Wine is a pleasure when you don’t abuse it – a fact that Italians know all too well! Whether they be dining out, in the company of friends, or at an aperitivo, Italians never miss the opportunity to enjoy a glass of God’s nectar.
It goes without saying that wine is profoundly rooted in Italian culture. And so, for this reason, many Italian sayings and proverbs about wine have arisen across the peninsula. Let’s take a look at a few of them now.
Italian Proverbs about Wine from Roman Times
Since the Roman Times, Italy has been known for its vineyards and the quality of its grapes and wine. Bacchus, the ancient Greek god of wine and festivity, was among the most respected and important gods in ancient Rome. Let’s see how folkloristic thoughts have developed around this drink, also known among the Romans as the nectar of the gods.
Ne uccide più Bacco che Marte.
English translation: Bacchus is more lethal than Martes.
This saying draws an analogy between what the two divinities represent. On one side, there’s a form of chaos characterised by wine, perdition, and bacchanals. On the other, the god of war is renowned for battles and duels. Both of them are dangerous in their own way, and their values, pushed to the extreme, have the potential to unleash destruction and suffering. Yet, Bacchus has a more subtle way of influencing people, making him much more lethal than Martes.
In Vino Veritas
English translation: Truth in wine
This is an evergreen proverb, that even nowadays is widely known and used in Italy. It has been passed down through the generations as it is, in Latin. What Plinius the Elder meant with these words was that when you drink wine, your mind is free, your heart is open, and it’s much easier for the truth to slip from your mouth.
Chi non può dormire con Venere dorma con Bacco.
English translation: He who can’t sleep with Venus, can sleep with Bacchus.
This is a lesser used saying which highlights the fact that even without love and passion, sleep can come in other ways, such as with Bacchus’ gifts.
Other Italian Sayings about Wine as a Means of Control
In some cases, especially in the past, wine not only was a pleasure but also a means of control. It could help you understand who was loyal and trustworthy, and who wasn’t. That’s why, during the time, sayings such as the following were born.
Chi non beve in compagnia o è un ladro o è una spia.
English translation: He who does not drink in company is a thief or a spy.
And this was mainly because, if you were separate from a group or on your own, you could be a conspirator. You could risk being perceived as a spy or someone who was conspiring against them. Likewise, spies could not drink, as remaining sober was the only way to obtain reliable information.
Amicizia stretta dal vino non dura da sera a mattino.
English translation: A friendship forged in wine does not last from evening until morning.
This is quite true for many reasons. During a night of drinking, you get to know complete strangers, and in the moment, you might even think of them as your best friends. But everything vanishes when you wake up the day after.
Per far un amico basta un bicchier di vino, per conservarlo è poca una botte.
English translation: A glass of wine is enough to make a friend, but a wine barrel is not enough to keep a friend.
This proverb suggests how easy it is to meet people and enjoy your time with them over a glass of wine. But that time is fleeting and does not always lead to a longterm friendship.
Un po’ di vino lo stomaco assesta, il troppo rovina stomaco e testa.
English translation: A bit of wine settles the stomach, too much ruins both the head and stomach.
This is even truer when the wine is sub-par: it can hit hard even after a couple of glasses!
Chi del vino è amico, di sé stesso è nemico.
English translation: He who is a friend of wine, is an enemy of himself.
This expression implies that drinking without knowing when to rein oneself in means running the risk of damaging one’s health and consequently shortening one’s life.
Other Italian Sayings & Proverbs about Wine
Nelle botti piccole c’è il vino buono.
English translation: In the small barrels there is good wine.
This proverb, widely used in Italy, does not relate so much to wine as it does to people. Particularly, it refers to people who are short, small or at first sight, seemingly unimportant, but in actual fact, have much better qualities, expertise or values than other people.
Se la vite fiorisce d’aprile, non sperar di riempire il barile.
English translation: If the vine blooms in April, do not expect to fill the barrel.
This refers to the period of the blooming of the vine. It is generally around May and June, but if it occurs earlier than expected, there will be fewer grapes and, as a result, less wine.
Botte buona fa buon vino.
English translation: A good barrel makes good wine.
It is well-known just how important the material of the barrels is for the production of beer and wine. This is why good wine can only come from a good barrel.
Ben sa la botte di qual vino è piena.
English translation: The barrel knows well with which wine it is filled.
This proverb suggests that you know yourself better than anyone else.
Quando la volpe non arriva all’uva, dice che è acerba.
English translation: When the fox can’t reach the grape, he says it is sour.
One of the most common proverbs about wine in Italy, it is extrapolated from the renowned fable by Aesop: “The fox and the grape”. With this saying, Italians depict a situation where someone is not able to get what they want, and for this reason, they find excuses, taunting and devaluing what some moments earlier they were praising to the world.
L’acqua fa male e il vino fa cantare.
English translation: Water is bad for you and wine makes you sing.
This proverb, which rhymes in Italian, wants to show the effects of both water and wine on people. We’re not quite sure why water is labelled as being bad however!
Pane fa panza, vino fa danza.
English translation: Bread makes you fat, wine makes you dance.
On this account, there’s little to add. While bread fills only your belly, wine has a much more influential power over your mind and soul.
Quando il vino rende lieti, se ne fuggono i segreti.
English translation: When the wine makes us happy, secrets escape.
This Italian saying wants to remind us how the nectar of the gods can be tricksy. It can free your spirit and cause you lose control over your thoughts and what you say.
To conclude, I’ll leave you with this quote from Federico Fellini, an Italian movie director, with an analogy about wine and movies:
“A good wine is like a good movie: it lasts an instant and leaves in your mouth a taste of glory; It’s new at every sip, and, as happens with movies, it was born again and again in every taster.”
Un buon vino è come un buon film: dura un istante e ti lascia in bocca un sapore di gloria; è nuovo ad ogni sorso e, come avviene con i film, nasce e rinasce in ogni assaggiatore.
– Federico Fellini
About the author: Fabio Guarino
As a Linguist and Language Specialist, working as a Freelance Content Writer and SEO Marketer allows me to combine my passions and interests with my career. My favourite thing about working with languages is playing with words. And this is something I’ve always dreamed about since I started to wander the globe and study languages.
Fabio Guarino is a Linguist and Language Specialist who operates as a Freelance Content Writer and SEO Marketer. He considers himself fortunate to be able to blend his passion for his native language, Italian, along with English and Spanish, with his career.
