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.

in wine, there is truth

1. Things said under the influence of alcohol reveal true beliefs 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