Answers.Body: <p>Ken, as you requested in your response to my comment, I post this as an answer:</p>
  
  <p>Despite not fulfilling the first criteria, I suggest considering St John's Commandaria, a sweet desert wine made in Cyprus from white grapes.</p>
  
  <p>From: <a href="http://www.cyprusfoodndrinks.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=681&amp;-V=authentics" rel="nofollow noreferrer">A legendary wine</a></p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>The Commandaria wine of today still bears the name of this area [Grande Commandaria, Limassol District], for the Knights of St John gave this name to the wine not only because it was produced in the villages that constituted the Order’s fief - the Commanderie - but also because knighthood was then held in high esteem among the Catholic countries of Western Europe and among pilgrims who, on their way to the Holy Land, stopped at Cypriot harbors for provisioning - which of course included the sweet Commandaria wine.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/bsiW1.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/bsiW1.jpg" alt="St John&#39;s Commandaria"></a></p>
  
  <p>The bottles are generally available for less than 20$ and bear what I believe is called the cross of St John. I have been lucky enough to have been introduced to its long history and the wine itself by a local enthusiast in Cyprus. I've also been impressed by its quality, which I consider outstanding for the price. It also would be an excellent sip after a good lunch or dinner, and as desert wine is typically drunk in smaller quantities than 'normal' red or white wine, the limited supply from a blessed bottle can be shared among more people.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-08-25T16:23:17.890Z
Answers.Text: My pastor thinks it is a worthwhile suggestion to keep in mind. Yes, the cross on the label is that of the Knights of St John.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ken Graham
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-07-10T12:44:03.423Z
Answers.Text: A red wine variety of this wine does exist. [St. John Commandaria](http://www.atheneeimporters.com/portfolio/st-john-commandaria)
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ken Graham
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2021-01-15T18:12:13.810Z
Answers.Text: @KenGraham I would encourage you to post your comment as an answer.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Eric S
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-08-24T13:07:35.373Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-06-30T11:41:15.417Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2018-06-30T11:41:15.417Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Lying Dog
Body: <p>I am looking for a red wine recommendation. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Ritual" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Roman Rituale</a> of the Catholic Church has a special blessing which is reserved for the Feast of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Apostle" rel="nofollow noreferrer">St John the Apostle</a> (December 27). The actual blessing for the wine can be found on this <a href="http://laudatedominum.net/files/freddofrog.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">site</a> (page 312).</p>
  <p><a href="https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/48459/25495"><strong>Why is wine associated with St. John?</strong></a></p>
  <blockquote>
  <p>It is an old custom to drink of “St. John’s Love” by blessing wine on his feast day, December 27th. According to legend St. John drank a glass of poisoned wine without suffering harm because he had blessed it before he drank. The wine is also a symbol of the great love of Christ that filled St. John’s heart with loyalty, courage, and enthusiasm. - <a href="https://gnosticdevotions.wordpress.com/2013/12/27/blessing-of-the-wine-of-st-john/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Gnostic Devotions.</a></p>
  </blockquote>
  <p>Our Pastor is okay with the idea but has set down a few desirable traits he would like to see with the wine. The Wine should have the following characteristics:</p>
  <p>1.The wine should be red, as a symbolic color of St John's martyrdom. Non-red wines will be considered too.</p>
  <p>2.The price range should be no more than $20.00 a bottle.</p>
  <p>3.The label should be modest and if possible make some sort of reference to St John if possible or some other religious theme, if a St John theme cannot be found.</p>
  <p>Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2016-08-24T12:44:51.813Z
Comments.Text: I fully realize it does not meet the first requirement, but the St John's Commandaria form Cyprus would be worth a thought (http://www.cyprusfoodndrinks.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=681&-V=authentics). Actually named by the Order of the Knights of St John, it is a delicious sweet desert wine of light brownish color and available for less than 20$.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Lying Dog
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2016-08-24T12:58:52.663Z
Comments.Text: @LyingDog Go ahead and pose an answer mentioning why you proposed this wine although it does not fulfill all the requirements and I show our pastor your response. Thanks.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Ken Graham
Tags: <recommendations><red-wine><tradition>
Title: Red Wine recommendation for the Feast of St. John the Apostle?
UserDisplayName: Ken Graham
ThreadText: # Red Wine recommendation for the Feast of St. John the Apostle?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2016-06-22)
  
  I am looking for a red wine recommendation. The [Roman Rituale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Ritual) of the Catholic Church has a special blessing which is reserved for the Feast of [St John the Apostle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Apostle) (December 27). The actual blessing for the wine can be found on this [site](http://laudatedominum.net/files/freddofrog.pdf) (page 312).
  
  [**Why is wine associated with St. John?**](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/48459/25495)
  
  > It is an old custom to drink of “St. John’s Love” by blessing wine on his feast day, December 27th. According to legend St. John drank a glass of poisoned wine without suffering harm because he had blessed it before he drank. The wine is also a symbol of the great love of Christ that filled St. John’s heart with loyalty, courage, and enthusiasm. - [Gnostic Devotions.](https://gnosticdevotions.wordpress.com/2013/12/27/blessing-of-the-wine-of-st-john/)
  
  Our Pastor is okay with the idea but has set down a few desirable traits he would like to see with the wine. The Wine should have the following characteristics:
  
  1.The wine should be red, as a symbolic color of St John's martyrdom. Non-red wines will be considered too.
  
  2.The price range should be no more than $20.00 a bottle.
  
  3.The label should be modest and if possible make some sort of reference to St John if possible or some other religious theme, if a St John theme cannot be found.
  
  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
  
  **Tags:** recommendations, red-wine, tradition
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: I fully realize it does not meet the first requirement, but the St John's Commandaria form Cyprus would be worth a thought (http://www.cyprusfoodndrinks.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=681&-V=authentics). Actually named by the Order of the Knights of St John, it is a delicious sweet desert wine of light brownish color and available for less than 20$.  
  > **username_0**: @LyingDog Go ahead and pose an answer mentioning why you proposed this wine although it does not fulfill all the requirements and I show our pastor your response. Thanks.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2016-08-24. Score: 3 | Accepted answer
  
  Ken, as you requested in your response to my comment, I post this as an answer:
  
  Despite not fulfilling the first criteria, I suggest considering St John's Commandaria, a sweet desert wine made in Cyprus from white grapes.
  
  From: [A legendary wine](http://www.cyprusfoodndrinks.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=681&-V=authentics)
  
  > The Commandaria wine of today still bears the name of this area [Grande Commandaria, Limassol District], for the Knights of St John gave this name to the wine not only because it was produced in the villages that constituted the Order’s fief - the Commanderie - but also because knighthood was then held in high esteem among the Catholic countries of Western Europe and among pilgrims who, on their way to the Holy Land, stopped at Cypriot harbors for provisioning - which of course included the sweet Commandaria wine.
  
  [![St John's Commandaria](https://i.sstatic.net/bsiW1.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/bsiW1.jpg)
  
  The bottles are generally available for less than 20$ and bear what I believe is called the cross of St John. I have been lucky enough to have been introduced to its long history and the wine itself by a local enthusiast in Cyprus. I've also been impressed by its quality, which I consider outstanding for the price. It also would be an excellent sip after a good lunch or dinner, and as desert wine is typically drunk in smaller quantities than 'normal' red or white wine, the limited supply from a blessed bottle can be shared among more people.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: My pastor thinks it is a worthwhile suggestion to keep in mind. Yes, the cross on the label is that of the Knights of St John.  
  > **username_0**: A red wine variety of this wine does exist. [St. John Commandaria](http://www.atheneeimporters.com/portfolio/st-john-commandaria)  
  > **username_2**: @KenGraham I would encourage you to post your comment as an answer.  
  
  ---
  
  