In Vino Veritas:
The Unfiltered Truth About Wine and Honesty
Should we drink wine in order to speak truth? Is wine a potential antidote to fake news, political lies, and a possible solution for the geopolitical chaos we’re in? Would the world be a better place if wine took the place of Coca-Cola?
One of the more common sayings and oft quoted statements about wine is in vino veritas—“in wine, there is truth.” The sentiment comes from the fact that some people tend to have loose tongues after a glass or two. The filters that normally restrain us from blurting out exactly how we feel are down, and emotions flow more freely. Thoughts too are given free reign and tend to emerge abruptly, without having been ‘thought through’. We most certainly feel more relaxed after a couple of glasses of wine and so we tend to unleash our inner poet, allowing our philosophical whims and reflections to emerge unfettered.
But what if there’s more to this aphorism than just poetic philosophy? What if, just maybe, those who imbibe a glass or two of real wine are actually better at telling the truth than those who abstain? There is of course no way of proving this, and what would be the point, as no one would believe us anyway. It is a rather intriguing idea though, and a good topic for a doctoral thesis. Not to mention the health and ‘spiritual’ benefits everyone would derive from being one of the test subjects, invited to regularly consume real wine (in modest amounts) for the good of science.
Wine: The Elixir of Veracity?
In the meanwhile, we can note that wine has a magical way of loosening our tongues. Although this isn’t necessarily universal. One of the marks of a good spy or a diplomat is the capacity to hold their liquor. But don’t most people become a little more truthful after a glass of wine? Undoubtedly the result of lowered inhibitions, which liberates honesty. Or in certain instances, those who are normally measured in their evaluations suddenly speak starkly, directly, frankly. Not truth so much, but opinion.
And on the matter of truth, which is subjective, there’s often disagreement. What some hold as ultimate truth may be someone else’s complete fantasy. But is that really a problem? Perhaps our differing perceptions of truth are what make the world a rich tapestry of misunderstood intentions, misconstrued facts, and minor disputes. And who better to navigate this complicated landscape than someone who has had a glass (or three) of wine? Because yes, mental clarity improves (at first) with a glass or two of wine, allowing us to perceive things more clearly.
But what about being in a conversation with someone who doesn’t drink wine? They’re likely to be all buttoned-up, trying to navigate truth with the precision of a lawyer drafting a contract. Meanwhile, the wine-drinker is merrily tossing out truths, half-truths, and maybe even some borderline outright fabrications, but all with the conviction of a person who really believes they’re telling the truth (and for the record, they probably are—at least from their perspective). Is it not the wine that enables them to express their deepest, most candid thoughts having just imbibed the nectar of honesty?
Moral compass, or wine-soaked exaggeration?
It’s true that whether one tells the truth or not doesn’t hinge on the drink in their glass, but rather on the moral compass they have. Unfortunately, that compass often seems to be malfunctioning for many people these days, with its needle pointing in every direction except “honesty.” But could it be that wine restores the natural orientation of this moral compass, or does it just cloud our judgment with a rosy filter? The debate is endless, and frankly, no one cares enough to settle it.
The complex art of truth-telling
The way truth weaves its way through the tangled mess of human interactions is not a straight line—it’s more like a wine-stained map, full of twists and turns. Rashomon, the film by the Japanese director Akira Kurosawa is an excellent example of this as the ‘truth’ is recounted entirely differently by three different people with three very different (subjective) perspectives. Another quote comes to mind, which is variously attributed to Winston Churchill, WC Fields (both renowned drinkers), and James Crumley, that speaks of never trusting anyone who doesn’t drink. The underlying notion being they’re likely to be deceitful and dishonest. Following is James Crumley’s take, in all its raw candour:
“Son, never trust a man who doesn’t drink because he’s probably a self-righteous sort, a man who thinks he knows right from wrong all the time. Some of them are good men, but in the name of goodness, they cause most of the suffering in the world. They’re the judges, the meddlers. And, son, never trust a man who drinks but refuses to get drunk. They’re usually afraid of something deep down inside, either that they’re a coward or a fool or mean and violent. You can’t trust a man who’s afraid of himself. But sometimes, son, you can trust a man who occasionally kneels before a toilet. The chances are that he is learning something about humility and his natural human foolishness, about how to survive himself. It’s damned hard for a man to take himself too seriously when he’s heaving his guts into a dirty toilet bowl.”
Conclusion: Should we just all drink wine and tell the truth?
The simple answer: probably. But as with most things in life, the truth is elusive, and the line between truth and exaggeration is a fine one. Should we take solace in the notion that wine, in all its fermented glory, allows us to drop the masks we wear? Or should we be wary of the half-baked truths spilling out after a glass too many?
One thing is for sure: In a world full of opinions, perspectives, and far too many “alternative facts,” wine offers a momentary, fuzzy clarity. The truth may be subjective, but a glass of wine will certainly make you feel more comfortable with whatever version you decide to tell.
Great artists, poets, and painters have evoked the role of wine in speaking or finding truth. After a particularly reflective evening, Rainer Maria Rilke wrote in a letter to a friend: "Wine is the most logical means for expressing what is unspoken in the soul." For Rilke, wine was a medium through which he could access deeper truths, allowing him to express the profound, often elusive feelings that lay beneath the surface of everyday life. He saw it as a poetic bridge to the ineffable, helping him tap into the well of emotional depth that his poetry so often evokes.
After a night of drinking absinthe and wine, Vincent van Gogh once remarked:
"I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart." This quote was said after a particularly rowdy evening at a local tavern, where the wine seemed to fuel his passion for creating and experimenting with new colours.
Charles Baudelaire, who often drank wine to chase away melancholy, once declared: "Wine is the most beautiful invention of man. It is the only thing that makes life worth living." In his darker moments, Baudelaire turned to wine to ignite his creativity, seeing it as a source of both inspiration and escape. He often wrote about the intoxicating effect of wine, likening it to a divine muse that allowed him to transcend the ordinary world and enter a space of heightened sensuality and revelation.
In The Merry Wives of Windsor, Falstaff, a larger-than-life character, remarks:
"I will not lend thee a penny. But I will give thee a good advice. Drink and be merry." William Shakespeare’s works are rife with references to wine, as it served as a conduit for social commentary. Whether celebrating or lamenting, wine provided the characters with moments of freedom, self-expression, and philosophical reflection.
According to Ernest Hemingway, "Wine is the most civilised thing in the world." Ernest Hemingway believed that wine was the perfect tool for finding a moment of civility in the chaos, and there’s certainly some truth in that.
Wine, in its various forms, has played a role in inspiring some of the most profound, humorous, and eccentric thoughts of some of the world’s greatest artists, writers, and thinkers. Whether as a muse or a momentary escape, wine continues to be a companion in the creative process, leaving behind a legacy of both remarkable works and unforgettable quotes. In Vino Veritas!
UPCOMING WINE EVENTS
On 6 March (that’s today folks), the first wine of the Clos des Arenes will be bottled at the Mairie du 5e. On 8 March, in the Clos des Arènes itself, there is a pruning and replanting workshop starting at 10am. For both events, contact@clos-des-arenes.fr for full details.
The 2nd pruning festival for the Domaine Viticole Paris Gravelle is being held on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March 2025. For details and to sign up to participate, click here.
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My book, ‘The Hidden Vineyards of Paris’ (reviewed in Jancis Robinson’s wine blog, the Wine Economist, National Geographic Traveler UK, UK Telegraph) is available for purchase via our website and at anglophone bookshops and wine shops in Paris. You can also find it at the Musée de Montmartre and the Librairie Gourmande.
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