Hanukkah Wine Guide: Perfect Pairs for Your Feast

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C., following the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek ruler Antiochus. The Hanukkah miracle, where a day's worth of olive oil lasted for eight days, is commemorated by lighting a menorah and indulging in fried foods.

Latkes and sufganiyot are two of the most popular foods for Hanukkah. Latkes, most often made from potatoes, are shaped into pancakes and fried in copious amounts of oil, then often topped with sour cream or applesauce. Sufganiyot are pillowy, yeast-based donuts that are fried deep in oil and then filled with any variety of fillings. The consumption of foods cooked in oil harks back to the miracle of the oil in the Hanukkah story.

Potato latkes, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, are a Hanukkah staple. They are usually enjoyed with applesauce or sour cream and topped with smoked salmon for a luxurious spin.

A bottle of sparkling wine, such as Festa D' Estate Prosecco, is a great choice to pair with this fried dish. The Prosecco's light, effervescent character and high acidity cut through latkes' rich, oily texture, cleansing your palate for the next bite. Its bubbly texture mirrors the crispiness of fried food, creating a delightful match.

If you prefer white wine, consider a Sauvignon Blanc. Its crisp acidity and light, fruity flavor complement the savory taste of latkes, balancing the rich flavors.

Sufganiyot, the delightful round jelly doughnuts that are a Hanukkah favorite, are traditionally filled with jam or custard. They're also lightly coated in powdered sugar. With the right wine, these treats can find a new dimension of flavor.

Ice wines, known for their rich sweetness and concentrated flavors, can beautifully complement the sugary richness of Sufganiyot. The natural sweetness and the fruit-forward profile of an ice wine, often presenting notes of tropical fruits, peach, or honey, can harmonize with the jam filling and the soft, sweet dough of the doughnuts. This pairing creates a luxurious and indulgent dessert experience, perfect for the festive Hanukkah season.

Beef brisket, a staple of Jewish cuisine, is enjoyed from Passover to Hanukkah. The traditional Jewish version of the brisket, unlike its BBQ counterpart, has a milder flavor, opening up a more comprehensive range of potential wine pairings.

A rich Cabernet Sauvignon like Yaffo Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 , with its vibrant black fruit flavors and herbal notes, acts like a sauce for the brisket, creating an exciting combination of fruity and meaty flavors. The hints of vanilla and appealing spice characteristics add to the complexity of the pairing.