{"id":47581,"date":"2026-07-04T14:49:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T18:49:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/?p=47581"},"modified":"2026-07-05T20:43:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T00:43:31","slug":"catholic-church-alcohol-wine-beer-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/catholic-church-alcohol-wine-beer-history\/","title":{"rendered":"God, Wine, and Beer: The Catholic Church’s Surprising Role in the Alcohol Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The relationship between the Catholic Church and alcohol operates on three distinct planes: sacramental wine, the Vatican as an active consumer market, and monastic brands ranging from genuinely monk-made to corporate licensed.<\/p>\n

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Le\u00f3n XIV, Robert Francis Prevost.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Each plane follows its own logic, and confusing them produces a distorted picture of what is actually a centuries-old industrial and theological story.<\/p>\n\n

Sacramental Wine: Canon Law Sets the Rules<\/h2>\n

Canon 924 of the Code of Canon Law is precise: wine used in the Eucharist must be natural, made exclusively from grapes, and in good condition. Artificial aromas, colorants, and added sugars are prohibited. Limited use of sulfites is permitted, and in some cases the wine may be fortified with neutral grape alcohol \u2014 but the theological and legal parameters are strict enough to eliminate most commercial wines from consideration.<\/p>\n

There is also a practical factor that rarely enters theological discussions: parishes generally prefer white or ros\u00e9 wines. The reason is logistical \u2014 red wine stains liturgical cloths in ways that are difficult to remove. This single preference has shaped the offerings of certified sacramental wine producers for generations.<\/p>\n

Among the producers with long-standing authorization, De Muller of Tarragona stands out. Founded in 1851, the winery received Vatican certification in 1883 and continues to produce sacramental wines from macabeo and white grenache. Other historically authorized producers include Sevenhill Cellars \u2014 established by Jesuits in Clare Valley, Australia, also in 1851 \u2014 Cribari Vineyards in Fresno, California, operating since 1917, San Antonio Winery in California, and Carlo Pellegrino and Mart\u00ednez in Sicily, authorized by the bishop of Mazara del Vallo.<\/p>\n

The Vatican as a Wine Market<\/h2>\n

With approximately 800 residents, Vatican City records per capita wine consumption of between 74 and 79 liters per year \u2014 a figure that reflects both cultural habit and the hospitality demands of diplomatic life. The Lateran Treaty of 1929 established a special fiscal regime exempting Vatican purchases from ordinary Italian taxes, which means the Annona store and the duty-free shop in the former railway station offer wines at prices unavailable anywhere else in Rome.<\/p>\n

Between 96 and 99.9 percent of Vatican wine imports come from Italy. The cellars include Tignanello and Solaia from Marchesi Antinori, Abbazia di Novacella from Alto Adige, and Bava Vini from Piedmont. The most exclusive production, however, sits on two hectares of cabernet sauvignon at Castel Gandolfo, managed under the technical direction of enologist Riccardo Cotarella and reserved entirely for Vatican use.<\/p>\n

Papal preferences have varied with the individual. Benedict XVI was known for his appreciation of German beer, orange sodas, and sweet Italian wines. Francis opts for Italian whites consumed with discretion. In April of this year, Pope Francis presented King Charles III and Queen Camilla with a magnum bottle of Aneri Amarone, vintage 2005.<\/p>\n