Sacramental wine raises many questions. Is it a red wine or a white wine? How much does sacramental wine cost? These are all questions we’re going to answer. We’ll also focus on the history of liturgical wine and its use through the centuries. It’s worth noting that Catholics aren’t the only ones to use wine in their religious rites. That’s also the case in Judaism, with the Kiddush.
History of sacramental wine
Wine representing the blood of Christ appears in the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark. From that point on, Christians used wine during celebrations. The use of wine then gradually became widespread. As we’ll see below, a shift toward white wine would follow later.
Is sacramental wine white or red?
Tradition has it that liturgical wine is red. After all, what better way to represent the blood of Christ? Yet white wine is appearing more and more in places of worship. White wine has the advantage of offering slightly softer flavours, which the faithful who come fasting appreciate. White wine also doesn’t stain the religious vestments, which can sometimes be very expensive. These are all advantages that have favoured its adoption.
The Vatican refused to offer white wine until recently. However, since the election of Pope Francis, a Muscadet is said to have come into the favour of the Church of Rome.
Characteristics of sacramental wine
One of the main characteristics of liturgical wine is that it’s a natural wine. A sacramental wine that’s organic and has no added sugar or alcohol is the guarantee of a drink as close as possible to the land and the terroir. This wine is very often served at room temperature. Don’t expect to taste a wine kept at the right temperature: this isn’t a wine tasting! It’s also worth knowing that the wine served in the chalice is diluted with water.
How much does sacramental wine cost?
The price of liturgical wine varies and depends above all on the church’s budget. There isn’t a single sacramental wine as such, but a wine chosen by a church for its rituals. The purchase of sacramental wine is handled locally. In wine-growing regions, it’s often local producers who give a few bottles of their wines to the local parish.
