An increasing number of Italian wine producers are making kosher wine, including the famed vineyard of Feudi di San Gregorio in the southern region of Campania.
A report on the WineNews website revealed that the vineyard is producing some white Fiano d'Avellino and some red Aglianico wine according to Jewish dietary laws.
''In order to respect Jewish law, it is necessary for only observers of the Jewish faith to come into direct contact with the wine. Therefore we have two Jewish employees who actually make the wine while the rest of our staff offer their advice,'' said Alesandro Calmieri of Feudi di San Gregorio.
''Kosher wine is a product which has found a market even in Italy, above all in Milan and Rome,'' said Mose' Silvera, an importer and distributor of kosher wines from Israel.
While in Milan the demand for kosher wines is focused on diversity, he added, ''Rome is more attentive to price''.
''At present there are about a dozen producers in Italy who are making kosher wines. Giordano is the biggest, producing two million bottles a year, all of which is destined for the markets in the United states and Canada.
Jewish law also dictates that no yeasts made from animals can be used in making kosher wine and vineyards must rest every seven years.
