I had the BEST wine at Mass today - I kid you not! What was it?

[FrDavid96]

Okay but why would anyone call altar wines sherry or port when they are not? I’ve never heard of these two being used as a description for wine that is not sherry or port. That does not make any sense to me.

In the US, it is rather common (or at least it was until recent decades) to use descriptive names for wines that expressed the idea that it was the equivalent of the European original. Just for example, until a few years ago, many American wine companies made sparkling wines which they called “champagnes.” No, they were not from the Champagne region. Same thing with port and sherry.

Some altar wines just have those names. Someone might make an “Archangel Sherry” or a “St Nicholas Port.”

They just do it.

The point is that just because we read the words “port” or “sherry” in a name that does not exclude the possibility that it’s a legitimate altar wine. The criteria is whether or not it meets the Church’s standards. The name is irrelevant. If it’s been approved by the bishop (usually the bishop of the place where it’s made), then we can be confident to use it at Mass.

 

[thistle]

In the US, it is rather common (or at least it was until recent decades) to use descriptive names for wines that expressed the idea that it was the equivalent of the European original. Just for example, until a few years ago, many American wine companies made sparkling wines which they called “champagnes.” No, they were not from the Champagne region. Same thing with port and sherry.

Some altar wines just have those names. Someone might make an “Archangel Sherry” or a “St Nicholas Port.”

They just do it.

The point is that just because we read the words “port” or “sherry” in a name that does not exclude the possibility that it’s a legitimate altar wine. The criteria is whether or not it meets the Church’s standards. The name is irrelevant. If it’s been approved by the bishop (usually the bishop of the place where it’s made), then we can be confident to use it at Mass.

Thanks Father. I didn’t know that.

 

[pianistclare]

Our parish is currently using “Cribari Rosato”. Says “light, sweet rose” on the label.
It specifically says “Altar Wine” on the label,. Must come from a Religious Supply house.

 

[TimothyH]

Our parish is currently using “Cribari Rosato”. Says “light, sweet rose” on the label.
It specifically says “Altar Wine” on the label,. Must come from a Religious Supply house.

This is what we use. Comes in gallon jugs for about $80 each. Cribari only sells to Churches.

altarwine.com/index.html

-Tim-

 

[UpUpAndAway]

My understanding is that sacramental wine is normally very mild, 5% or less, compared to the average 8% alcohol content

Really? Ours is an 11.5% white Bordeaux. It’s clearly marked “Mass wine” (vin de messe). Ah, la vie française.

The sacristan isn’t busy. Trust me.

*

Send me any sacristan who’s twiddling their thumbs—I need help! I’m so busy it takes six people to replace me when I go on retreat, pilgrimage or vacation :sad_yes:

That said, I’m never too busy to answer questions like this.

*yes, I know you’re being facetious :hug3:

 

[GoGoDiego]

Probably the one who made the wine is someone frome France. We drink the Precious blood in our parish twice a year; Holy Thursday and Corpus Christi. It was very sweet and less alcohol content. What about those communicants under 21?

 

[pianistclare]

Really? Ours is an 11.5% white Bordeaux. It’s clearly marked “Mass wine” (vin de messe). Ah, la vie française.

*

Send me any sacristan who’s twiddling their thumbs—I need help! I’m so busy it takes six people to replace me when I go on retreat, pilgrimage or vacation :sad_yes:

That said, I’m never too busy to answer questions like this.

*yes, I know you’re being facetious :hug3:

I was referring to our sacristan, LOL
She seems to be only busy with busy body stuff.

 

[FrDavid96]

This is what we use. Comes in gallon jugs for about $80 each. Cribari only sells to Churches.

%between%

-Tim-

I think that’s $80 per case.

At $80 per jug it had better be very very good!

Anyway, in their “sweet wines” category, they do have one called “Port Wine.” It’s not a true Port, they just use the word.

 

[pianistclare]

If it’s $80 per jug, it’s your treat Padre!

 

[FrDavid96]

If it’s $80 per jug, it’s your treat Padre!

I have to pay for it (not personally, of course, but I’m the one who has to come up with the funds) whether it’s an $80 bottle of wine or a $3 bottle of wine!

 

[pianistclare]

I have to pay for it (not personally, of course, but I’m the one who has to come up with the funds) whether it’s an $80 bottle of wine or a $3 bottle of wine!

Well, if you ever run short, we’ll take a road trip and bring you a case!

 

[Usige]

Not only is every parish different, but a given parish will change from time to time. Some change frequently.

I know a parish that it depended on which priest was celebrating. One preferred a dark red and the other always used a rose or blush.

 

[janeway529]

I have to pay for it (not personally, of course, but I’m the one who has to come up with the funds) whether it’s an $80 bottle of wine or a $3 bottle of wine!

My parish solved that problem by buying a whole case of Cribari Rosato, have people pay $5-10 “offering” per wine bottle, and then they can process with their gift during the Offertory. This usually happens during the parish’s Simbang Gabi Masses, not every Sunday.

 

[Chatter163]

This is what we use. Comes in gallon jugs for about $80 each. Cribari only sells to Churches.

altarwine.com/index.html

-Tim-

We use Cribari, too, but it comes in standard-sized bottles, not gallon jugs.

 

[FrDavid96]

My parish solved that problem by buying a whole case of Cribari Rosato, have people pay $5-10 “offering” per wine bottle, and then they can process with their gift during the Offertory. This usually happens during the parish’s Simbang Gabi Masses, not every Sunday.

I’m only joking.

Paying for the altar wine and the hosts and keeping the lights on, etc. etc. etc. are just routine parish expenses. That’s why we take-up a collection every week. It’s not a problem.

I’ve seen similar to what you describe in a lot of parishes. Many list in the bulletin that a family is sponsoring something this week: like the wine/hosts or the sanctuary light, or similar.

It makes sense to have those who paid to sponsor it bring it forward during the offertory. After all, that was the original purpose. People would bring bread and wine from their own homes and present it to the deacon for use at Mass.

 

[FrDavid96]

By the way…

Some fortified wines are valid matter for the Eucharist.

If a brandy is made from pure grapes, some of that brandy may be added to the wine at certain (not all) stages of the process. I’m not saying that any fortified wine may be used, but that the fact that a wine is fortified does not automatically exclude it from being used at the altar.

Priests should (but it’s not a canonical “must”) use only use wine that’s been approved by a bishop or his delegate (a vicar general, chancellor, etc.). That’s usually done by whoever is the local ordinary who has jurisdiction over the place where the winery is located.

I’ve been doing a little research lately on altar wines, and just thought I’d add that part about fortified wines because there’s a general tendency to exclude fortified wines as valid matter. I often say that myself, and forget to add that while it’s generally true, it’s not always true.

The authoritative document on this was issued by Rome in 1896. Fr McN----- at Zenit, makes reference to it here. ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur255.htm