I believe the Bible teaches that there are three kinds of wines.
#1. Fermented Wine (Strong in alcoholic content)
(Proverbs 20:1) (Proverbs 23:31) (1 Timothy 3:1-3).
#2. Fermented Wine Diluted by Water (Low in alcoholic content)
(Proverbs 9:2) (1 Timothy 5:23).
#3. Unfermented Wine or Freshly Squeezed Grape Juice (A non intoxicating beverage)
(Genesis 40:11) (Isaiah 65:8) (Deuteronomy 32:14) (Matthew 26:29).
I believe the Israelite bought, stored, and transported intoxicating fermented wine (Wine Type #1), and they used it to purify water, and ease pain, etc.; But when it came time to drink it for social reasons, or to have with a meal, they diluted it with several parts of water (Wine Type #2). History confirms this. Also, the Bible alludes to this fact, as well.
Wine mixed (diluted) with Water Verses:
Revelation 14:10 says,
“The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb”
(Contrast this with Psalms 75:8)
1 Timothy 5:23 says,
"Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."
Proverbs 9:2 (NIV) says,
"She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table."
Proverbs 23:31 - Do not look at wine when it is red.
John 19:34 - Blood and water mingled together from Christ's side; And Scripture essentially says the wine in the Lord's supper is representative of Jesus's blood (See Matthew 26:27-29). The water is representative of the Scriptures (See
Ephesians 5:26). We are told to abide in Christ and abide in His words (See
John 15:7).
Isaiah 1:22 CJB
“Your silver is no longer pure, your wine is watered down.”
Pure silver, which would be too soft to be durable, is mixed with 5-20% copper in an alloy known as sterling silver.
How silver is made - material, making, history, used, processing, industry
If one were to take note: One has to mix copper in silver in order for it to be durable so as to be used. Just as one must use water in their mixture of wine to drink it more safely like an Israelite.
So the idea here is that the silver (mixed with copper) they use has become so dross (or watered down it is then cheap. Just as the wine (mixed with water) is diluted even more whereby it is cheap wine to the Israelite.
Wine could be carried in an undiluted state within leather skin like bottles and then later mixed with water for use. Timothy was told to use a little wine in his water because of the infirmities in his stomach. Paul was telling him to use Biblical wine so as to resolve a medical issue.
Extra Biblical Sources on how wine was mixed with water:
2 Maccabees 15:39, Talmud, and Justin Martyr, etc.
Jesus made and only drank unfermented wine (a non-intoxicating beverage) (Wine Type #3). There are six reasons in Scripture that supports this fact (See my
post #62).
Side Note:
Also, please see my two challenging statements (with Scripture) in
Post #150. I would like to see how you would respond to them using the Bible.