FLORAL FOLKLORE: The forgotten tales behind nature’s most enchanting plants by Alison Davies and illustrated by Sarah WIlding unravels the fascinating meanings and stories behind more than 40 of nature’s most intriguing plants.

Why do buttercups glow when held beneath your chin? Which blooms are sometimes called fairy phones? Why are foxgloves sometimes ominously referred to as “Deadman’s Bellows”? And what is the true meaning of a rose?A perfect spring read, here are details enabling us to benefit from the timeless wisdom of flowers in everyday life. After reading FLORAL FOLKLORE, you’ll never look at a bunch of flowers the same way again.

The festival of Passover starts April 22 – 30, an eight-day holiday celebrating the Israelites’ Exodus from Egyptian slavery. The most important event in Jewish history is marked by eating a festive meal with matzah, telling the Passover story (Seder) and drinking four cups of wine.  And, when you have four cups to get through in one Seder dinner, wine quality is paramount.

Royal Wine Corp. is the largest manufacturer, importer and exporter of Kosher wines and spirits, with a portfolio that spans hundreds of brands and thousands of bottles of world-class wines. For Passover 2024, they are introducing top quality wines from some of the finest wine producing regions including California, France, Italy, Spain and Israel, among others.

While forty percent of annual kosher wine sales occur for the Passover holiday, sales of kosher wine and spirits have been growing significantly throughout the rest of the year.

According to Jay Buchsbaum, VP of Wine Education at Royal Wine Corp., “There’s nothing cookie-cutter about these Passover wines – they are top notch, award winning and distinctive. And, while red wine is traditional for the Passover Seder, it can be a nice Burgundy or a Pinot Noir, or a Cabernet – just as long as it is kosher for Passover. There are dozens to choose from. And, just to be clear, our portfolio consists of  acclaimed wines that just happen to be kosher, recognized for our quality and value.”

These Passover-approved bottles will complement any Seder fare. “L’Chaim”

• Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico, world famous winery producing kosher wine for the first time. This renowned and well regarded brand is producing kosher wine for the first time exclusively for Royal Wine Corp. (with more to come); SRP $25

• Lovatelli, a new line of fine and affordable Italian wines, including a Salento Primitivo, SRP $17 and a Barbera d’Asti, SRP $25; Coming soon:  Nebbiolo, a Super Tuscan, as well as two new vermouths.

• Many new kosher wines are being imported from South Africa by ESSA and J Folk wineries (among them are : Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and more).
• We also like wines from Cantina Giuliano, a fully kosher boutique winery started in 2014 in Tuscany, Italy.
• Bartenura – Flavored Moscatos in cans such as Peach, Lychee, and new Blueberry.
• Château Dauzac Grand Cru Classéand Aurore de Dauzac Margaux ’21
• Chateau Roubine Cru Classé Lion & Dragon Red
• Des Moisans Deau Cognac Privilege
• Herzog Lineage Momentus Rose
• J de Villebois Sancerre Pinot Noir
• Kamisa Winery – Galilee, Israel
• Malbec du Clos Triguedina – Cahors
• Shamay Winery Upper Galilee, Israel 
• New Carmel Black Cabernet Sauvignon, Galilée, Israel (SRP $30)
• Brio de Château Cantenac Brown, Margaux