Wine shows up everywhere in medieval Latin—at feasts, in moral warnings, and in quick lines meant to be remembered. Here are ten medieval Latin wine proverbs, along with their English translation and a short note on what each one suggests.
1. Vinum da docto, laico de flumine cocto; Ille bibat vinum, qui scit formare Latinum.
Translation: Give wine to the learned, water cooked from the river to the layman; Let him drink wine who knows how to shape Latin.
Explanation: This proverb highlights the idea that wine, symbolising sophistication and culture, is suited for those educated and knowledgeable (the learned), while the uninitiated (laymen) might make do with simpler fare, here metaphorically described as “water cooked from the river.” It also implies that true appreciation (of wine or language) requires skill and understanding.
2. Vinum dat festum, frigus convertit in estum, Letificat mestum, parcum quoque reddit honestum.
Translation: Wine gives celebration, turns coldness into warmth, It cheers the sad, and even makes the thrifty honest.
Explanation: This proverb captures the uplifting and transformative power of wine. It warms both body and spirit, bringing joy to sorrow and loosening the tight-fisted, encouraging generosity and festivity.
3. Vinum lusorum, mulieres presbiterorum, Panis perfusus spectat usus communis.
Translation: The wine of players, the wives of priests, The soaked bread observes common use.
Explanation: Though a bit cryptic, this saying may allude to social roles and customs involving wine, company, and shared food.
4. Vinum saepe facit, quod homo neque “bu” neque “ba” scit.
Translation: Wine often makes a man do what he neither can say “bu” nor “ba”.
Explanation: This proverb wittily points to the effects of wine on speech and behaviour, suggesting that under its influence, people may act or say things they normally cannot articulate properly.
5. Vinum subtile creat in sene cor iuvenile, Sed vinum vile reddit iuvenile senem.
Translation: Subtle wine creates a youthful heart in the old man, But vile wine makes a young man old.
Explanation: This saying contrasts the positive and negative effects of good and bad wine. Quality wine can rejuvenate the spirit, while poor wine can prematurely age or wear out even the young.
6. Non fit botrus ita vinum, nisi sit pede trita.
Translation: The grape does not become wine unless it is crushed by the foot.
Explanation: A practical proverb illustrating that transformation—like that of grape to wine—requires effort or ‘pressure.’ It can metaphorically apply to many processes of change in life.
7. Omnis homo primum praeponat nobile vinum.
Translation: Every man should first prefer noble wine.
Explanation: A straightforward recommendation valuing quality over quantity, encouraging the choice of fine wine above all.
8. Per primum potum vinum non est mihi notum; Per potum binum non possum noscere vinum; Non laudo vina, nisi pocula sint mihi trina; Per potum quartum, iam mens mea tendit in altum.
Translation: After the first drink, wine is not known to me; After the second, I cannot recognise the wine; I do not praise wines unless I have three cups; After the fourth, my mind already tends upwards.
Explanation: A humorous take on how one’s perception of wine changes with increasing consumption, leading eventually to an elevated state of mind or in other words, intoxication.
9. Si bene ferre potes vinum potum, bene potes! Sed bene non potes, quod male ferre potes.
Translation: If you can well bear the drinking of wine, you can do well! But you cannot do well because you bear it badly.
Explanation: A cautionary note on moderation: if you can handle wine well, it benefits you; if not, it harms you.
10. Vos, qui potatis, hunc morem ferre sciatis: Esca datur gratis; mos est, vinum quod ematis.
Translation: You who drink, know to observe this custom: Food is given freely; the custom is that you buy the wine.
Explanation: This proverb highlights a social etiquette where guests might expect food to be provided freely, but it is customary for them to purchase wine, underscoring shared responsibility and hospitality.
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon. Click here to view his website.
By Lorris Chevalier
Wine shows up everywhere in medieval Latin—at feasts, in moral warnings, and in quick lines meant to be remembered. Here are ten medieval Latin wine proverbs, along with their English translation and a short note on what each one suggests.
1. Vinum da docto, laico de flumine cocto; Ille bibat vinum, qui scit formare Latinum.
Translation: Give wine to the learned, water cooked from the river to the layman; Let him drink wine who knows how to shape Latin.
Explanation: This proverb highlights the idea that wine, symbolising sophistication and culture, is suited for those educated and knowledgeable (the learned), while the uninitiated (laymen) might make do with simpler fare, here metaphorically described as “water cooked from the river.” It also implies that true appreciation (of wine or language) requires skill and understanding.
2. Vinum dat festum, frigus convertit in estum, Letificat mestum, parcum quoque reddit honestum.
Translation: Wine gives celebration, turns coldness into warmth, It cheers the sad, and even makes the thrifty honest.
Explanation: This proverb captures the uplifting and transformative power of wine. It warms both body and spirit, bringing joy to sorrow and loosening the tight-fisted, encouraging generosity and festivity.
3. Vinum lusorum, mulieres presbiterorum, Panis perfusus spectat usus communis.
Translation: The wine of players, the wives of priests, The soaked bread observes common use.
Explanation: Though a bit cryptic, this saying may allude to social roles and customs involving wine, company, and shared food.
4. Vinum saepe facit, quod homo neque “bu” neque “ba” scit.
Translation: Wine often makes a man do what he neither can say “bu” nor “ba”.
Explanation: This proverb wittily points to the effects of wine on speech and behaviour, suggesting that under its influence, people may act or say things they normally cannot articulate properly.
5. Vinum subtile creat in sene cor iuvenile, Sed vinum vile reddit iuvenile senem.
Translation: Subtle wine creates a youthful heart in the old man, But vile wine makes a young man old.
Explanation: This saying contrasts the positive and negative effects of good and bad wine. Quality wine can rejuvenate the spirit, while poor wine can prematurely age or wear out even the young.
6. Non fit botrus ita vinum, nisi sit pede trita.
Translation: The grape does not become wine unless it is crushed by the foot.
Explanation: A practical proverb illustrating that transformation—like that of grape to wine—requires effort or ‘pressure.’ It can metaphorically apply to many processes of change in life.
7. Omnis homo primum praeponat nobile vinum.
Translation: Every man should first prefer noble wine.
Explanation: A straightforward recommendation valuing quality over quantity, encouraging the choice of fine wine above all.
8. Per primum potum vinum non est mihi notum; Per potum binum non possum noscere vinum; Non laudo vina, nisi pocula sint mihi trina; Per potum quartum, iam mens mea tendit in altum.
Translation: After the first drink, wine is not known to me; After the second, I cannot recognise the wine; I do not praise wines unless I have three cups; After the fourth, my mind already tends upwards.
Explanation: A humorous take on how one’s perception of wine changes with increasing consumption, leading eventually to an elevated state of mind or in other words, intoxication.
9. Si bene ferre potes vinum potum, bene potes! Sed bene non potes, quod male ferre potes.
Translation: If you can well bear the drinking of wine, you can do well! But you cannot do well because you bear it badly.
Explanation: A cautionary note on moderation: if you can handle wine well, it benefits you; if not, it harms you.
10. Vos, qui potatis, hunc morem ferre sciatis: Esca datur gratis; mos est, vinum quod ematis.
Translation: You who drink, know to observe this custom: Food is given freely; the custom is that you buy the wine.
Explanation: This proverb highlights a social etiquette where guests might expect food to be provided freely, but it is customary for them to purchase wine, underscoring shared responsibility and hospitality.
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon. Click here to view his website.
Click here to read more from Lorris Chevalier
Further Reading:
Werner, Jakob. Lateinische Sprichwörter und Sinnsprüche des Mittelalters, aus Handschriften gesammelt. 1912.
Top Image: Bibliothèque nationale de France MS Latin 9333 fol. 96r
Subscribe to Medievalverse
Related Posts