- Spoiled wine is not kosher for Kiddush. Spoiled is defined as the point that most people will not drink it because of its vinegary taste. (The beracha becomes Shehakol.) (Rama 1 – MB4)
- Even if the wine is not spoiled, but it has a bad odor from the container it was in, it is disqualified for Kiddush. (ShA1-MB1,2)
- Wine left uncovered until the taste or aroma is affected is disqualified for Kiddush. (ShA1-MB3)
- Freshly squeezed grape juice is kosher for Kiddush, however it is a better mitzva with wine. (ShA2 – MB 5, 6)
- The following low-quality wines are kosher l’chatchila for Kiddush:
- Wine with sediment.
- Black wine.
- Sweet wine.
- Wine that has a vinegar-like smell.
Nevertheless, it is a better mitzva to choose a good wine for Kiddush. You should check it out before Kiddush. (ShA3-MB9)
- You should not say Kiddush Friday night over white wine unless the red wine is not of high quality. If the wine is very white, do not use it for Kiddush unless you have no red. White wine is fine for the day Kiddush. (ShA4 – MB 10, 11, 12)
- Raisin wine is kosher for Kiddush if made in the following way: The raisins are still somewhat plump. You crush them and steep them in water (up to six parts water) until it ferments. Once it has fermented for 3 days, it's kasher. (ShA6-MB 15, 16)
- Some poskim hold that mevushal or sweetened (with honey or sugar) wine is disqualified for Kiddush. If you have non-mevushal and unsweetened wine of equal or better quality, use it out of concern for those poskim. (ShA8-MB23)
- No non-Hagoffen drink qualifies for Friday night Kiddush. If you do not have wine or grape juice, say Kiddush over bread. Some poskim hold that if you like the bread more than wine you may say Kiddush on the bread. (ShA9-MB 27,32)
- Here is the procedure for Kiddush over bread:
- Wash netillas yodayim.
- Place your hands on the cloth that covers the lechem mishna and begin.
- When you get to Hamotzi, uncover the lechem mishna and put your hands on them.
- Lift the bread at Hashem’s name.
- Cover the bread again after Hamotzi until you complete the Kiddush. (MB 271:41)
- For the morning Kiddush, wine is definitely the best way. However, beer or whiskey is acceptable if you prefer it over wine. In places where wine is expensive and most people drink other things, even gedolim do not beautify the mitzvah of morning Kiddush over wine. Of course the beracha changes to Shehakol. (ShA 9 – MB 29, 30)
- Be sure the cup of whiskey holds a r’viis. If you can’t drink a m’lo lugmuv and you don’t have any easier drinks for Kiddush, you can be lenient to have the other listeners help you drink the m’lo lugmuv. (MB 30)
- Someone who doesn’t drink wine (e.g. nedder) should be yotzay through listening to others who are saying Kiddush for themselves. If not, he can say Kiddush over bread. (Rama 9 – MB 34)
- Once you said Hagoffen on the Kiddush wine, other wine that you drink during the meal is covered. (ShA 10)
- Since the Kiddush wine is necessary for the seuda, the Birkas Hamazon exempts it from the beracha achrona. (ShA 10 – MB 37)