wine

[maize]

is it described in canon law/catechism/g.i.r.m. what type of wine is to be used at mass. mainly plain red wine or is port and sherry acceptable. ive heard on a different forum from a poster that some parishes in new zealand use sherry or port.

thanks.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

is it described in canon law/catechism/g.i.r.m. what type of wine is to be used at mass. mainly plain red wine or is port and sherry acceptable. ive heard on a different forum from a poster that some parishes in new zealand use sherry or port.

thanks.

Essentially pure, Grape wine, any “color”.

 

[maize]

so no fortified since that is wine with brandy added to it?

i was curious what the regulation was.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

so no fortified since that is wine with brandy added to it?

i was curious what the regulation was.

There was a detailed discussion back a few months about additives. I understand that spirits derived from Grapes can be added to boost low alcohol up to but not exceeding 12% I think.

 

[LilyM]

There was a detailed discussion back a few months about additives. I understand that spirits derived from Grapes can be added to boost low alcohol up to but not exceeding 12% I think.

I suppose the alcohol content couldn’t be much higher than the standard for wine, it’s one of the defining characteristics that distinguishes wine from certain spirits.

 

[FrDavid96]

so no fortified since that is wine with brandy added to it?

i was curious what the regulation was.

Right. No extra flavors, no other juices, no sweetners, no fresh grapes, nothing but pure fermented wine made from grapes. Once that requirement has been met, (almost) any kind of wine is valid. However, as a practical matter, someone in competent authority must certify that the wine is acceptable. Most people don’t know that the only difference between what’s sold as “altar wine” and what’s sold as regular wine is exactly the same thing with a different label (or even just a sticker added to the label). A bare minimum of preservatives (sulfides or sulfites???) is permitted.

The only way to trust that a wine is valid is that it must be labeled as such (something like “certified by the Bishop of such-and-such for use in the Mass” is typical).

If you have something in mind, check with the vintner. For years, I visited a small winery in Michigan and liked a certain wine. Once, I casually mentioned to the seller that I wished I could use it as altar wine. Lo and behold, the vintner produced a letter from the local bishop (which I verified when I got home), added a small sticker to a few bottles (the bishop required that in his letter), and sold it to me. Glad I asked.

edit: not meant to contradict the comments posted above that showed up while I was typing.

 

[benedictgal]

For whatever it’s worth, here is what Redemptionis Sacramentum has to say on the matter of wine:

50.] The wine that is used in the most sacred celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice must be natural, from the fruit of the grape, pure and incorrupt, not mixed with other substances.127 During the celebration itself, a small quantity of water is to be mixed with it. Great care should be taken so that the wine intended for the celebration of the Eucharist is well conserved and has not soured.128 It is altogether forbidden to use wine of doubtful authenticity or provenance, for the Church requires certainty regarding the conditions necessary for the validity of the sacraments. Nor are other drinks of any kind to be admitted for any reason, as they do not constitute valid matter.

While it doesn’t speak to alcoholic content, it does list some specifics.

 

[FrCorey]

we once used some Cribari altar wine that was over 18%.
one poor father consecrated too much and had to finish it.
he was toasted for hours after…

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

My diocese has an extensive list of all brands of wine approved for altar use. It is very useful, as it contains red and white wines from a large number of vineyards.

 

[jean8]

is it described in canon law/catechism/g.i.r.m. what type of wine is to be used at mass. mainly plain red wine or is port and sherry acceptable. ive heard on a different forum from a poster that some parishes in new zealand use sherry or port.

thanks.

Do you receive the Eucharist under both Bread and Wine?

jean8

 

[FrDavid96]

My diocese has an extensive list of all brands of wine approved for altar use. It is very useful, as it contains red and white wines from a large number of vineyards.

Good point.

On the one hand, if a wine is labeled as “Altar Wine” and certified by competent authority (usually a bishop), we can trust that in good conscience, without reservations.

But we also need to keep in mind that in many cases, bishops have also approved other wines. That’s where your list comes in handy. Is that list posted on the website of your diocese? Others might find it very useful. Thanks.

 

[thistle]

Do you receive the Eucharist under both Bread and Wine?

jean8

That’s off topic but the answer is that Jesus is fully present body and blood, soul and divinity in each species so while we may receive both it is not necessary to receive both.