All you need to know about the wine used in the church during mass

If you've ever been to a religious ceremony, you've probably seen the priest perform the Sacrament of the Eucharist, a reference to Jesus' last meal, the Last Supper. A ritual that the men of the church perpetuate by proposing to their faithful to dip their lips in wine, symbol of the blood of Christ. But let's talk about this wine: what is its colour, its taste, its origin? Let's investigate the wine of mass.

Mass wine is a natural wine!

One of the main criteria of liturgical wine is that...it must be naturali.e. no added sugars, no added alcohol - except if it is itself made from grapes and added during fermentation - and no additives. It is often a sweet wine, served at room temperature and not chilled, proof that the aim is not to taste a grand cru but to bring the symbolism to life. All its qualities make the wine of mass a comparison of the organic wine!

Is the mass wine white or red?

Red of course! This is the colour that best symbolises the colour of Christ's blood for the Church. But in recent years, it is white that has replaced red on the altar, with a softer and more syrupy taste, more appreciated by the faithful who generally come on an empty stomach. Another major advantage: white wine does not leave stains on sacred fabrics, which are often very expensive.

The last bastion of red Mass wine? The Vatican of course, tradition obliges! Although, since the election of Pope Francis, it is a Muscadet which has the favors of the man of the church, and a Frenchman moreover : Mr Guy Bossard, former owner of the famous Domaine de l'Ecu, renowned for being biodynamic.

The choice of mass wine depends on the budget allocated to the church.

There are generally no rules regarding the choice of wine: it all depends on the budget of the parish allocated to it. The whites chosen are often Sauternes or Monbazillac type. But some may opt for more full-bodied reds, such as a Cahors that can withstand dilution with water in the chalice, since the mass wine is always cut with water. Finally, if the church is in a wine-producing region, it is often the local wine growers who bring their production.

Mathilde (Les Grappes)