The history of wine in France during the Great War (1914-1918). Book in French
“Popular and glorified during the Great War, the “Pinard” was more than a simple drink for the soldiers thrown into the heart of the fights. Distributed without counting, it “fed” millions of men and was, very early, the only escape in the face of the horrors of the conflict.
Red wine, of very mediocre quality, from plants with high yields, the pinard, always cut, wet, adulterated or suspected of containing bromide, prevails in the trenches. Praised by official propaganda, it is honored and raised in rank as a national and patriotic drink, before becoming the “Pinard of victory” celebrated throughout France.
This here work reveals two fronts. The “wine front”, rarely mentioned by historians, but the study of which is essential when we want to understand how the men of 14-18 were able to hold out, and the “war front”, place of commitments and maintenance of the men whose aggressiveness and submission to the hierarchy were only possible thanks to massive alcoholism, organized by political and military authorities haunted by defeat.”