The discovery of a wine is of greater moment than the discovery of a constellation. The universe is too full of stars.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Remember gentlemen, it is not just France we are fighting for, it is Champagne
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Bacchus, that first from out the purple grape Crushed the sweet poison of misused wine.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
Champagne, if you are seeking the truth, is better than a lie detector. It encourages a man to be expansive, even reckless, while lie detectors are only a challenge to tell lies successfully.
—Graham Greene (1904–91) British Novelist, Playwright, Short Story Writer
For a bad night, a mattress of wine
—Spanish Proverb
Wine has drowned more than the sea.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Let first the onion flourish there,
Rose among roots, the maiden-fair,
Wine-scented and poetic soul
Of the capacious salad bowl.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
When a man drinks wine at dinner, he begins to be better pleased with himself.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
We hear of the conversion of water into wine at the marriage in Cana as of a miracle. But this conversion is, through the goodness of God, made every day before our eyes. Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, and which incorporates itself with the grapes, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Oh, wherefore come ye forth in triumph from the north, With your hands, and your feet, and your raiment all red? And wherefore doth your rout send forth a joyous shout? And whence be the grapes of the wine-press which ye tread?
—Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay (1800–59) English Historian, Essayist, Philanthropist
One should write not unskillfully in the running hand, be able to sing in a pleasing voice, and keep good time to music; and, lastly, a man should not refuse a little wine when it is pressed upon him.
—Yoshida Kenko (1283–1352) Japanese Poet, Essayist
When the wine is in, the wit is out.
—Common Proverb
Up to the age of forty eating is beneficial. After forty, drinking.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
As fermenting in a vessel works up to the top whatever it has in the bottom, so wine, in those who have drunk beyond measure, vents the most inward secrets.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
Give me wine to wash me clean of the weather-stains of care.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
An old wine-bibber having been smashed in a railway collision, some wine was poured on his lips to revive him. “Pauillac, 1873,” he murmured and died.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
I love everything that’s old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines; and, I believe, Dorothy, you’ll own I have been pretty fond of an old wife.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
How simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea… . All that is required to feel that here and now is happiness is a simple, frugal heart.
—Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957) Greek Novelist, Poet, Dramatist
Wine fills the heart with courage.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
The flavor of wine is like delicate poetry
—Louis Pasteur (1822–95) French Biologist
Reality is an illusion that occurs due to a lack of wine.
—Anonymous
In water one sees ones own face; But in wine, one beholds the heart of another.
—French Proverb
Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the water they loved to drink. This good man, Noah, having seen that all his contemporaries had perished by this unpleasant drink, took a dislike to it; and G-d, to relieve his dryness, created the vine and revealed to him the art of making wine. By the aid of this liquid, he revealed more and more truth.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
When night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
I drank a bottle of wine for company. It was Chateau Margaux. It was pleasant to be drinking slowly and to be tasting the wine and to be drinking alone. A bottle of wine was good company.
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American Author, Journalist, Short Story Writer
Presenting the cork is wine nonsense, a ritual invented by captains and sommeliers. The wine snob does not resent ritual. There is infinite ritual in the etiquette of serving wine. But most of it at least hints at style or purpose. Placing an unsightly cork on the tablecloth hints at absurdity.
—Leonard Bernstein (1918–90) American Composer, Conductor
It was a wine jar when the molding began: as the wheel runs round why does it turn out a water pitcher?
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Wine gives courage and makes men more apt for passion.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
It was not the wine, murmured Mr. Snodgrass, in a broken voice. It was the salmon.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
I was in love with a beautiful blonde once. She drove me to drink; that is the one thing I am indebted to her for.
—W. C. Fields (1880–1946) American Comedian, Actor, Writer
Leave a Reply