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Wine has an important role in the [[Christian]] religion, reflecting the central role it played in society at the times of [[Jesus]]'s ministry on [[Earth]].  Plain water was generally not potable at that time and wine was often mixed with water, so that the alcohol in the wine killed some of the harmful microorganisms in the water. (It should be noted, however, that the same Greek word meant both "grape juice" and "wine", raising issues of translation depending on the context.<ref>See [[Conservative Bible Project]].</ref>)

Wine has an important role in the [[Christian]] religion, reflecting the central role it played in society at the times of [[Jesus]]'s ministry on [[Earth]].  Plain water was generally not potable at that time and wine was often mixed with water, so that the alcohol in the wine killed some of the harmful microorganisms in the water. (It should be noted, however, that the same Greek word meant both "grape juice" and "wine", raising issues of translation depending on the context.<ref>See [[Conservative Bible Project]].</ref>)

Christ's first miracle, performed at the wedding feast at Cana, was to turn six amphora filled with water into unfermented grape juice. ([[Gospel of John|John]] 2:7-10.)  At the [[Last Supper]], Christ commands the [[Apostles]] to eat bread and drink wine, which he calls His Body and Blood, and commands the Apostles to do this  "in remembrance of me." ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 26::26-29; [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 14:23-24; [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 22:20-23.) This is preserved in the liturgy of the Christian Church as [[Holy Communion]].  The different denominations of Christianity have various teachings and doctrines about the place and significance of the wine in the communion service, which are roughly separable into memorialism and a belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the [[Eucharist]]ic hosts.

Christ's first miracle, performed at the wedding feast at Cana, was to turn six amphora filled with water into unfermented grape juice. ([[Gospel of John|John]] 2:7-10.)  At the [[Last Supper]], Christ commands the [[Apostles]] to eat bread and drink wine, which he calls His Body and Blood, and commands the Apostles to do this  "in remembrance of me." ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 26::26-29; [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 14:23-24; [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 22:20-23.) This is preserved in the liturgy of the Christian Church as [[Eucharist|Holy Communion]].  The different denominations of Christianity have various teachings and doctrines about the place and significance of the wine in the communion service, which are roughly separable into memorialism and a belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the [[Eucharist]]ic hosts.

Many of the orders of [[Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Roman Catholic]] religious (monks and nuns) established their own wineries in Europe and, in the case of Catholic orders, in the Americas.

Many of the orders of [[Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Roman Catholic]] religious (monks and nuns) established their own wineries in Europe and, in the case of Catholic orders, in the Americas.