Kesser Concord Grape

Kesser Concord Grape is a sweet kosher wine made from 100% New York Concord grapes, bottled at 7% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by the Joseph Zakon Winery on Long Island, this wine takes its name from the Hebrew word for "crown" — a term rooted in Kabbalistic tradition representing the highest attribute of spiritual leadership. That religious intentionality carries through every aspect of its production, as the wine is specifically crafted for Kiddush, the Jewish sanctification blessing recited over wine.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7%  |  Origin: Long Island, New York, USA  |  Varietal: 100% Concord Grape  |  Producer: Joseph Zakon Winery (est. 1981)

Production & Heritage

Joseph Zakon Winery was established in 1981 on Long Island, New York, with a focus on producing kosher wines for Jewish religious observance and celebration. Kesser Concord Grape is made exclusively from carefully selected New York-grown Concord grapes, a native American grape variety prized for its intensely fruity, unmistakable flavor. The low 7% ABV reflects a winemaking approach that prioritizes approachable sweetness and drinkability over complexity, making it well-suited for ceremonial use where the wine itself serves a ritual purpose alongside its role as a beverage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with an immediate rush of ripe Concord grape — that familiar, deeply fruity fragrance reminiscent of grape preserves and fresh-picked clusters. Beneath the primary fruit sits a subtle floral sweetness that reinforces the wine's unabashedly sweet character.

Taste: On the palate, bright jammy fruit arrives right at entry, coating the tongue with luscious grape flavor. The mid-palate is smooth and velvety, with the natural sweetness of Concord grapes dominating without becoming cloying, aided by the moderate alcohol level. There is minimal tannic structure, keeping the wine soft and easy to drink.

Finish: The finish is short to medium in length, clean, and grapey, with residual sweetness that lingers gently. A final note of candied fruit fades without bitterness or heat.

How to Drink Kesser Concord Grape

This wine is traditionally served chilled for Kiddush and other Jewish religious occasions, where its sweetness and low alcohol make it ceremonially and practically appropriate for communal consumption. It also works well simply as a chilled dessert wine or sweet sipper on its own. For a Wine Spritzer, combine with sparkling water and ice to lighten the sweetness into a refreshing warm-weather drink. In a Sangria, its intense grape flavor provides a bold, fruity base that pairs naturally with sliced citrus and seasonal fruit. A Concord Grape Mulled Wine during colder months allows the jammy character to meld beautifully with cinnamon, clove, and orange peel.

Best For

• Shabbat Kiddush and Jewish holiday observance
• Passover Seder wine service
• Introducing non-wine drinkers to a sweet, approachable style
• Nostalgic occasions where classic Concord grape flavor is desired

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kesser Concord Grape taste like? Kesser Concord Grape tastes like ripe, jammy Concord grapes with a pronounced natural sweetness and a smooth, velvety texture. It is a straightforward, fruit-forward sweet wine with low alcohol and no noticeable tannins.

How does Kesser Concord Grape compare to Manischewitz Concord Grape? Both are sweet kosher wines made from Concord grapes and widely used for Kiddush, but they come from different producers — Kesser is made by Joseph Zakon Winery on Long Island, while Manischewitz is a much larger, nationally distributed brand. Kesser positions itself with a more spiritually intentional identity, with its name meaning "crown" in Hebrew and its wines specifically styled for sanctification purposes.

Is Kesser Concord Grape good for Kiddush? Yes — this wine is specifically produced for Kiddush and other Jewish ceremonial uses, and its sweet flavor profile and low 7% ABV make it appropriate for communal religious settings where many participants share the wine.

Where is Kesser Concord Grape made? Kesser Concord Grape is produced by the Joseph Zakon Winery, located on Long Island, New York. The winery was established in 1981 and uses New York-grown Concord grapes.

What foods pair well with Kesser Concord Grape? Challah bread complements the wine's sweetness during Shabbat meals. Peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches may seem playful, but the pairing echoes the wine's classic grape-jam character. Mild soft cheeses like cream cheese or brie balance the sugar. Fresh fruit platters — especially berries and stone fruit — harmonize with the grapey profile. Honey cake or sponge cake served at Rosh Hashanah provides a fitting dessert match.

What sizes does Kesser Concord Grape come in? Kesser Concord Grape is available in the standard 750ml bottle size and may also be found in 1.5-liter formats depending on the expression and market availability.

Is Kesser Concord Grape worth the price? Kesser Concord Grape is positioned as an affordable, entry-level kosher sweet wine, and it delivers exactly what its category promises — authentic Concord grape flavor in a certified kosher format designed for religious and everyday use, representing solid value within its niche.

Why Kesser Concord Grape?

What distinguishes Kesser from generic sweet grape wines is its deliberate orientation toward Jewish spiritual practice. The name itself — Hebrew for "crown" — references the highest of the ten Sefirot in Kabbalistic thought, signaling that this wine was conceived with ritual purpose, not as an afterthought for the kosher aisle. Produced by Joseph Zakon Winery since 1981, it comes from one of New York's dedicated kosher wine producers using locally grown Concord grapes. For those who observe Shabbat, keep kosher, or simply enjoy the nostalgic sweetness of a well-made Concord grape wine, Kesser fills its role with authenticity and consistency.