No less important is the knowledge that the kosher consumer must have today regarding the kosher status of the many hundreds of available alcoholic beverages on the market. As with most edible products on the market, alcoholic beverages can have their share of headaches for the kosher consumer. For instance, vermouth, sangria, champagne, sherry brandy and cognac, as well as some liqueurs and cordials, all require supervision because they are wine-based or may contain wine as an ingredient. Needless to say, all wines must have careful supervision. These concerns extend to grape juice and vinegar as well.
Wines There are few edibles which have the particular status of a truly social food.
It is small wonder, then, that the Torah consistently makes reference to the importance of wine and that the Talmudic rabbis saw fit to establish a special law with regard to wine. Needless to say, the vast majority of wines on the market today are unfit for consumption by observant Jews. Strict kashrus supervision is required throughout all stages of the wine-manufacturing process until final bottling. An interesting prohibition concerning wines relates to the status of boiled wine. Kosher wine that has been cooked before any contact with a non-Jew is exempted from the injunction.