Wine provided for the Memorial should be real red wine as was used by the Jews in their Passover celebrations. We notice that at Matthew 26:29 Jesus refers to the “product of the vine,” which, at that time of the year, could be only fermented wine. Unadulterated red grape wine is the only appropriate reminder of Jesus’ shed blood. Christ’s blood was sufficient without additives, so the wine used should be just unsweetened, unfortified, red wine.

The emblem of red wine reminds us of how Jesus has served as our Ransomer in that we have been delivered by the “precious blood” of Jesus (1 Pet. 1:19); and how his lifeblood was used to validate the new covenant into which his joint heirs are brought (1 Cor. 11:25). While those of the “great crowd” do not partake of the emblems, they are reminded of the benefits of Jesus’ action and of the new covenant through which many benefits result to them. (Rev. 7:9, 10, 14) Truly, Jehovah has arranged for our deliverance through the atoning power of Christ’s sacrifice, not only for the anointed ones but also for all those given the opportunity to gain everlasting life here on earth.​—Lev. 16:11; 1 John 2:2.