Don't worry about getting off topic. I asked about port for communion wine because that's what they are using now. Several people have asked why port? I don't know but my in laws go to a different Episcopal Church and they use port as well. I'm going to ask my son's church that question. Once we get past "that's what we've always done" I'm betting it will come down to 1) It is dark red like blood and 2) it is sweet which may be more appealing to members who aren't wine drinkers. One other possible consideration is that all of the members drink from the same silver challis. They also mix the wine with water to symbolize the blood and water that came from Jesus side when a Roman soldier pierced his side after his death. The higher alcohol content of the port when mixed with water would still have a higher alcohol percentage that wine mixed with water. Maybe it's the antibacterial properties of the higher alcohol content they at going for. Guess I'll find out soon enough.
A lot of conservative churches are teetotalers so they avoid wine all together so they use grape juice instead. Many of them will argue with you that the "new" wine they had in Bible times was fresh grape juice that hadn't fermented. It's amazing how far people are willing distort the clear meaning of words to make them fit their personal bias. It's hard to know where this is more prevalent politics or religion
But at least the teetotalers usually us individual cups instead of one shared cup so they don't need the alcohol for its antibacterial properties.
Special thanks to Steve aka "vacuumpumpman" who spent over an hour this evening on the phone talking through the various options and sharing a wealth of knowledge about all things wine related. It was quite an education! Even if we don't end up doing port for the church, I now have a wealth of good information for making my next personal batch of port.
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