Q. Does the bracha on grape juice include other beverages, or only wine?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 272: 2) rules that one can squeeze a cluster of grapes and recite on the product Kiddush. Mishna Berura (ibid. 6) adds that even if it was just squeezed before the beginning of Shabbos it is considered wine. Although, proper fermented wine is preferred on the onset for Kiddush and the Four Cups at the Seder, many Poskim permit grape juice when in need. The above permitted uses apply to natural grape juice. Reconstituted grape juice has other Halacha limitations.
See also Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 202: 1) for a similar ruling.
It follows, that just as when blessing the brocho on wine it includes all other beverages and drinks to be consumed (ibid.), so does the blessing on grape juice.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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