The Jewish holiday of Passover is known for its strict dietary rules. During the week-long festivity, observant families avoid leavened foods, like bread and cake, and eat meals that are limited to ingredients designated kosher for Passover. But another big part of the Passover celebration is wine. Wine plays a central role in the two ceremonial dinners that kick off Passover, known as seders. During each seder, which involves a ritual retelling of the Israelites’ escape from Egypt, there are designated points in which participants are instructed to drink. In all, four glasses of wine are meant to be consumed. Though some merely sip a portion of the wine, many still take part in the full four-cup celebration. So, it’s important to find wines that are drinkable, enjoyable and pair with the celebratory meal. But, for families that follow the traditional customs, the wines served will also have to be designated kosher for Passover. Whether you’re a Passover pro or were invited to your first seder, we break down the distinctions to keep in mind and which bottles to break out for dinner. In the Shop Elevate your hosting skills with our premium selection of personalized cheese boards, hand-crafted platters and other serving accessories. Shop Now The Difference Between Kosher and Kosher-for-Passover Wines When we speak of a food or beverage being kosher, it means that it follows specific, necessary parameters set by a respected religious authority. There are many different rules surrounding kosher foods and drinks that observing Jewish people follow year-round. This may include avoiding certain foods altogether (pork and shellfish cannot be eaten), not mixing certain ingredients (dairy and meat products cannot be eaten together) or following a specific method of production and preparation. Foods that follow these strict rules are indicated by a symbol on food products. This also holds true for wine and spirits. However, there’s a separate certification that exists just for those foods or beverages that are also kosher for Passover. An item can be kosher all year and not be kosher for that one week—and that is where the confusion comes in. What Makes a Wine Kosher for Passover? A wine that is kosher for Passover will be made without grain products or leavening agents, such as any yeast that's not kosher for Passover. Also, a kosher supervisor will oversee the ingredients, process and equipment used to ensure they meet a certain standard. “What keeps any kosher wine kosher for Passover is simply this: Any additives—such as yeast or ML[malolactic cultures]—would need to be certified kosher for Passover,” says Jeff Morgan, founding winemaker of Covenant Winery. “Yeast [for wine] are inherently kosher for Passover, but if they were processed in a place where non-kosher ingredients were also processed, it could be a problem.” In short: Any kosher wine will have to follow all kosher dietary laws and supervision, but kosher-for-Passover wines do this at a higher level and incorporate the grain and leavening restriction that is a hallmark of the holiday. How to Tell if Wine Is Kosher for Passover No one wants to bring the wrong wine as a guest to a Passover seder. Any kosher-for-Passover wine will have a "P" symbol or "Kosher for Passover" next to the kosher certification on the label. The Best Kosher for Passover Wines to Buy FAQs Why Are There Four Cups of Wine at Passover? Aside from the truth that a few glasses of wine make an extended family dinner a lot easier to digest, there’s actually a reason for this tradition. Wine is symbolic of freedom, and the four cups of wine are representative of the four phrases used in the Bible to describe God leading the Jews out of slavery. The number four also has a recurring theme within the holiday. What Is the Symbolism of Wine on Passover? Quite simply, freedom and redemption. But as an added benefit, the wine pairs beautifully with so many Passover foods, from a crisp white with matzo ball soup to a heartier red with brisket. Is Kosher for Passover Wine Hard to Find? Actually, it’s rather easy! Most kosher wine is also kosher for Passover, making it easier to sell this wine (and for consumers to stock up on bottles) year-round. But that’s not the case with some spirits. For example, you’ll be unlikely to find kosher-for-Passover whiskey, as whiskey is made with grain. From the Shop Find Your Wine a Home Our selection of red wine glasses is the best way to enjoy the wine’s subtle aromas and bright flavors. Shop All Wine Glasses