Love And Wine

For Rebecca and Leon Zinger The Jewish Week’s Grand Wine Tasting at City Winery is the perfect place to toast their anniversary.

That’s because the couple (inset at top right) met at the second annual wine-tasting event two years ago, marrying in time for the third one.

“We met literally six feet away from this spot,” said Rebecca, 32, a social worker for DOROT, at the event on Sunday, which attracted some 450 people. “I came with friends who dragged me, and he came because he likes wine.

“He started telling me the history behind the wine he was tasting,” said Rebecca. “He was very eloquent and charming and adorable.”

“That one glass of wine changed everything,” said Leon, 29, a software developer for About.com.

With 18 wine vendors and half a dozen kosher food companies, participants had 210 kosher wines – and a fair amount of nosh – to sample.

“It’s a cool event because you can taste so many wines and find something you really like,” said Deborah Kossman, an attendee.

Estie Wartenberg, national sales manager for Recanati Wines, echoed that sentiment. “When you buy wine for Passover you buy a lot,” she said. “So you want to make sure it’s something your family will really enjoy.” Pointing out that red is traditional for the seder, Wartenberg recommended Recanati’s Shiraz and Recanati’s Cabernet Sauvignon.

“The event is now in its fourth year, and people know about it,” said The Jewish Week’s associate publisher, Richard Waloff. “People want to go to a fun event and learn about wine, especially before Passover, so when they go to seder they know what’ll work.”