#5994 – The Spirit of the Spirits?
See question above: I was recently at a very nice Sheva Brachot from a well to do family, and they served an exquisite meal with also a very unusual expensive wine. A disagreement arose between the guest if it is necessary or even recommended to recite the blessing of Hatov Vehametiv on such a special wine?
Poskim write that we actually do recite the bracha of Hatov Vehametiv (or HaTov VeHaMeitiv) on wine, but only under very specific and special circumstances, such as when a second, real better wine is brought to the table while some of the first wine is still available. ( Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 49:12, Mishna Brurah 175:3 Shulchan Aruch 175:1
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 49:13, and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 49:10. )
Poskim also add that: this blessing is rarely recited in practice because Jewish law requires several strict conditions to be met at the same time, such as: There must be at least two people drinking together, as a single person drinking alone does not recite it. Both wines should be present: The second wine wine must be of an equal or superior quality to the first.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Y. Hirshman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu, Horav Kalman Ochs, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting, Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
Answered by: Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Published: July 11, 2026