in wine, there is truth

• in wine there is truth, there is truth in wine, the truth is in the wine

Calque of Latin in vīnō vēritās.

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in wine, there is truth

1. Statements made or expressed under the influence of alcohol reveal true beliefs that are not expressed when sober.

   Synonym: drunk words are sober thoughts

   • 1823, Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine - Volume 14, page 321:

     It is a saying, that “wine inspires wit;' and that in wine “there is truth.” These sayings are the apologies of drinkers.

   • 1998 December, Ron Loutherback, “Beyond the Label”, in Orange Coast Magazine, page 174:

     In wine there is truth. People who love wine and have a lot of it still like to get a great wine as a present.

   • 2003, Kanaan, Delicate Torture: (Living Poetically), →ISBN, page 79:

     In wine there is truth, or so they say, and this just may be the way to heaven, then again we began this time just fine, with a bottle of red wine, parked on an incline just you and I, not far from my safe haven, inhabited by ravens sex laden, with a maiden which is you,

   • 2011, Donald L. Anderson, Cases and Exercises in Organization Development & Change, →ISBN, page 35:

     “My grandfather never understood the point of a mission statement. But whenever anybody asked him about making wine, he always said this,” and Mr. Main pointed at a sign that read: In wine, there is truth. In good wine, there is hard work.

   • 2014, Christopher Priest, The Space Machine, →ISBN:

     In wine there is truth, and although I was able to contain my excesses, and fell short of protesting my undying amour, our conversation had touched on most remarkably personal matters.

• Used to refer to the effect of alcohol on reducing inhibitions, allowing someone to say what they truly think.
• Secondarily, used to suggest that one's perceptions and emotions when drunk are more real than when sober.

• in vino veritas

• loose lips sink ships
• out of the mouths of babes