Question:
Can someone use grape juice labeled as white but is actually a brown color for kiddush lichahillah on friday night?
Answer:
It seems to be controversial, because it isn’t white but on the other hand it is still not as good as red. See sources. As a side point if you are looking to make kiddush l’chatcila, it is better to use wine than grape juice.
Sources:
Aruch Hashulchan 272-2, Ketzos Hashulchan 80 ftnt. 1. There is controversy if the reason that red wine is better is because of its color or because of its quality. See Dror Yikra pg. 350-351, in the name of R’ Eliyashiv zt”l that people that enjoy yellow (white) grape juice, and it’s quality is not inferior to red grape juice that they may make Kiddush on it since the main aspect of red is it’s quality, not its color, and nowadays the quality is the name. On the other hand see Shulchan Shlomo 272 ftnt. on seif 4, that it is not merely because of the color but because in essence it is better.
