The Pairing Edit
Passover Pairing Table
What to pour with Passover favorites.
ByDovid Riven
From the first spoonful of matzah ball soup to the last bite of something sweet, Dovid Riven’s pairing table follows the flavors of a familiar Pesach meal. Explore seven dishes, fourteen wines and the simple ideas that bring them together.
From the WJJ print archive · March 2026 Pesach edition. Wine selections and tasting notes reflect the original feature.
Passover tables are filled with foods we know well. The dishes we remember from bubby’s Seder table that feel like part of the holiday itself. This pairing table is meant to meet you right there. Nothing complicated, just thoughtful wine pairings for the traditional foods many of us are looking forward to enjoying.
Think of this as a starting point, not a rulebook. These are expert-guided suggestions designed to help you enjoy wine alongside your Passover meals. If you do not have these exact bottles already waiting in your box, that’s perfectly fine. Use this as a guide to find wines that will work well with your favorite dishes. Along the way, we have added a few simple insights to help you recognize why certain wines work, so you can confidently explore other pairings on your own.
Spring is in the air and the holiday is here. There is good food on the table, wine in the glass, and time to enjoy it all. Have fun with it, trust your palate, and let this be the beginning of a relaxed pairing journey that elevates your wine drinking experience and brings those familiar dishes to life.
Passover pairing
Matzah Ball Soup
Shiloh Chenin Blanc
Crisp acidity cuts through the richness of broth, complements delicate matzah balls. Chenin Blanc is known for its bright acidity and versatility with creamy or savory dishes.
Barkan Classic Sauvignon Blanc
Light, aromatic, and refreshing, enhancing herbs and vegetables in the soup. Sauvignon Blanc’s herbaceous notes mirror the green flavors in the soup.
Passover pairing
Roasted Chicken with Potatoes
Shiran Unoaked Chardonnay
The roundness and subtle creaminess from sur lie aging complements roasted chicken without overpowering it. Unoaked Chardonnay highlights fresh fruit and minerality, perfect for gentle roast flavors.
Psagot Viognier
Aromatic, slightly richer, highlights roasted flavors and pairs beautifully with root vegetables like potatoes. Viognier’s floral aromatics and richness bring depth to roasted dishes.
Passover pairing
Brisket
Galia by Zahav Grenache
Soft tannins, juicy red fruit, and a medium body work beautifully with slow-cooked, rich beef. Grenache’s fruit-forward profile balances slow-braised flavors without overwhelming the meat.
Eola Hills Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Elegant, subtle red fruits complement the savory, rich meat. Pinot Noir’s gentle tannins and bright acidity refresh the palate between bites.
Passover pairing
Roasted Lamb
Mia Luce Winery Syrah & Stems
Pepper, dark fruits, and moderate tannins complement the richness and earthy flavors of lamb. Syrah’s spice and dark fruit intensity echo lamb’s savory, herbaceous notes.
Hagafen Napa Valley Cabernet Franc
Medium-bodied, structured reds that balance roasted lamb and herbs. Cabernet Franc’s structure and red fruit provide both depth and freshness.
Passover pairing
Potato Kugel
Baron Herzog Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp, herbaceous, and clean, balances the starchy, savory nature of kugel. Sauvignon Blanc’s bright acidity and herbal notes make it ideal for potato-based dishes.
Casa De Cielo Chardonnay
Mild fruit and gentle body complement roasted or baked potatoes without overshadowing them. An unoaked Chardonnay highlights the dish without adding heaviness.
Passover pairing
Macaroons
Yaacov Oryah Alpha Omega Late Harvest Viognier
Coconut and nutty flavors harmonize beautifully with aromatic sweetness. Late Harvest Viognier’s lush aromatics are a natural match for nutty desserts.
Carmel Single Vineyard Late Harvest Gewurztraminer
Spice and floral notes play well with coconut and almond textures. Gewurztraminer’s exotic aromatics highlight sweet, nut-forward pastries.
Passover pairing
Pavlova
Teperberg Impression Late Harvest Riesling
Bright acidity and natural sweetness complement meringue, cream, and fresh fruit. Late Harvest Riesling balances sweetness with crispness, making it ideal for airy desserts.
La Maison Bleue Blanc de Blanc, Demi Sec
Lightly sweet, crisp, and aromatic, with fine bubbles that refresh the palate and highlight the dessert’s airy texture and fruit toppings. Demi Sec sparkling wines offer gentle effervescence and subtle sweetness that enhance meringue desserts.
About the author
Dovid Riven
Kosher wine merchant · KosherWine.com
Dovid Riven is a kosher wine merchant and the president of KosherWine.com. His work helps wine drinkers discover bottles that suit their tastes and their tables. In Washington Jewish Journal, he brings an approachable, food-first perspective to kosher wine, explaining how acidity, body, fruit and sweetness can complement familiar Jewish holiday dishes.
Continue at the Passover table
About the contributors
Dovid Riven
Dovid Riven is a kosher wine merchant and the president of KosherWine.com. In Washington Jewish Journal, he brings an approachable, food-first perspective to kosher wine, explaining how acidity, body, fruit and sweetness can complement familiar Jewish holiday dishes.
More by and about Dovid Riven
