Has it ever been considered normal to start the day with a glass of wine? While modern perspectives view this practice as a sign of unhealthy alcohol dependence, history paints a different picture. In various cultures and eras, wine was often integrated into breakfast for reasons ranging from nutrition to social customs.
In ancient Egypt, Cleopatra reportedly enjoyed wine-soaked barley bread to start her day. This practice, known as akratismos, was derived from the Hellenistic period and helped soften coarse and stale bread while also providing nutrients.
As the Roman Empire thrived, wine became an essential part of the first meal, ientaculum, consumed alongside bread. This meal often included subpar wine, leading to the creation of sweeteners and spices to improve its taste. Mulsum, a drink made of wine mixed with honey and spices, was commonly consumed at breakfast, serving as both an appetizer and a fortifier for the day ahead.
During the medieval times, wine was a common choice instead of water, which was often contaminated. For the wealthy, drinking wine during breakfast was a status symbol, while for the less affluent, beer filled a similar role. Notably, Adam Zientek’s work "A Thirst for Wine and War" describes how, in World War I, wine was provided to soldiers at increasingly earlier hours to help them cope with the stress of war.
Leaders throughout history have also enjoyed wine with breakfast. Otto von Bismarck, for instance, drank Bordeaux every morning, believing it defended against the chill of northern Germany. Winston Churchill famously started his day with a "tumbler of Sherry," followed by a hearty breakfast of traditional English fare, a reflection of his belief in the unifying power of good food and drink.
Nowadays, references to breakfast wine often evoke celebrations like Mimosas on special occasions rather than a common custom. This shift highlights how societal norms have evolved, leaving behind a time when wine at breakfast was commonplace, integrated into culture and routine.