10 Best Hanukkah Wines for Your Celebration

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10 Best Wine Recommendations for the Hanukkah Party

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of light, giving families a time to be together and celebrate. Like any great gathering, food takes center stage with crispy latkes, tender brisket and sweet sufganiyot (a round, jelly-filled doughnut), and the right wines for Hanukkah can make these traditional dishes even better.

What to consider when selecting wine for Hanukkah?

Choosing a Hanukkah wine is about more than personal preference. It’s important to select bottles that honor the traditions of your guests. For kosher observance, look for wines labeled kosher or mevushal. Kosher wines are made under rabbinical supervision, while mevushal wines are flash-pasteurized so they can be handled by anyone and remain fully kosher.

Beyond tradition, think about the menu. Hanukkah dishes tend to be rich and savory, so wines with bright acidity or balanced structure work best. The selections below were chosen with this in mind, as these styles refresh the palate and support the range of flavors in a traditional holiday spread.

Sauvignon Blanc

A zesty Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best white wines for Hanukkah. Its palate-cleansing freshness cuts through the richness of fried latkes and pairs naturally with lighter sides on the table, while delivering intense citrus flavors to your tastebuds.

New Zealand is home to some of the liveliest options, like Split Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2023. Its crisp palate full of lemon-lime and gooseberry notes works beautifully with herb-seasoned appetizers or latkes, the delicious potato pancakes enjoyed during the holiday.

Sauvignon Blanc will also complement applesauce, green vegetables, salads and other lighter dishes common at Hanukkah gatherings.

Dry Riesling

Dry Riesling is one of the most food-friendly wines you can pour during the holidays, thanks to its high acidity and intense, pure-fruit flavors of green apple, citrus and white peach, nuanced by floral notes and minerality. It will bring a refreshing lift to richer Hanukkah dishes like latkes or a glazed brisket, while its versatility makes it a smart choice for guests with a wide range of wine preferences.

Cabernet Sauvignon

For a hearty main course like slow-cooked brisket, a bold Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic choice. Known for its full body, firm tannins and deep flavors of blackcurrant and plum, this style has the richness and structure to stand up to robust holiday dishes.

A standout option is the Gold Edition Raymond Cabernet 2024. With concentrated black fruit, toasty spice and a long, structured finish, it complements the depth of slow-braised brisket or herb-roasted lamb served during Hanukkah gatherings.

The tannins bind beautifully with the meat, softening on the palate while highlighting its tenderness and savory characters. Cabernet also complements roasted root vegetables, mushroom-based dishes and gravies with plenty of herbs.

Merlot

If you prefer a red wine that's a bit softer than Cabernet, Merlot is a wonderful option. With its soft tannins and plush layers of cherry and plum, Merlot is welcoming and easy to pair with a wide range of Hanukkah dishes. Its balanced profile ensures your wine won’t overpower more delicate flavors while still adding warmth and seasonal depth to the meal.

Mirlo Merlot 2024 is a wonderful choice, delivering ripe red-fruit notes on a silky palate. It’s especially suitable for roasted turkey, lighter brisket preparations and vegetable kugels that appear on many Hanukkah menus.

Malbec

Malbec is a full-bodied red wine with bold, dark-fruit flavors and smooth tannins. Depending on where it’s made, Malbec can lean rustic or velvety, but both styles pair well with the savory, hearty winter foods that often anchor Hanukkah celebrations. Though native to France, it has become especially well known through its silkier, fruit-forward expressions from Argentina.

The richness and generous texture of Malbec make it an appealing red for Hanukkah, particularly when serving brisket seasoned with warm spices or roasted meats with caramelized edges. The ripe blackberry, plum and cocoa notes complement these dishes while offering enough freshness to keep each bite satisfying.

A bottle of smooth, black-fruited Alambrado Malbec 2024 from the Zuccardi family pairs deliciously with brisket, roast duck, aged cheeses and other hearty, vegetarian-friendly dishes.

Moscato

Moscato is a highly aromatic, fruity wine known for its sweet, red-fruit flavors. Its luscious notes of peach, apricot, citrus and honeysuckle make it especially enjoyable with lighter desserts or as a gentle contrast to salty snacks.

A lightly sparkling Moscato can offer a festive touch to the Hanukkah table, providing sweetness that pairs beautifully with sufganiyot or fruit-based treats. Its low alcohol and fragrant character make it a welcoming option for guests who prefer softer, sweeter wines alongside the season’s celebratory foods.

Sparkling Rosé

What's a celebration without bubbles? A lively sparkling rosé brings festive energy to any Hanukkah gathering. With crisp acidity and delicate citrusy, red-fruit flavors, it’s a fantastic choice for the first toast of the evening and revitalizes the palate after salty appetizers, cheese boards and more.

Late-Harvest Riesling

Late-Harvest Riesling is made from grapes left on the vine to ripen further, concentrating their sugars and flavors. The result is a wine with deep notes of apricot, lemon and tropical fruit, offering sweetness supported by lively acidity.

This style is a natural fit for Hanukkah desserts. It pairs beautifully with sufganiyot, fruit plates, rugelach and lighter pastries, delivering a satisfying balance of sweetness and freshness. Its vibrant aromatics also make it a flexible option for guests who enjoy dessert wines that are flavorful without feeling heavy.

Chardonnay

Often hailed as the queen of white wines, Chardonnay is a fantastic choice for a holiday feast. An oaked Chardonnay offers a creamy texture with flavors of baked apple, vanilla and butter, making it a perfect match for roasted turkey or chicken.

Its versatility also makes it helpful when selecting wine for Hanukkah, especially if you’re serving a mix of creamy vegetable sides or dairy-based dishes.

Unoaked styles, such as Chablis, offer brighter acidity with notes of green apple and citrus, ideal for guests who prefer a fresher, more mineral-driven profile.

Whether oaked or unoaked, Chardonnay brings a balanced structure that complements both lighter and richer dishes on your table for Hanukkah.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is arguably the most versatile red wine for a holiday meal. Its high levels of acidity, silky tannins and elegant red fruit flavors make it a fantastic partner for a wide range of dishes.

A well-balanced Pinot Noir works beautifully with turkey, duck, mushroom-based sides or herb-seasoned stuffings that are often part of festive gatherings. Its gentle structure ensures it won’t overwhelm delicate flavors, yet it still offers enough depth to hold its own against fuller-flavored dishes, making it a reliable choice for a Hanukkah dinner filled with varied flavors.

10 Best Wine Recommendations for the Hanukkah Party

Discover the best wines for your Hanukkah celebrations, from crisp whites to bold reds and festive sparklers that pair perfectly with latkes, brisket and more.