Another way to honor Jewish heritage at the feast is by selecting an Israeli wine. While vineyards have existed in the region since biblical times, Israel's wine industry has modernized and expanded in recent decades, to much positive buzz.
"They're turning out a quality product; these wines have moved beyond Manischewitz," said David Weinstein, owner of Rye Deli. "We have an excellent Israeli pinot noir on our menu that would be perfect with turkey."
While the country's exports are expanding, Israeli wines are less prevalent in the Midwest than on the coasts. Byerly's Wine and Spirits in St. Louis Park stocks about 80 varieties; manager Nikki Erpelding said that's the best selection in the five-state area. Prices range from $10 to $40.
To accompany turkey and latkes, Erpelding recommends the Golan moscato, a semisweet white produced by the Golan Heights Winery, named the 2012 New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine. It sells for around $15.
"It's an excellent special-occasion wine," she said. "But it's so good, I could drink it every day!"
KEVYN BURGER
