Ethan Walker
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church require sacramental wine to be pure grape wine, though it need not be red. Indeed, white wine is also valid, and it doesn't even have to be made from white grapes. The wine must be natural, unadulterated, and from the fruit of the vine. Water is often added to the wine, and a non-alcoholic version is also available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Unleavened wheat bread |
| Wine | Grape wine, including red or white wine |
| Wine type | Sweet or dry wine, but not sparkling |
| Alcohol content | 9–18% |
| Wine brand | Merlot, Pinot Noir, or Chateau Ste. Michelle Melot |
| Wine price | $5–$15 |
| Wine preservation | No vinegar or spoilage |
| Water | A small quantity of water is added to the wine |
| Grape type | Any grape type, but not raisins |
| Grape juice | Mustum or grape juice without fermentation |
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What You'll Learn
Wine must be made from grapes
The Catholic Church requires that sacramental wine for communion must be made from grapes. This is because the wine represents the blood of Christ, as indicated in scripture such as John 15, Isaiah 62:9, Amos 9:13-14, and 1 Corinthians 10:16. The Code of Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church explicitly prohibit the use of any drink other than grape wine for the consecration of the Mass.
The wine must be natural and made from "the fruit of the vine," which specifically refers to grapes. Thus, wines based on other plants, such as elderberry, strawberry, dandelion, or rice wine, are not permitted. The wine should be freshly made to ensure it has not soured or become corrupted. While the wine must be made from grapes, it does not have to include the whole grape, as seen in the production of white wine from red grapes, where the skins are removed during fermentation.
The wine should be pure grape wine and alcoholic, although there are exceptions. The Catholic Church accepts that in certain circumstances, wine with minimal fermentation, called "mustum," may be used. This is permitted for priests who are alcohol intolerant or suffer from alcoholism. Additionally, in the Byzantine Rite, hot water is added to the consecrated wine before Communion, and in most liturgical rites, a small quantity of water is mixed with the wine when preparing the chalice.
The wine used for Catholic communion is typically red wine, as it better symbolizes the change from wine into the blood of Christ. However, white wine is also considered valid, as long as it is commonly recognized as grape wine. The choice of wine variety, such as Merlot or Pinot Noir, may depend on personal taste, consistency, and the type of bread served during communion.
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Red or white wine is acceptable
When it comes to communion wine, there are a variety of factors to consider. The type of wine, the occasion, and personal preferences all play a role. The most common type of communion wine is altar wine, a sweet red wine typically made from grape types such as Zinfandel, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon. However, there are other types of communion wine available, including white wines, sparkling wines, and even non-alcoholic fruit juices.
The choice between red or white wine for communion is acceptable and depends on the occasion and personal preference. Some people prefer to stick to a consistent choice of wine for communion, while others may choose based on the type of bread served or the symbolism of the colour. For instance, a red wine may be served with leavened dark bread like rye or pumpernickel, while a white wine may be paired with unleavened bread, white bread, or crackers. The choice of red wine may hold symbolic importance as it represents Christ's blood. However, the use of red wine is not mandatory, and white wine is also valid for communion.
The Catholic Church teaches that the wine for the Eucharist must be made from the fruit of the vine, specifically grapes, and should be natural and unadulterated without any extraneous substances. This means that the wine should not have any other fruits or juices added, as this would invalidate the matter. The wine should also be free from genetic modification and not be chemically manufactured, as this would result in invalid matter. While the Church provides guidelines, it does not give comprehensive answers regarding the limits of validity for communion wine.
It is worth noting that some Protestant denominations, such as Methodist Churches, substitute grape juice for wine due to their disapproval of alcohol consumption. In such cases, non-alcoholic grape juice or wine can be used as a valid alternative for those who prefer to avoid alcohol.
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Non-alcoholic wine is valid
The Catholic Church has specific requirements for the wine used in the Eucharist. According to Canon 924 of the Code of Canon Law, the "wine must be natural, made from grapes of the vine, and not corrupt", meaning that it should be freshly made and not spoiled. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) further clarifies that the wine must be "unadulterated, that is, without admixture of extraneous substances".
The Church has not provided comprehensive guidelines on the limits of valid matter for the Eucharist. However, it has issued pieces of guidance, such as authorizing the use of mustum, or fresh grape juice, for priests with alcohol intolerance or alcoholism. This indicates that the alcohol content of Eucharistic wine can be as low as 0%.
The validity of mustum suggests that non-alcoholic wine could be considered valid matter for the Eucharist, as long as it is made from grapes. In fact, some Methodist denominations use non-alcoholic grape juice for communion, as they have historically supported teetotalism.
However, there is a distinction to be made between mustum and pasteurized or treated grape juice, which would not constitute valid matter. For wine to be considered truly "wine", there must be some level of fermentation and, therefore, alcohol content. Wine-flavoured beverages with artificial flavours or non-wine additives would also not be considered valid.
In conclusion, non-alcoholic wine that is made from grapes and has undergone some level of fermentation could be considered valid for Catholic communion, especially in cases of health or personal reasons. However, the specific type of non-alcoholic wine and the circumstances of its use would be important factors in determining its validity.
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Wine must be 'pure'
Wine is considered a symbol of Jesus' blood, and grape wine is often used as a symbol for blood in religious ceremonies. Communion wine has been used in religious ceremonies for centuries, with the earliest traces found in the Jewish and Christian faiths.
The liturgical laws concerning altar wine state that the wine "must be natural from the fruit of the vine and not spoiled". The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) further clarifies that the wine "must be from the fruit of the vine, natural, and unadulterated, that is, without admixture of extraneous substances". This means that the wine should be made in a natural way entirely from grapes, and the addition of other fruits or juices invalidates the matter. Wine made from raisins is also acceptable, and the use of pure distilled grape spirits during fermentation to increase the alcohol content is permitted, as long as the total alcohol content does not exceed 18%.
The GIRM also states that wine intended for the Eucharist should be kept in a perfect state of conservation, meaning that it does not turn to vinegar. Wine that has just started to turn sour is still valid but is considered illicit and sinful to use due to irreverence. Wine that has completely soured or turned to vinegar is invalid.
While the specific type of wine used for communion is not prescribed, it is considered gravely sinful to use doubtful or clearly invalid wine. For example, wine made from elderberries, other fruits besides grapes, or plants like dandelions or rice would be considered invalid. Wine that is mixed with other substances may be considered illicit, but it can still be valid as long as it is commonly considered grape wine.
Most churches use real wine for communion, although some denominations, such as Methodist Churches, use non-alcoholic grape juice instead due to their disapproval of alcohol consumption.
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Wine must be 'natural'
Wine for communion in the Catholic Church must be natural and made from grapes, specifically from the fruit of the vine. This is because wine is considered a symbol of Jesus' blood, and grape wine is often used to symbolise blood in religious ceremonies. The wine must be "unadulterated", meaning it should not contain any "extraneous substances".
The wine for communion should be prepared with diligent care to ensure it is kept in a perfect state of conservation and does not turn to vinegar. Wine that has just started to turn sour can still be used, but according to St. Thomas Aquinas, it is sinful to do so because of irreverence. Wine that has completely soured or turned to vinegar is invalid.
The liturgical laws concerning altar wine state that wine made from raisins is also acceptable for communion. Additionally, wine made with genetically modified organisms can be considered valid matter. However, the addition of other fruits or juices invalidates the matter, as would the inclusion of wine-based liquors such as sangria, wine coolers, or wine spritzers. The chemical manufacture of "wine" without the fermentation action of yeast also results in invalid matter.
The colour and flavour of the wine are not specified in the liturgical laws, and both red and white wines are acceptable. Sweet or dry wines are permitted, but sparkling wines such as champagne or spumante are not valid. The alcohol content of the wine may vary, and official responses have identified a range of 9-18% alcohol content as acceptable. The addition of pure distilled grape spirits during fermentation to increase the alcohol content is permitted, provided the total alcohol content does not exceed 18%.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church uses altar wine, which is typically a sweet red wine made from grape varieties like Zinfandel, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon. However, white wine is also considered valid. The wine must be made from the fruit of the vine, specifically grapes, and cannot be spoiled.
The 1983 Code of Canon Law requires that the wine for the Eucharist be "natural from the fruit of the vine and not spoiled." The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) further clarifies that the wine must be natural and unadulterated, without any extraneous substances.
Yes, non-alcoholic wine or grape juice can be used for communion in the Catholic Church. This is often the case in Methodist Churches, which have historically supported teetotalism.
Some specific wines mentioned for communion include Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chateau Ste. Michelle Melot. It is recommended to choose a moderately priced, consistent wine that will be enjoyed by all participants, without distracting from the focus on Christ.
