As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can confidently say that kosher wine does not have less alcohol compared to non-kosher wines. The misconception that kosher wines have lower alcohol content is simply not true. The alcohol content of a wine is determined by the fermentation process, which is the same for kosher and non-kosher wines alike.
Kosher wine, just like any other wine, is made by fermenting grape juice. During fermentation, yeast converts the sugars in the grape juice into alcohol, resulting in the desired alcohol content for the wine. The alcohol content can vary depending on various factors such as grape variety, growing conditions, winemaking techniques, and the winemaker's intention.
The notion that kosher wines are lower in alcohol might stem from the popularity of sweet kosher wines, such as the Manischewitz brand made from Concord grapes. These sweet wines tend to have lower alcohol levels, but it is important to note that this is a stylistic choice rather than a requirement of kosher winemaking. There are plenty of dry kosher wines available that have similar alcohol levels to their non-kosher counterparts.
It is also worth mentioning that the process of making a wine kosher has no impact on its alcohol content. The kosher certification process focuses on ensuring that the wine is produced in accordance with Jewish dietary laws and does not involve altering the alcohol content. Kosher certification involves strict guidelines and oversight to ensure that the winemaking process adheres to kosher requirements, but it has no bearing on the alcohol content.
In my experience, I have tasted a wide variety of kosher wines from different regions and grape varieties, and their alcohol levels have been comparable to non-kosher wines. The misconception that kosher wines have less alcohol is a generalization that does not hold true when considering the vast array of kosher wines available on the market.
The alcohol content of kosher wine is not inherently different from non-kosher wine. The perception that kosher wines have less alcohol is a misnomer that may have been fueled by the popularity of certain sweet kosher wines. It is essential to recognize that the quality of a wine, whether kosher or not, is not determined by its kosher status but rather by factors such as grape quality, winemaking techniques, and the skill of the winemaker.