Manischewitz Cherry

Manischewitz Cherry is a sweet fruit wine made from cherry concentrate, bottled at 11% ABV in a 750ml format. Unlike most wines on the shelf, this is a true fruit wine rather than a grape wine, fermented entirely from cherry concentrate in stainless steel tanks in Canandaigua, New York.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11%  |  Origin: Canandaigua, New York, USA  |  Style: Sweet Fruit Wine  |  Producer: Manischewitz

Production & Heritage

Manischewitz has been one of the most recognized names in American kosher wine since the mid-20th century, known primarily for its sweet Concord Grape wine. The Cherry expression departs from the grape-based lineup entirely, relying on cherry concentrate as its sole fruit base. Fermentation takes place at a controlled 65 degrees Fahrenheit in stainless steel tanks, preserving the bright, fresh character of the cherry fruit while maintaining a full-bodied sweetness. Because it is classified as a fruit wine rather than a grape wine, it occupies a distinct category — a distinction that also carries significance in Jewish dietary law, where fruit wines require a different Hebrew blessing than grape wines.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe red cherries and a warm, almond-like undertone. There is an unmistakable resemblance to freshly baked cherry pie straight from the oven.

Taste: On the palate, the entry is immediately sweet and fruit-forward, with concentrated cherry flavor that dominates from start to finish. A thread of crisp acidity emerges at mid-palate, keeping the sweetness from becoming cloying and lending the wine a sense of balance despite its sugar content.

Finish: The finish is medium in length with lingering notes of ripe cherry and a faint almond warmth. The acidity carries through to the close, leaving a surprisingly clean impression for a wine this sweet.

How to Drink Manischewitz Cherry

Serve well-chilled, ideally between 40–45°F, to let the acidity shine and keep the sweetness refreshing. It also works over ice on warm days.

• Wine Spritzer: Top with sparkling water and a squeeze of lime — the carbonation lifts the dense cherry flavor into something bright and sessionable.
• Sangria: Use as a fruit-wine base with sliced stone fruits, citrus, and a splash of brandy — the concentrated cherry sweetness anchors the punch bowl.
• Kir Royale Variation: Float a measure over dry sparkling wine in place of traditional crème de cassis for a cherry-forward twist on the classic.

Best For

• Passover Seder tables and other Jewish holiday celebrations
• Introducing non-wine-drinkers to fruit wines in a low-ABV format
• Summer entertaining where sweet, chilled beverages are welcome
• Dessert pairings at casual dinner gatherings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Manischewitz Cherry taste like? It is a distinctly sweet wine dominated by ripe red cherry flavor, with baked-pie aromatics and a balancing streak of crisp acidity that prevents the sweetness from feeling heavy.

How does Manischewitz Cherry compare to Manischewitz Blackberry? Both are sweet fruit wines produced by the same maker using similar methods, but Cherry leans into a warmer, pie-spice-adjacent profile while Blackberry tends toward a darker, more tart berry character. The two share comparable sweetness levels and the same 11% ABV.

Is Manischewitz Cherry good for beginners? Its pronounced sweetness and familiar cherry flavor make it one of the most approachable wines available, well suited for those who find dry wines off-putting or who are exploring wine for the first time.

Where is Manischewitz Cherry made? It is produced in Canandaigua, New York, in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, where Manischewitz wines have been produced for decades.

What foods pair well with Manischewitz Cherry? Chocolate desserts work well, as the cherry and cocoa flavors complement each other naturally. Vanilla cheesecake mirrors the wine's richness. Brisket with a fruit glaze picks up on the cherry sweetness. Almond cookies echo the wine's subtle nutty undertone. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the sugar.

What sizes does Manischewitz Cherry come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Manischewitz Cherry worth the price? Manischewitz Cherry sits firmly in the value tier of American fruit wines, positioned as one of the most affordable sweet wines on the market, making it an accessible option for holiday tables and casual entertaining alike.

Why Manischewitz Cherry?

What sets this wine apart from the broader Manischewitz lineup is its identity as a genuine fruit wine — not a flavored grape wine, but a product fermented entirely from cherry concentrate. That distinction matters both in terms of flavor profile and in its role at the kosher table, where it carries a different blessing than its grape-based siblings. The controlled low-temperature fermentation in stainless steel preserves a fresh, vivid cherry character that has earned strong consumer loyalty over many years. For anyone seeking an unabashedly sweet, fruit-driven wine at an entry-level price point, few bottles in the category are as widely recognized or as consistently delivered.