1. The blessing on wine:[1]
2. General law:

One recites the before blessing of Hagafen and after blessing of Al Hagafen on wine and grape juice being that their juice is similar to the fruit itself, and hence it would have been befitting to recite on it Borei Peri Haeitz, however, due to its significance it receives the more superior blessing of Hagafen.

1. The Bracha to be said when sucking the juice out of fruits:[2]

One who sucks the juice out of grapes recites the blessing of Haeitz. This applies even if one does not suck any of the actual flesh or pulp of the fruit, and simply sucks the juice.

1. Grape juice:[3]

Pure “homemade” natural grape juice:[4] The juice of grapes is Hagafen even though it has not fermented and does not contain any alcohol content.[5] Thus, it is permitted to squeeze grapes [before Shabbos/Yom Tov[6]] and make Kiddush on it. It is likewise permitted to use grape juice that is made through soaking juicy raisins in water [known as raisin wine, or straw wine].[7] In the wording of Chazal, this grape juice is known as Yayin Megito or Tirosh.[8]

Processed store-bought grape juice: Processed grape juice sold by wineries [i.e. Kedem] goes through pasteurization and commonly contain additives and preservatives such as sulfur, sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate. Some Poskim[9] rule that such grape juice is not considered grape juice at all and hence its blessing is Shehakol.[10] However, other Poskim[11] rule it is valid just like 100% pure grape juice, and its blessing is Hagafen.[12] Practically, the widespread custom is to recite Hagafen and be lenient even initially to permit using processed grape juice for Kiddush, and the four cups [such as for women and children, or those who cannot drink wine, as stated above].[13]

1. Frozen wine & Grape juice ice pops – What blessing is said on frozen grape juice or wine?[14]

It is questionable whether the blessing of frozen wine is Shehakol or Hagafen or Haeitz, and therefore one should either make all three blessings on different foods, having in mind the frozen grape juice/wine, or if not available, then simply say the blessing of Shehakol.[15] Bedieved, if one said either Hagafen or Haeitz he is Yotzei.

1. Brandy, Cognac, and other grape based drinks:

See Halacha 3-4 regarding wines that are mixed with other liquids! Regarding brandy: Brandy or Cognac is a distilled spirit made by fermenting and then distilling wine or fruit juice, typically grapes, resulting in a smooth, fruity liquor with an alcohol content between 35–60%. Distilled refers to a process where a liquid is heated until it turns into vapor, and then that vapor is cooled back into liquid form, separating it from impurities or other components. Even though it is made from wine, since it is distilled, it becomes Shehakol.[16]

1. Raisin wine:[17]

Background: Raisin wine is a type of fruit wine made by fermenting dried grapes (raisins) instead of fresh ones, resulting in a rich, sweet, and often sherry-like flavor. Because raisins are concentrated in sugar and flavor, they produce a wine with deep body and warmth—perfect for colder seasons or when fresh fruit isn’t available. It’s popular in homemade winemaking and can be crafted using simple ingredients like raisins, water, sugar, yeast, and sometimes lemon juice or spices.

Its blessing: Hagafen, if one uses raisins that still contains some juice to the point that they excrete juice when pressed on, and not just through soaking in water.

[1] Seder 7:11; 6:9; 202:10; Ketzos Hashulchan 53:1;

[2] Seder 6:9; Michaber 208:8; Taz 208:5; Brachos 38a; Ketzos Hashulchan 53:1

[3] See Bava Basra 97a; Admur 272:2 and 7; 472:27; 600:6; Piskeiy Teshuvos 272:6 and 472:11

[4] Admur 272:2; Michaber 272:2; Bava Basra 97a

[5] This is the definition of Yayin Megito, brought in Admur, Michaber and Gemara ibid

The reason: Some suggest that since grape juice is able to eventually become wine, therefore, it is even initially valid prior to becoming wine. Others, however, negate this reason. [See Meiri on Bava Basra ibid; Rashbam in Bava Basra ibid; Shevet Halevi 9:58; ]

[6] Kneses Hagedola 1; Orchos Chaim p. 64; Kaf Hachaim 272:16

[7] Admur 272:7; 472:27 regarding four cups; Michaber 272:6; Bava Basra 97b; Shiyurei Kneses Hagedola 472 regarding four cups; Olas Shabbos 472:8 regarding four cups; Chok Yaakov 472:22; P”M 472 M”Z 10

How it is made: Raisin grape juice is only valid for Kiddush, and only receive the blessing of Hagafen, if one uses raisins that still contains some juice to the point that they excrete juice when pressed on, and not just through soaking in water. [Admur 272:7; 472:27; Chok Yaakov ibid; Rif Bava Basra 22b; Rosh Bava Basra 6:10; Rivash 9] If they are so dry that they do not excrete any juice upon being pressed on, then they are invalid for Kiddush or Hagafen. [Admur 272:7] One takes these raisins, crushes them, and soaks them in water for three days. [Admur 272:7]

[8] Admur 272:2 “Yayin Megioto”; 600:6 “Tirosh”

[9] Dvar Yehoshua 1:11; 5:5; Beir Moshe 6:53; Shvus Yitzchak Pesach in name of Rav Elyashiv; Rav Yaakov Yosef Za”l

[10] The reason: As the preservatives kill the juices ability to ferment, hence preventing it from ever becoming wine, thus negating its entire reason of validation [according to the understanding of these Poskim]. [Poskim ibid]

[11] Har Tzevi 1:158; Minchas Shlomo 1:4; Minchas Yitzchak 8:14; Shevet Halevi 9:58; Yechaveh Daas 2:35; Yeshuos Moshe 1:30; Mishneh Halachos 13:38 [Says its better to sue grape juice than today’s wines] Piskeiy Teshuvos 202; 272:6

[12] The reason: As since the grape juice was fit for fermentation and wine production prior to adding the preservatives, it therefore retains its valid state even afterwards. [Minchas Shlomo ibid] Furthermore, many grape juices today do not contain preservatives that prevent it from becoming wine, and it is still possible to ferment grape juice made today. [Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid]

[13] Piskeiy Teshuvos 272:6 that so is custom of many Gedolei Yisrael in this generation, including the Chazon Ish, Brisker Rav, Tchebiner Rav

[14] See Imrei Mordechai 8; Avnei Derech 11:30; Poskim who are in doubt as to the blessing: See P”M Pesicha Hilchos Brachas 11 [questions if congealed or frozen wine is Haeitz or Hagafen]; Minchas Yitzchak 8:14; Tzitz Eliezer 3:7; Shevet Halevi 9:39 [doubt if Shehakol or Haeitz]; Shraga Hameir 8:113; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:3; Poskim who rule that the blessing is Shehakol: Birkeiy Yosef 202:2 in name of Mahra Azulaiy based on Beis Yosef 202 that Iropi is Shehakol, brought in Kaf Hachaim 202:16; Poskim who rule that it is Hagafen: Steipler in Igros Vereshimos Kehilas Yaakov 1 Igeres 18; Rav Chaim Kanievsky based on Sukkah 12a; Baruch Omer 1 Brachos 27; Ruling of Rav Mazuz in Or Torah; Shevet Hakehasi 6:123; Birchas Reuvein Shlomo 3:7; Poskim who rule that cooked congealed wine is Hagafen: Beis Yehuda O.C.61; Yad Aaron on Tur 202:1; Kaf Hachaim 202:14; See regarding frozen liquids that they have the status of solids: Admur 158:7; Seder Netilas Yadayim 20; Rambam Tumas Ochlin 9:2; Seder Birchas Hanehnin 8:8 [that frozen liquids do not have the status of a liquid but rather as a solid regarding Tziruf for an after blessing]; Mishneh Taharos 3:1-2

Explanation: It is questionable whether frozen grape juice or wine still retains its blessing of Hagafen, or loses this blessing and rather becomes Haeitz or Shehakol. Some argue that from the fact that we find in the Mishneh and Poskim that frozen items no longer have the status of a liquid, therefore the blessing can no longer possibly be Hagafen. Others, however, argue that this solid status of a frozen item is regarding other matters of Jewish law, and does not apply to the law of blessings. Furthermore, some bring a source in the Talmud for the concept of frozen wine, hence proving that even frozen wine is still called wine and therefore she received the blessing of Hagafen. Whatever the case, this matter is not conclusive amongst the Poskim, and therefore one should do as we stated above to escape the doubt, or simply say the blessing of Shehakol which is always the correct blessing to say in a case of doubt, and in this case according to some authorities is even the initial blessing.

[15] The reason: As once a liquid freezes over it loses its status as a liquid. [Admur ibid] From this it would imply that the blessing it receives is Shehakol, like any other drink.

[16] Kaf Hachaim 202:15; Yalkut Yosef 203:10; Vezos Habracha p. 402 footnote 69

[17] See Admur 272:7; 472:27 regarding four cups; Michaber 272:6; Bava Basra 97b; Shiyurei Kneses Hagedola 472 regarding four cups; Olas Shabbos 472:8 regarding four cups; Chok Yaakov 472:22; P”M 472 M”Z 10M”B 204:34; Piskeiy Teshuvos 204:11

How it is made: Raisin grape juice is only valid for Kiddush, and only receive the blessing of Hagafen, if one uses raisins that still contains some juice to the point that they excrete juice when pressed on, and not just through soaking in water. [Admur 272:7; 472:27; Chok Yaakov ibid; Rif Bava Basra 22b; Rosh Bava Basra 6:10; Rivash 9] If they are so dry that they do not excrete any juice upon being pressed on, then they are invalid for Kiddush or Hagafen. [Admur 272:7] One takes these raisins, crushes them, and soaks them in water for three days. [Admur 272:7]