time.  Enjoy!

Latkes: high in oil and rich in umami (the fifth taste sensation), go with a crisp white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc, an unoaked Chardonnay, or a Sparkling Wine to help work against the oil.

Roasted Vegetables: many people go with these instead of latkes for health reasons, so a good choice of pairing would be Merlot or Zinfandel; the former has earthy notes that will pair with the vegetables, and the latter has a slight sweetness to accent the caramelization from the roasting.

Brisket: we all know it; brisket is all about unctuousness.  Cabernet Sauvignon is the king of wines, and it’s the perfect match for the richness of the meat.

Lamb: because of the gaminess, lamb requires a wine that can match it flavor for flavor; go with a Syrah-based wine.  Whether it’s called Syrah, Shiraz, or Cote du Rhone, the earthy, meaty flavors will pair perfectly.

Chicken: the health conscious might choose a roast chicken; an equally solid choice for wine is an oaked Chardonnay for its richness or a Merlot to match the roasted flavors.

Salmon: this richest of fishes knows only one true flavor mate—Pinot Noir for its ability to work with the fish’s fat and to accent the sweetness good salmon also contains.

Jelly Doughnuts:  in the mood for a real celebration?  Go with a Sparkling Wine to match sweetness for sweetness.  Bubbles are great with any course!