Is Diluted Light Grape Juice Kosher for Kiddush ?

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QUESTION: In a previous Halacha Yomis you wrote that at home one should add only a minimal amount of water to grape juice that will be used for Kiddush, because it might change the taste. What about light grape juice that is already manufactured and contains about 33% water? Is that acceptable for Kiddush? 

ANSWER: Rav Belsky, zt”l held that one may use light grape juice for Kiddush. Regular grape juice loses much of its taste when diluted with water. Therefore, one should be careful not to overly water down their grape juice, such that it will cause a substantial change in taste. If one adds only 20-25% water, it seems that this should be fine. However, light grape juice is not made from regular grapes. Rather, it is produced from specially selected grapes that have a strong flavor, and the juice has a very intense taste. This juice can be watered down more effectively without losing its taste. Since many people actually prefer the taste of the less sugary light grape juice, this is considered an acceptable meziga (dilution), and therefore, it is acceptable for Kiddush.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.