A Pre-Purim Peek at the Kosher Food & Wine Experience
Image by Liza Schoenfein
Image by Liza Schoenfein
The 10th annual , held at Chelsea Piers last week, featured an exciting lineup of kosher wine, spirits and tasty treats — many of which came from first-time vendors at the event.
With the new KWFE 2016 phone app ready to go (no more paper pamphlets to scribble my notes in!), I began wandering the large, sunlit hall in search of a bite to eat. The table of desserts immediately caught my eye, particularly the small ice cream pops made by Premier Ice Cream Confections. I savored the treat — a frozen strawberry center surrounded by vanilla and dark chocolate — and was off to begin my wine tasting.
Image by Liza Schoenfein
Dessert offerings from Premier Ice Cream Confections.
Knowing that it would be impossible to stop at every table, I generally kept my eyes open for interesting labels I didn’t recognize from last year’s event.
I began by tasting two champagnes by Drappier, which were excellent (and paired very well with my ice cream pop). The label’s “Carte Blanche” brut was particularly fine.
Image by Liza Schoenfein
One wine producer in particular stood out to me — perhaps because of the booth’s friendly father-son duo, Schlomie and Eitan Ross, who were pouring and schmoozing with enthusiasm. Psagot Winery, which is based in Israel near Jerusalem, had 13 different wines to share. The Edom, a combination of cabernet sauvignon and merlot, is one of the more complex wines I tasted, and the Psagot chardonnay is refreshing and delicious.
Shlomie Ross (left) and his son Eitan Ross at the Psagot Winery booth.
Out of curiosity, I checked out some of the spirit brands, including Bicerin, which makes a rich and thick chocolate liquor.
Overall, it was a successful year at KWFE — I now have my own little list of kosher wine options for Purim and Passover!
Jean Hanks is food intern at the Forward.
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