Manischewitz Concord

Manischewitz Concord is a sweet kosher wine made from Concord grapes, bottled at 11% ABV in a 750ml format. What distinguishes this iconic American wine is its singular production schedule: the entire year's supply is produced during a single week at the winery in Canandaigua, New York, a practice rooted in strict kosher winemaking requirements.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11%  |  Origin: New York, USA  |  Style: Sweet Concord Grape Wine  |  Producer: Manischewitz (OU Kosher Supervision)

Production & Heritage

Manischewitz has become virtually synonymous with kosher wine in America, occupying a cultural position that extends well beyond the Passover table. The Concord expression is fermented at 60 degrees Fahrenheit in stainless steel tanks, a controlled process that preserves the aromatic intensity of the Concord grape. Perhaps the most remarkable production detail: all Manischewitz wine for the entire calendar year is crushed and fermented during one compressed week at the Canandaigua, New York facility. This stems from kosher requirements dictating that all winery equipment must be made kosher before production begins, and no other brands may use the equipment until every last Concord grape has been processed. The wine must contain a minimum of 51% Concord grape.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose is unmistakably Concord — fresh grape skin, ripe blueberry, and a candied sweetness that recalls grape preserves. There is little subtlety here; the aromatics are bold, direct, and immediately recognizable.

Taste: The entry is generously sweet with a full, rounded mouthfeel. Mid-palate brings layers of blueberry jam, grape jelly, and candied strawberry, with darker blackberry notes emerging underneath. The sweetness is substantial but carries enough fruit acidity to keep the wine from feeling cloying.

Finish: The finish is moderate in length with lingering Concord grape flavor and a soft, slightly tart close. A residual berry sweetness persists, leaving a clean grape-skin impression.

How to Drink Manischewitz Concord

Serve well chilled, ideally between 45–50°F, to let the acidity balance the sweetness. Many traditionalists drink it straight during Seder or Shabbat meals, but it also works surprisingly well in mixed drinks. A Concord Sangria — with sliced apples, oranges, and a splash of sparkling water — plays to the wine's natural fruit intensity. A Wine Spritzer made with equal parts Manischewitz and club soda creates a lighter, more refreshing warm-weather drink. For a dessert cocktail, a Concord Float poured over vanilla ice cream leans into the grape-soda character and makes an unconventional but crowd-pleasing treat.

Best For

• Passover Seder and Shabbat observance where kosher certification is essential
• Introducing sweet wine drinkers to traditional Concord grape flavors
• Nostalgic gatherings and holiday meals rooted in Jewish-American tradition
• Pairing with rich desserts or fruit-forward cheese plates

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Manischewitz Concord taste like? Manischewitz Concord is a decidedly sweet wine with prominent flavors of grape jelly, blueberry jam, candied strawberry, and blackberry. It has a light body, generous mouthfeel, and a fresh Concord grape character throughout.

How does Manischewitz Concord compare to Mogen David Concord? Manischewitz and Mogen David are the two dominant names in kosher Concord wine — both are sweet, red, and made from Concord grapes. Manischewitz tends to be perceived as slightly sweeter with a more pronounced grape-jelly profile, while Mogen David leans marginally more tart, though both occupy the same general flavor territory.

Is Manischewitz Concord good for sipping on its own? Yes, particularly when served well chilled, which tempers the sweetness and brings forward the natural grape acidity. It is best suited for drinkers who enjoy overtly sweet wines rather than dry wine enthusiasts.

Where is Manischewitz Concord made? Manischewitz Concord is produced in Canandaigua, New York, in the Finger Lakes region. The entire year's production takes place during a single week under strict Orthodox Union (OU) kosher supervision.

What foods pair well with Manischewitz Concord? Traditional brisket benefits from the wine's sweetness cutting through the rich, savory meat. Matzo ball soup pairs well as the grape sweetness contrasts the brothy warmth. Chocolate cake and berry-based desserts echo the wine's fruit character. Sharp cheeses like aged cheddar create a classic sweet-savory contrast. Peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches — while unconventional — mirror the wine's core flavor profile in an unexpectedly harmonious way.

What sizes does Manischewitz Concord come in? Manischewitz Concord is most commonly available in 750ml bottles, with 1.5L bottles also widely distributed.

Is Manischewitz Concord worth the price? Manischewitz Concord positions firmly as a value-tier wine, typically among the most affordable kosher wines available. For its intended purpose — holiday observance, casual sweet-wine enjoyment, and cultural tradition — it delivers exactly what it promises at a very accessible price point.

Why Manischewitz Concord?

No wine in America carries quite the same cultural weight as Manischewitz Concord. Its one-week-per-year production schedule is unlike anything else in the domestic wine industry, a logistical feat driven entirely by the demands of kosher law. The flavor profile is unapologetically sweet and grape-forward — this is not a wine trying to be something it isn't. For millions of families, it is the taste of tradition itself, and its enduring presence on holiday tables across generations speaks to a significance that transcends conventional wine criticism.