AbstractBACKGROUNDApple wine is a popular alcoholic beverage for its nutrition and fresh taste. However, the methanol existing in apple wine restricts its quality. Unfortunately, there are no methods to reduce the methanol content in fruit wine. To this end, bentonite (B), calcium chloride (CC) and their combination (B&CC) were added into apple juice in this study. The treated juice (0) and supernatant obtained by standing the juice at 25 °C for 24 h were fermented at 25 °C and 10 °C, respectively.RESULTSBentonite was an excellent methanol interrupter, a pectin retainer and a wine quality defender both at 25 and 10 °C. The lowest methanol content of 1.41 mg L−1 and higher pectin content of 84.74 mg L−1 were reached in the finished wine by B0 at 10 °C. Calcium chloride decreased pectin content, elevated methanol content and changed the profile of individual organic acids. In fact, the wine by B&CC0 at 25 °C showed dramatic changes in individual organic acids. The content of l‐malic acid and succinic acid was only 2.22% and 6.29% of the control, respectively, while the lactic acid content was 17.72 times that of the control.CONCLUSIONSIt is suggested that B0 and fermented at 10 °C was the most effective way to decrease methanol content, retain pectin content and defend wine quality. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.