WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 2 (Reuters) – For many Jewish Canadians, Manischewitz kosher wine has long been a staple during Passover and other religious observances. However, this year, a growing shortage of the New York-made beverage is troubling consumers, as Canadian government-run liquor stores and wholesale monopolies have removed U.S.-made products from their shelves in protest of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats of annexation.
The absence of Manischewitz wine highlights the broader impact of U.S. tariff policies on both Canadian consumers and American businesses such as E & J Gallo Winery, the producer of Manischewitz. While some Canadian consumers are supporting local alternatives through a “Buy Canadian” movement, retailers and shoppers alike are struggling to find a suitable replacement for this beloved product.
Since early March, Canadian provincial governments, which control liquor sales and wholesaling, have enacted bans on U.S. alcohol imports, including Manischewitz wine and Jack Daniel’s bourbon. The move has resulted in the removal of existing stock from shelves across the country. Private liquor stores, which are allowed to sell any remaining supplies, report that bottles of Manischewitz were quickly snapped up by anxious shoppers once the ban was announced.
“People are freaking out,” said Louise Waldman, a Jewish resident of Winnipeg, who associates the distinct taste of Manischewitz with years of Passover celebrations.
With Passover set to begin on April 12, many Jewish families gather for traditional seders, where participants consume specific foods, including four glasses of wine. For some, Manischewitz is an essential part of the ritual.
Aaron Bernstein, owner of Bernstein’s Delicatessen, a Jewish food store and restaurant in Winnipeg, shared his frustration, noting that there is no Canadian-made alternative to Manischewitz. “There’s no other product like Manischewitz wine,” he said, while informing customers that some kosher products do not have domestic substitutes.
While some kosher wines from Israel are available in certain government-operated liquor stores, including red and white varieties from Galil Mountain Winery, these options are limited. In response to the growing demand for local goods, Canadian kosher food producers are seeing an opportunity to expand their offerings and fill the gap left by U.S. imports.
Manischewitz did not respond to requests for comment, and E & J Gallo Winery declined to provide a statement.
For many Jewish Canadians, this shortage underscores the unintended consequences of political disputes, particularly during a time of year when traditional foods and beverages take on special significance.
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