Daf TB Avodah Zarah 56 When does it become wine?

Today’s daf TB Avodah Zarah 56 presents three different opinions (but we can point to a fourth of opinion too) concerning the demarcation line in determining the status of wine in the production of wine. The production of wine in Talmudic times consisted of a winepress where the grapes were placed in order to be squeezed and a pit that collected the liquid. The winepress was sloped so the liquid would flow down into the pit. Either the pit was lined or there was some kind of vessel the liquid would flow into.

Knowing when the liquid became wine was important because of the prohibition of yayin nesekh- יֵין נֶסֶךְ , wine used for idolatrous libation. A Jew is forbidden to drink nor derive any benefit from yayin nesekh. The four opinions are:

1.    The Mishnah on daf TB Avodah Zarah 55 teaches, “And the gentile’s touch does not render the juice of the grapes wine used for a libation in idol worship, which is forbidden, until it descends into the collection vat, because until then it does not have the status of wine.” (Sefaria.org translation)

2.    “Rav Huna says: With regard to wine, once it begins to flow toward the exit from the winepress it can become wine used for a libation in idol worship if touched by a gentile.” (Sefaria.org translation)

One must separate terumah and ma’aserot, different tithes, before one may drink the finished product of wine. Consequently, knowing the final status of wine is just as important as in the case of yayin nesekh.

3.    “With regard to wine, one is obligated to separate tithes from the time that the wine descends into the collection vat and the seeds float on top” (Sefaria.org translation)

4.    “Rabbi Akiva says: One is obligated to separate tithes only from the time that one siphons the wine from the vat into barrels. (This occurs after removing the sediment-gg)” (Sefaria.org. Translation)

As you can see, each source defines the status of wine later and later in the process. For your enjoyment, follow the link and see Lucille Ball stomping on grapes in a winepress.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUxjOS3g6Uc