Wine and Grape Products - Kosher.com (2024)

Grapes themselves have no special kosher considerations, but wine, grape juice, and other grape products are some of the most highly kosher-sensitive.

All grape juice, grape wines or brandies must be prepared under strict Orthodox rabbinic supervision and may not be handled by non-Jews. However, once a kosher wine has been cooked, no restrictions are attached to its handling. Such products are generally labeled “mevushal” (cooked). (Read more on Jewish involvement in kosher food preparation.)

Wine and Grape Products - Kosher.com (1)

Other Grape Products that Require Extra Supervision

  • Grape jam (produced from grape pulp), as well as all other varieties of jam and jelly, require supervision because they may be processed on non-kosher equipment and may contain non-kosher additives.
  • Grape jelly is produced from grape juice and can be used only when produced from kosher grape juice under proper supervision.
  • Natural and artificial grape flavors may not be used unless they are kosher endorsed. Many grape flavors contain natural grape extracts and are labeled artificial or imitation because other flavoring additives are used in the formula.
  • Fruit juices require supervision because they are often adulterated with grape juice.
  • Liqueurs require supervision because of the flavorings used in these products. In addition, the alcohol base may be wine derived.
Adapted with permission from our partner OU Kosher.Original
Wine and Grape Products - Kosher.com (2024)

FAQs

Is grape wine kosher? ›

Intrinsically, wine needs to be made with only kosher ingredients. Grapes, of course, are always kosher in their natural state, but as with all kosher law, production is complicated and any finings or additives must be kosher, and in almost all cases, kosher for Passover.

Can Jews eat grapes? ›

Grapes themselves have no special kosher considerations, but wine, grape juice, and other grape products are some of the most highly kosher-sensitive. All grape juice, grape wines or brandies must be prepared under strict Orthodox rabbinic supervision and may not be handled by non-Jews.

Do Jews drink wine or grape juice? ›

Almost all Jewish holidays, especially the Passover Seder where all present drink four cups of wine, on Purim for the festive meal, and on the Shabbat require obligatory blessings (Kiddush) over filled cups of kosher wine that are then drunk. Grape juice is also suitable on these occasions.

How do I know if a wine is kosher? ›

Kosher items come with a label displaying a U nestled inside a circle. Some wines might even have a P, which The Washington Post says is a sign that wine won't contain any potential extras like yeast and fining agents, which, if not kosher, are also frowned upon and cannot be consumed during Passover (via Decanter).

Why is grapes not kosher? ›

Grapes are inherently kosher, but the rabbis of the first centuries of the first millennium wanted their religion to avoid any resemblance to cults whose followers would pour wine on the ground as an offering to idols.

Can Jews drink kosher wine? ›

According to the kashruth, the portion of Jewish law regulating the consumption of food and drink, wine is kosher— and thus acceptable to observant Jews—only if it is produced under regulated conditions by kosher wineries.

Can Jews eat almonds? ›

Dried fruits, figs, apricots, prunes, and raisins are incorporated in many dishes. Also almonds, walnuts, and olives are used in many dishes, Turkish Jewish cooking includes kebas, pilafs, and stuffed vegetables.

What fruits are not kosher? ›

All unprocessed fruits and vegetables are kosher.

Insects are not kosher so foods prone to insect infestation such as cauliflower must be carefully examined.

Can Jews eat rice and beans? ›

The ban has been in place since the 13th century, but it's always been controversial. In fairly recent history, it's been overturned. According to NPR, in December of 2015 an international group of conservative rabbis made the decision that it's acceptable to eat rice, beans, and corn during Passover.

What kind of wine did Jesus drink? ›

For all these reasons, and according to some experts on the subject, the wine that Jesus drank at the Last Supper, during the Passover period, would be, with a certain margin of error, "a dense, full-bodied wine, with a short ageing period, with an alcohol content of around 14 degrees, from grapes related to what is ...

Are Jews allowed to get tattoos? ›

But the edict isn't true. The eight rabbinical scholars interviewed for this article, from institutions like the Jewish Theological Seminary and Yeshiva University, said it's an urban legend, most likely started because a specific cemetery had a policy against tattoos.

Is Welch's grape juice kosher? ›

Welch's Grape Juice with a K is not an Orthodox supervision and should not be considered Kosher.

Is A Pinot Noir a kosher wine? ›

What Makes Pinot Noir Kosher? Renowned for its freshness and lightness, Pinot Noir is versatile in food pairings, complementing dishes ranging from salmon to roasted meats. The kosher variant retains these attributes while adhering to strict kosher laws during production.

Can you drink alcohol if you're kosher? ›

Domestic, German, English, European, and Canadian beers and ales are acceptable. All flavored beers, malternatives, hard beers, coolers, and extreme beers require reliable kosher certification. Gin is acceptable. Domestic vodka produced from 100% neutral grain spirits is acceptable.

Can Muslims have kosher wine? ›

Islam prohibits all intoxicating alcohols, liquors, wines and drugs. kashrut regards their wines kosher. Hence food items and drinks showing the kosher symbol containing alcohol are not halal. Gelatin is considered Kosher by many Jews regardless of its source of origin.

Is grape alcohol kosher? ›

In order to bear the official symbol (a tiny “U” inside of an “O”), a spirit must be made from grain or sugar. It can't be produced from grapes and can't be aged in a non-kosher wine barrel (there are separate rules for making kosher wine and grape-based brandy).

What type of wine is kosher? ›

A red blend is just the pick. Dan's Kosher recommendation is Herzog Lineage Choreograph Red Blend. This blend is created from 12 grape varietals, co-fermented to create a wine boasting with black raspberry, espresso and nutmeg flavors.

Is grape flavor kosher? ›

Grape Ingredients In Processed Foods: All liquids produced from fresh or dried grapes, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic, such as grape juice and wine vinegar, are in the same category as wine in Jewish Law. Therefore, foods with grape flavoring or additives must always have a reliable hechsher.

Is Welch's grape kosher? ›

Welch's Grape Juice with a K is not an Orthodox supervision and should not be considered Kosher.

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