by Dr. Kenneth Friedman | Dec 30, 2019 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Kosher Decanter
On the eve of New Year’s, we turn our attention to wine that calls to mind jubilance, renewal, excitement, freshness. We think Champagne. Let’s get one thing straight immediately: It’s not “Champagne” if it’s not from Champagne, France. If you really want to irk your... read more
by Dr. Kenneth Friedman | Nov 27, 2019 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Kosher Decanter
Nothing pairs better with family holiday gatherings than copious amounts of wine. For every malady in life, we are taught that God created a solution. Often these solutions have remained hidden. For family angst, God has given us wine. For this, I thank thee! As you... read more
by Dr. Kenneth Friedman | Nov 4, 2019 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Kosher Decanter
Let us return to Israel, as is the innate desire for some of us, and visit Gush Etzion, which lies south of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and north of Hebron. Gush Etzion has played a part in much of Israel’s state and pre-state history, and the area is rich and deep with... read more
by Dr. Kenneth Friedman | Oct 24, 2019 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Kosher Decanter
Being a self-important wine snob comes with many fun evenings, boisterous parties with friends, and the occasional free bottle from importers and winemakers. Still, crowing about how much you know about wine also earns you endless calls and texts from friends... read more
by Dr. Kenneth Friedman | Sep 25, 2019 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Kosher Decanter
For someone who loves Spanish wine so much, it would seem I’ve spent years traversing Spain, sipping wine as the sun sets over the Iberian Peninsula. But alas, I’ve learned to adore the wonderful Tempranillo grape from my humble abode in Pikesville as the sun sets... read more
by Dr. Kenneth Friedman | Aug 30, 2019 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Kosher Decanter
If I put you on the spot and asked you to name the “noble grapes,” you’d probably first ask me what that even means. I would then explain that in recent times, wine experts and their ilk have named certain wine varietals as “noble” due to their “universality” and... read more
by Dr. Kenneth Friedman | Aug 14, 2019 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, Opinion, The Kosher Decanter
In the world of wine, when you hear Argentina, you immediately think Malbec. So much so, that you might assume Malbec is native to Argentina. Rather, Malbec is native to the lesser-famed wine region of southwest France, where it is called Côt or Auxerrois. French... read more
by Dr. Kenneth Friedman | Jul 25, 2019 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Kosher Decanter
I love the Jacques Capsouto story. It’s a story of perseverance, deep love for food, wine and Israel. Jacques Capsouto (Facebook) Born an Egyptian Jew, Jacques moved with his family to France as a teenager, where he grew to love the embedded culture of world-class... read more
by Dr. Kenneth Friedman | Jun 27, 2019 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Kosher Decanter
Vitkin is a new name to the kosher wine scene. Though the Israeli Vitkin Winery has been producing wines since 2001, the first kosher vintage was in 2015, and I am happy the good people at Vitkin made this momentous decision. The producers include founders, Doron... read more
by Dr. Kenneth Friedman | Jun 13, 2019 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Kosher Decanter
Did you think man could exist on wine alone? Well, the answer is: Yes! Still, variety is the spice of life, or so they say, and my beverage glass is no exception. I like to add beer to the mix every now and then. The notorious hot ‘n’ sticky Charm City summer months... read more
Read the latest views and thoughts from Jmore Publisher Scott Rifkin, MD 