I was actually thinking of specific compounds, one being resveratrol; it and other antioxidants are present in greater or equal amounts in fresh grapes and work

I was actually thinking of specific compounds, one being resveratrol; it and other antioxidants are present in greater or equal amounts in fresh grapes and work as effectively in that form. It's true that some things need to work in conjunction; calcium absorption is rubbish without vitamin D, and vitamin D is fat soluble so it needs to be eaten with fat. But I've never heard of alcohol being necessary for any absorption process.