New Year, New Kosher Quaffs

This time of year, the wine industry is always abuzz. Harvest season for wine producers in the Northern Hemisphere runs typically between August and October. For the kosher wine industry, this is always an especially busy period — not only is the production side in high gear, but the lead-up to Rosh HaShanah is also traditionally a busy period for retailers. Second only to the run-up to Passover, this is the season when kosher consumers have come to expect new products — new wines, new vintages, and often discounts and sales as retailers try to make room for new inventory and offer additional incentives to attract customers.

The so-called rules for pairing food and wine — like “red with dark meat” and “white with fish and poultry” or “lighter wines go with lighter foods” and “richer, full-bodied wines go with richer foods” — are no different for Rosh HaShanah than at any other time. Such “rules” are dependable guides on balance and can be very handy, but should not ever be thought of as inviolable. The goal of pairing wine with food is, as always, balance and harmony; neither element should overpower or, far worse, clash.

`Here, then, are some new offerings for the holiday meals:

Sparkling:

Herzog, Lineage, Momentus ($20; mevushal): This light but vibrant, value-driven, white, off-dry, refreshing sparkler is fairly elegant, with notes of citrus, stone fruits, fresh bread and slightly sweet melon. (Available at Kosherwine.com, [866] 567-4370, $16.99.)

Baron Herzog, Jeunesse, Belle Rouge ($15; mevushal): This is semi-sweet and pretty simple stuff, but fun, sparkling and inviting — notes of ripe, sweet, almost candied red fruits like cherry, strawberry and raspberry with a slightly drying finish. Good for those who prefer sweeter red bubbly. (Available at Columbus Avenue Wine and Spirits, 730 Columbus Ave., columbuswines.com, [212] 865-7070, $15.99.)

Champagne des Barons de Rothschild, Brut Rosé, Kosher Edition ($100): An enjoyable dry sparkling rosé with notes of strawberry, raspberry, citrus and toasted bread, gently persistent bubbles, and good balancing acidity. (Available at Kosherwine.com, [866] 567-4370, $94.99.)

Whites:

Goose Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, South Island, New Zealand, 2018 ($22; mevushal): This latest vintage doesn’t disappoint. It’s wonderfully brash, brisk, crisp, vivacious and herbaceous, with pungent aromas and flavors of grapefruit, gooseberry, green pepper, spicy ginger and passion fruit. (Available at Skyview Wine & Spirits, 5681 Riverdale Ave., skyviewwine.com, [888] 759-8466, $15.95.)

Domaine de Panquelaine, Sancerre, 2018 ($30; mevushal): This is the kosher label of the Loir producer Domaine des Grandes Perrières. This is crisp, restrained and nicely minerally with notes of citrus and orange blossom, with subtle salinity. (Available at Oak and Barrel, 235 East 57th St., oakandbarrelnyc.com, [212] 308-6252, $29.99.)

Netofa, Tel Qasser, White, Galilee, Israel, 2017 ($33): This 100 percent Roussanne is a real pleasure to drink. It is full-bodied, bright, rich, floral, earthy, minerally and fruity — with flavors of green apples, pears and quince, all firmly braced by lively acidity. (Available at Kosherwine.com, [866] 567-4370, $32.99.)

Reds:

Flechas de Los Andes, Gran Malbec, Argentina, 2017 ($30): Young and medium-bodied, with attractive notes of dark berry and stone fruits, chocolate, spice and light oak. Should improve with age but delicious now. (Available at Kosherwine.com, [866] 567-4370, $24.99.)

Netofa, Latour, Red, Galilee, Israel, 2016 ($30): This savory, fleshy, layered, balanced, medium-to-full bodied, delicious blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre offers aromas and flavors of assorted dark berry fruits and freshly cracked black pepper, with a touch of weathered leather, chocolate, rich spices, a whiff of tobacco and a little charred meat on the lengthy finish. (Available at Taste Wine Co., 50 Third Ave., tastewineco.com, [212] 461-1708, $30.)

Shiloh, Shor, Merlot, Israel, 2016 ($35; mevushal):  This is a bit brooding and ripe but nicely coherent; offering lovely dark fruits, subtle mint, spices, coffee and a little smoked meat. (Available at Kosherwine.com, [866] 567-4370, $32.79.)

Herzog, Special Edition, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford District, Napa Valley, 2016 ($85; mevushal): Young, tannic and powerful but nicely balanced and verging on elegant, with inviting dark fruits, spice, dark chocolate, subtle smoke, nice depth and structure; will definitely improve with age but is very rewarding now, though give it time to breathe. (Available at Kosherwine.com, [866] 567-4370, $81.99.)

Dessert:

De La Rosa 613, Ashray Chardonnay, Late Harvest Sweet Wine, Burgenland, Austria,  2015 ($20; mevushal): Sweet, voluptuous and delicious, with lovely honeyed fruits (ripe apples, apricots, quince and pineapple), nice balancing acidity, and an overall refreshing suppleness.  (Available at jwines.com, [800] 269-0604, $19.)