Although it could not be consumed by Jews , they could trade in it (Tosfot to San. 63b; Isserles to Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 123.1). Sephardic Jews did not follow this practice and had no pressing need to do so, as they were not involved in extensive wine growing and lived among Moslems , whose consumption of wine was limited (Maimonides , Responsa 11,#448; Tur Yoreh Deah 124).
Despite these friendly views, all of the traditional authorities made it quite clear that major distinctions continue to exist between Judaism and Christianity . Maimonides felt that we should restrict our relationships with Christians (Yad Hil. Akum 10.2) and also prohibited Jews from dealing in Christian wine(Yad Maakhalot Asurot 17). He and all the other medieval authorities thought that both Christianity and Islam had strange concepts(shituf) which impinged on the absolute unity of God (Isserles to Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayim 156; Maimonides , Peer Hador 50, etc.). In secular relationships Christians could be treated as b'nei noah, but in religious matters, distinctions were to remain.
Jay Berkowitz in his recent book has demonstrated Rabbi Aaron Worms of Metz in his address to the Assembly provided the halakhic arguments for a modern understanding of the Gentile world. Quoting earlier rabbinic sources from Maimonides and Meiri onward, he demonstrated that the Talmudic rejection of an unethical pagan world and its system of courts could not be applied to contemporary Christians who were law abiding and ethical. They were to be placed
into the category of Noahides and as monotheists and as brothers.'™
All of this was useful in establishing the relationship between Jews and Frenchmen , but the question of intermarriage required and received a different response. The distinction between civil marriage and the religious ceremony was clearly stated in the published discussions. The Jew in this relationship remained a Jew, though how viewed was not mentioned.