The 21 Most Interesting Wine Quotes

Wine has long been seen as a sign of class and sophistication. Until you’ve had too much, then it has nothing to do with class and sophistication! This is why at wine tasting parties, no one actually drinks wine. They just take a mouthful, swish it around, discreetly spit it out in a designated spitoon and talk about notes of vanilla with an oaky finish.

Coming off as a well educated oenophile is often seen as shorthand for being wealthy and highbrowed. Wine isn’t your usual beverage. The flavors are complex and can take years to cultivate properly.

A lot has been said about wine, by real people and those in fiction. Let’s look at a few! In the United States, one has to be twenty-one years of age to have wine or any alcoholic beverage.

Wine Quotes

Here are twenty-one quotes about wine in honor of the drinking age. Cheers!

(1) In victory, you deserve Champagne. In defeat, you need it. — Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon was someone who certainly knew both victory and defeat. He also knew Champagne. Champagne that is legitimately called Champagne is sparkling white wine made in the Champagne region of France. Anywhere else, it’s just sparkling white wine.

(2) I never drink…wine. — Count Dracula

Count Dracula, in this portrayal by Bela Lugosiin in the 1931 Universal film Dracula, is a man of wealth and sophistication who treats his guests well. Though he never partakes of the drink himself, he is hospitable enough to offer it. But that pause is telling….

(3) In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria. — Benjamin Franklin

Franklin was an educated man of science, but he liked to party too. While he appreciates his drink (in moderation) Franklin also points out the practical reason for alcoholic drinks. In those days, they were safer to drink than the water.

(4) An unhappy wife is a wine merchant’s best friend. — Cersei Lannister

Cersei of Game of Thrones can often be found nose deep in a goblet. Her family is enough to drive anyone to drink! She is what many would call a “wine mom”. That explains a few things about Joffrey.

(5) “When a man drinks wine at dinner, he begins to be better pleased with himself.” — Plato

Plato, like many men of Ancient Greece, liked a glass of wine with dinner. The Symposium was all about drinking wine and talking about philosophy. Of course, wine in Ancient Greece was often watered down and getting drunk was considered barbaric.

(6) It’s not drunk driving if you’re only drinking wine! — France

France of the anime Hetalia: Axis Powers, as expected of his country, loves wine. He loves it so much, he leaves some out for Santa! The only other Nation who loves wine as much as France is probably Italy who sings about it. Which brings us to this proverb….

(7) Anni e bicchieri di vino non si contano mai = Age and glasses of wine should never be counted. — Italian Proverb

This proverb sums up the Italian spirit. If you are enjoying something, why drag pesky mathematics into it? Don’t let anyone tell you what you’re too old to do! Enjoy yourself and have another glass of wine!

(8) Jean-Luc, here is a little of the ’47. Do not drink it all at once, and if possible, try not to drink it alone. — Robert Picard

Even Starfleet captains need a vacation. Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation felt a need to go home to his family’s vinyard after one particularly harrowing space adventure. His brother Robert reminded him that it’s not good to be too aloof.

(9) Wine rejoices the heart of man and joy is the mother of all virtues. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

It’s not only the French and the Italians who love their wine. The celebrated German poet and playwright Goethe liked his wine as well. He knew that wine could make people happy, and happy people did good things.

(10) “ pray you, do not fall in love with me, For I am falser than vows made in wine. — Rosalind/Ganymede

In William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Rosalind disguises herself as a page boy named Ganymede and warns off Phoebe, who has a crush on the faux boy with this double entendre. It’s also a warning against making promises while drunk.

(11) A Book of Verses underneath the Bough, A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread-and Thou — Omar Khayyam

In his famous love poem, Khayyam sings of a desire to return to the simplicity of Paradise. He yearns for a world where all he needs is his poetry, some simple, homey food, a good wine and the love of his life. Who could ask for more?

(12) That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold; what hath quenched them hath given me fire — Lady Macbeth

Let us return to The Bard. In Macbeth, Lord and Lady Macbeth get King Duncan and his guards drunk on wine so they can kill the king in his sleep. Sounds easy, until you’re actually holding a knife over a man’s throat. Lady Macbeth needs a swig to cope with what she’s involved in.

(13) I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food. ― W.C. Fields

Wine is often an ingredient in Haute Cuisine. Heat cooks out the alcohol, leaving only the flavor. Fields would probably say “Then what’s the point?” He obviously loved his wine just they way it was.

(14) I can certainly see that you know your wine. Most of the guests who stay here wouldn’t know the difference between Bordeaux and Claret. ― Basil Fawlty

As James Bond pointed out in Diamonds are Forever, Bordeaux and Claret are the same thing. It’s unlikely the bumbling star of the British sitcom Fawlty Towers knew this. The term “claret” is more generic, as Bordeaux, like Champagne, is named after where it is made.

(15) “Men are like wine – some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age.” ― Pope John XXIII

Even the Pope loves his wine. This particular pop mused that many people were like wine. Some improved with age, some just turned to vinegar. Of course, he preferred the ones that aged like a high quality wine.

(16) The time is near, So near it’s stirring the blood in their veins! And yet beware, Don’t let the wine go to your brains! — Enjolras

In Claude-Michel Schönberg’s take on Les Misérables, the song “Red and Black” compares the passions of young men to that of strong, intoxicating wine. Enjolras, for all his passion, does encourage keeping one’s wits about. He may be giving Graintaire a rather pointed look with this line.

(17) Fish must swim three times: once in the water, a second time in the sauce, and a third time in wine in the stomach. — French Proverb

The French love their wine, but they also love their food in general. They are not shy when it comes to slathering on the sauce. There’s even a type of chef, the saucier, whose specialty is sauces. And of course, the meal must be accompanied by a good wine.

(18) A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti. — Hannibal Lecter

We’re not saying you should perform cannibalism, but if you must, just remember that organ meats pair well with this rustic Italian wine with earthy notes. Actor Anthony Hopkins while filming Silence of the Lambs ad libbed the unsettling sound effect that accompanies this famous quote.

(19) I shall drink no wine before it’s time. Ok, it’s time. – Groucho Marx

Groucho Marx isn’t the first person we think of when we think of culture and refinement. In fact, he poked fun at such things. He did, however, like a good glass of wine. Anytime is a good time for wine!

(20) She keeps Moët et Chandon In her pretty cabinet. — Queen

If you have a luxury champagne as fancy as Moët et Chandon, you may as well keep it someplace nice. Freddy Mercury said that his song “Killer Queen” is about a high class call girl. Girls can be sexy and still have some class.

(21) Wine represents to me sharing and good times and a celebration of life. It is always around happy occasions with family and friends and centered around joy. — Dan Aykroyd

Video: WINE 101 FOR BEGINNERS PART 1

Watch this discussion between Jlielinh Mouret and Simone Bergese, Executive Winemaker at Chateau Elan Winery, as he discusses everything you need to know about wine. You will learn some really important things, including:

– differences between east coast versus west coast grapes/wine
– key factors that dictate the price of a bottle of wine
– what does vintage mean and how important is it when it comes to selecting a bottle of wine
– what are tannins
– what causes headaches and hangovers
– the price point you need to be at if you are looking for a “very good” bottle of domestic or imported wine

Conclusion

The comedian, actor, writer and ghostbuster Dan Akyroyd knew the only way to make a good time better was to add a little wine. Sophisticated? Who cares when you’re having a good time!

So that was twenty-one interesting quotes about wine.

Some are as highbrow as the fancy, sophistacated world that wine is associated with. Some are just some notes from the peanut gallery.

In any case, wine is in turns both exciting and can be bad if you drink too much and have a bad hangover and do things you shouldn’t do when you are drink. Everyone has their own opinion about wine. These were the most thought provoking quotes we enjoyed and wanted to share with you today.