The Manischewitz company is a U.S. based maker of Kosher foods and beverages. While they make many different types of products, they are best known for Manischewitz wine.

Almost all types of wine come from a family of grapes called Vitis vinifera, but Manischewitz wine is made with Concord grapes which actually come from Vitis labrusca. Many wine makers and drinkers consider the concord grape inferior and although they are used often in juice and jams, many people consider them unsuitable for use in making wine. But fans of Manischewitz wine most certainly disagree.

However, even they would have to agree that Manischewitz wine is an acquired taste. Kosher wines in general are much sweeter than other wines, and Manischewitz is perhaps the sweetest of all. They actually have to add sugar or corn syrup to it after the fermentation process is complete otherwise it would be too bitter to drink.

Manischewitz wine is certified Kosher by The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. They meet the strictest standards and every step of the production process is monitored by Rabbis.

Is Manischewitz wine Kosher for Passover? Yes and no. Most of the year they are made with corn syrup to produce Kosher products. But during the Passover season they are made with pure cane sugar. These bottles are made with a special label that indicates “Kosher for Passover”.

While there are plenty other Kosher wineries in the US, Manischewitz is by far the largest and most well know producer. The combination of high quality and low price make Manischewitz wine extremely popular.