Wine at the Seder

I asked the question about which wine the rov uses on pesach for the Seder. He answered red moscato. To my knowledge moscato is a combination of red and white wine. Is this ok? Also does the rov use non mevushal moscato? Thanks

The Talmud (1) records the following exchange: Rav Kahana asked Rava “May one use white wine?” Rava answered him by quoting the verse “Do not pay attention to how red your wine becomes,” (2) implying that red wine is superior and is therefore to be preferred.

As such, one should preferably use a red wine for the Seder unless the white wine is better quality (3). Another reason why one should make every effort to use red wine at the Seder is because red wine reminds us of how Pharaoh would slighter Jews. (4) There is also the teaching that the red wine reminds us of the blood of the Korban Pesach, the blood of Bris Mila, and the blood of the first plague. (5) One can “compromise” by mixing some red wine into one’s preferred white wine so that the wine appears red, though its taste is essentially unaffected (it takes very little red wine to turn white wine red). (6)

It should be noted that when mixing red and white wine on Shabbat or Yom Tov, one should pour the red wine into the cup first and then add the white wine. This is because adding red wine to white wine (which will change the color the wine) is forbidden by many authorities on Shabbat and Yom Tov due to the melacha of “dyeing” or “coloring.” (7)

Non-mevushal (uncooked) wine, is always to be preferred in the performance of mitzvot as it is halachically superior and said to be of higher quality. Therefore, one should make an effort to use non-mevushal wine for the 4 cups of wine at the Seder unless the mevushal wine is superior. (8)

(1) Bava Basra 97b

(2) Mishlei 23:31

(3) Rama, OC 472:11; Mishnah Berura 272:10

(4) Mishna Berura 472:38

(5) Chazon Ovadia, Haggada, Kadesh

(6) Piskei Teshuvot 472:10

(7) Mishna Berura 320:56

(8) OC 472:12; Mishna Berura 472:39. See also Rema, OC 272:8