Mass wine is a fundamental element in the Eucharistic liturgy because, through the words of consecration, it becomes the blood of Christ. This article explores its history, meaning, and how it is selected.
Theological meaning
During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist and, taking the chalice, spoke these words: «Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins» (Mt 26:27-28).
The same gesture of Jesus is repeated by the priest on the altar during Mass and, once the priest has consecrated the wine, that wine becomes the blood of Christ, the blood he shed on the cross for our salvation. This phenomenon is more precisely called transubstantiation, and refers to the transformation of one substance into another, namely wine into the blood of Christ, even though the perceptible characteristics of the wine remain, such as its color, aroma, taste, and quantity.
Varieties of wine for Mass
Canonical requirements:
To be suitable for the celebration of the Eucharist, just any wine cannot be used, even if it is D.O.C. or D.O.C.G., nor even if it is Vin Santo (it may be used as Mass wine if it meets the standards indicated below), since the requirements prescribed by the Code of Canon Law must be observed. This document, reaffirming what had already been stated at the Council of Florence in 1439, expressly establishes that «the wine must be natural, from the fruit of the vine, and unaltered». These principles are explored in greater detail in the 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, which specifies that: «The wine used in the celebration of the holy Eucharistic sacrifice must be natural, from the fruit of the vine, genuine, unaltered, and not mixed with foreign substances. During the same celebration of Mass, a small amount of water is to be mixed with it. The utmost care should be taken to ensure that the wine intended for the Eucharist is kept in perfect condition and does not turn to vinegar. It is absolutely forbidden to use wine whose genuineness and origin are doubtful: the Church requires certainty regarding the conditions necessary for the validity of the sacraments. Nor may any pretext be admitted in favor of other beverages of any kind, which do not constitute valid matter» (chapter III, paragraph 50).
Types of wine for Mass
There are no specific indications regarding the type or color of the wine. Until 1880, only red wine was used, symbolizing the blood of Christ, whereas today white wine is more commonly found for practical reasons.
As for the alcohol content, since this is a wine to which the addition of any type of preservative is prohibited, it is usually high, which is why Mass wines are often fortified wines.
However, alternatives include low-alcohol sweet wines or partially fermented musts, which are even more fragrant and lighter. In this latter case, the substantial residual sugar delays the oxidation of the wine, allowing it to remain stable for longer.
Production and selection
Production process
Three characteristics set out in the Code of Canon Law must be taken into account in the winemaking process. Therefore, Mass wine must be:
natural: it must contain nothing other than genuine grapes, uncontaminated by additives that would invalidate it for the sacrament;
from the fruit of the vine: it must not come from other plants, but only from grapes produced by the vine.
unaltered: it must be in perfect condition; it must not show signs of spoilage or acescence, nor have cork taint or mold.
To guarantee this authenticity, wine intended for Mass is subjected to periodic tests on samples conducted by a deanery vicar responsible for inspection, and only if these tests produce a positive result will the diocesan curia issue a certificate for the wine produced and affix the bishop's seal.
Only once the product has successfully passed the inspection may it be bottled and used for celebrations.
Selection criteria
When choosing wine for Mass, compliance with Church regulations and product quality must be taken into account. Therefore, the first indispensable standard for wine intended for Mass is its purity.
Storage and care
For Mass wine to maintain its quality, proper storage of opened bottles is important. They should be kept in a cool place, at a temperature of 12-14 degrees C, at a humidity level above 85%, in the dark, upright, and with closures that prevent oxygen from entering (because it oxidizes the wine and denatures it).
Mass wine in practice
How it is used
Wine is of fundamental importance in the sacred rite of Mass. It is brought to the altar at the offertory, which begins the Eucharistic liturgy. The priest says: «Blessed are you, Lord». The priest adds a few drops of water to the wine as a «sign of our participation in the divine life of the One who chose to assume our human nature».
This moment represents our intimate participation in what Jesus' sacrifice was for the salvation of us all. Through our commitment and goodwill, Jesus gives us nothing less than himself in return. The culminating moment comes during the consecration, which specifically recalls Jesus' Last Supper. Here the wine assumes a unique role, as it becomes the blood of Christ and the bread becomes the body of Christ. For this reason, consecrated wine is the “drink of salvation”.
Another important moment is Communion: the priest receives Communion under both species (the host and wine), while the faithful, in most cases, receive only the species of bread; however, it should be kept in mind that Christ is fully present in both species.
History of wine for Holy Mass
Jesus used wine during the Last Supper with his disciples. In the same way, in the following centuries, Christians celebrated Mass with wine.
Until the second half of the 19th century, the wine had to be red, since it was meant to recall the blood of Jesus. From 1880 onward, however, priests were given greater freedom and began choosing whether to use white wine or red wine. White wine is often preferred, both because of its delicacy and because drops can be removed more easily from sacred furnishings and vestments. By contrast, red wine can leave stains; consequently, fabrics it comes into contact with may be irreparably damaged.
Biblical origins
Vine cultivation and winemaking have existed since time immemorial in the cultures and rituals of many peoples, especially those living around the Mediterranean Sea.
Wine is a recurring theme found in many books of the Bible. The Book of Genesis tells us that Noah was the first vine grower to produce wine (cf. Genesis 9:20-27). It was used in sacrificial rites in the temple (Ex 29:40; Ezra 6:9), as a restorative (2 Sam 16:1-2; 1 Tim 5:23), and as medicine (Lk 10:25-37). In the patriarchal stories, good and abundant wine is a sign of God's blessing. Melchizedek blesses Abraham by offering him bread and wine (Gen 14:18-20).
Isaac wishes his son Jacob an abundance of grain and new wine (Gen 27:28). In blessing Judah, Jacob associates the coming of the future Messiah with an abundant production of wine (Gen 49:10-12). The land that God gave his people is a good land that produces excellent wine (Deut 33:28-29). Wine represents the love of spouses (Song 1:2b; 2:14; 7:10a; 8:2b). In the messianic era, God will not withhold wine, which will be its principal sign (Amos 9:14; Is 25:6); the mountains will drip with new wine (cf. Joel 4:16). Wine is the gift that wisdom offers to those who wish to be wise: «Come! ... Drink the wine I have prepared!» (Prov 9:1-5; cf. Sir 24:17ff.). The wise person advises those who live on the right path to drink wine with a joyful heart because God has approved their works (Sir 9:7).
The absence of wine produces sadness and also indicates the lack of life and love (cf. Is 16:10). Wine that gladdens the heart (cf. Ps 104:15) should be drunk in moderation. The wisdom books warn of its harmful effects. The story of Noah, who drank until he became drunk, recounted in the early chapters of Genesis (Gen 9:20-23), bears witness to this.
In the New Testament, Jesus, who drank wine (Mt 11:19; Lk 7:33ff.), presents it as a sign of celebration (Mk 2:18-20). Jesus often compares himself to new wine that must be poured into new wineskins, because the old ones would burst (Mk 2:22; Lk 5:37-38). The allusion is to his message, so new that it would shatter the old patterns of Jewish tradition.
In the Gospel of John, during the wedding at Cana (Jn 2:1-10), he performs the first sign by transforming water into wine, indeed into excellent wine, better than what the guests had drunk up to that point. This wine symbolizes the new covenant that inaugurates the messianic era announced by the prophets (Amos 9:13ff.; Joel 2:24; 4:18; Is 25:6). Wine is used during the Last Supper, when Jesus institutes the Eucharist: «Then he took the chalice, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”» (Mt 26:27-29). Saint Paul writes: «This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes» (1 Cor 10:16-17).
We conclude with an interesting fact: in Jesus' time, black grapes were cultivated in Palestine, and the wine made from them was also called “the blood of the grape”. Indeed, a common belief in the lands of Babylon and Canaan was that grapes had to lose their life in order to produce wine as their fruit.
Thus, the juice of life derives from the death of the grape. Jesus is the messianic bridegroom who offers his wine - the fullness of life - to his bride, the Church.
