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Silly question; I know you're supposed to drink some wine on shabbat, but is there any particular type that's recommended or required?

Er. The blessing of ha-gafen ('the vine') does mention 'fruit of the vine', but it doesn't apply to everything that grows on a vine. In fact, only grape wine, grape juice, or fresh grapes are included. Not even raisins get the ha-gafen blessing. Certainly not blackberries, tomatoes, melons, or squash. Those items get a slightly more generic blessing called ha-adamah ('the earth', fruit of the earth).

Only kosher food and drink is permitted to receive a blessing. If obligated to eat or drink something that isn't kosher, you would not recite a blessing if you're Jewish. If you're not Jewish but are studying towards conversion, the same would apply: since we've been told what the dietary laws are, and that other foods are not meant for Jews to eat, we shouldn't say a blessing over eating them if we find it necessary to do so. That's like a thief saying "Thanks!" while stealing something, it's an insult to the original owner (Hashem).

If you are a non-Jew practicing the Jewish religion as it applies to non-Jews (if you are a ben Noach or bat Noach, a son/daughter of Noah), you could say a blessing over any food if you want to say it, but you don't have to say a special type of blessing; anything will work. I've got a friend who's Bat Noach, and she says "Blessed are you, Lord our God, sovereign of the universe... (the words that begin virtually all blessings) ...who open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." That's got a scriptural reference, but I don't know it off the top of my head, and it's very late, so I'm going to bed. Good night. smile

Try one of the Rashi wines, such as Moscato D'Asti (a white). I'm not up on red wines, but I understand that Castel makes a merlot that isn't as bitter as most merlots.

A very stupid question, but if I really hate alcohol, would (kosher) grape juice still be a proper substitute? sweatdrop

Yes, absolutely. It's strongly encouraged for children to use kosher grape juice instead of wine. Also, for (recovering, please God!) alcoholics, those taking medication with which it is unsafe to drink alcohol, before driving, or if one has an alcohol allergy or intolerance. Even if one simply doesn't like the taste of alcohol, plain kosher grape juice is fine, since wine is a symbol of rejoicing, and one can't rejoice properly if one is thinking, "Yuck, this stuff tastes nasty."

If one has an allergy, intolerance, or dislike for all grape products, one may use other forms of alcohol, such as whiskey. If one can use neither alcohol nor grape products, other fruit juices are also acceptable. However, note that in the case of non-grape-based alcohol or juices, one should make the blessing of she-ha-kol instead of ha-gafen (Blessed are you, Lord our God, sovereign of the universe... by whose word all things were caused to be.)

Awesome; thanks!