ASSEMBLAGE - An A-Z of grape-related expressions and proverbs from across the world.
In our cellars, we blend grape varieties; in this article, we blend proverbs. From Japan to Italy, from Greece to Spain, the grape runs through languages and imaginations. Each line reveals a shard of culture, a flavorful metaphor, a way of naming this fruit that brings us together. Like a blend of voices from across the world.
What if every letter of the alphabet uncorked a proverb or expression from a grape-loving culture somewhere in the world? This playful and poetic A–Z travels through vineyards and languages, revealing how grapes have become a metaphor for desire, patience, joy, envy—and everything in between. From bittersweet idioms to juicy wordplay, pour yourself a glass and explore the grape in all its linguistic glory.
A is for ‘Avere l’uva acerba’ (Italian) – ‘Sour grapes.’ The Italian version of being bitter about what you can’t have. While the French turn green with envy, the Italians add flavour to the feeling: a tart disappointment, a craving you know will never be satisfied.
B is for ‘Budō wa taberu yori miru hō ga amai’ (Japanese) – ‘Grapes are sweeter to look at than to eat.’ A Japanese proverb reminding us that pleasure is often linked to longing. Like gazing at the grape and already tasting the wine in your mind.
C is for ‘Chi non beve in compagnia o è un ladro o è una spia’ (Italian) – ‘He who doesn’t drink in company is either a thief or a spy.’ Better to raise a glass than raise suspicions.
D is for ‘Dar la uvas’ (Spanish) – ‘To give you the grapes’, meaning to make you wait…and wait. If someone says ‘te van a dar las uvas,’ prepare to turn into a raisin before anything happens.
E is for ‘Entre la poire et le fromage, le vin fait son office’ (French) – ‘Between the cheese and the pear, the wine works its magic.’ That sweet spot when the conversation loosens, lips untie and secrets may just slip out.
F is for ‘Ficar de uvas a passa’ (Portuguese) – ‘To go from grape to raisin.’ To stay too long in the sun, or a situation, until you dry out. We, too, prefer our grapes ripe, juicy and picked just in time.
G is for ‘Grapevine’ (English) – Rumours that sprout up and spread fast, like vines with a mind of their own. In English, gossip travels ‘through the grapevine’.
H is for ‘Hacer buena uva’ (Spanish, Latin America) – ‘To make good grapes.’ Sometimes used to describe someone cheerful and pleasant. A sour grape never made a good wine, after all.
I is for ‘In vino veritas’ (Latin) – ‘In wine, truth.’ And occasionally, a secret or two that escapes with the bubbles.
J is for ‘Jus de la treille’ (French) – ‘The juice of the vine.’ A poetic way to say wine, elevating a humble sip to something worthy of Ronsard. Best consumed in generous, literary doses.
K is for ‘Kein wein ohne reben’ (German) – ‘No wine without vines.’ A reminder that all good things start at the root.
L is for ‘Larmes du vin’ (French) – ‘Wine tears’, or the slow, glistening drops that slide down a wine glass after swirling. Will they melt your heart too?
M is for ‘Mi-figue mi-raisin’ (French) – ‘Half fig, half grape.’ Used to describe something bittersweet, or a mood that’s neither one thing nor the other. The lukewarm grape syndrome.
N is for ‘Nella botte piccola c’è il vino buono’ (Italian) – ‘The good wine is in the small barrel.’ It’s not the size of the cask that counts; it’s the quality inside.
O is for ‘Οίνος ευφραίνει καρδίαν ανθρώπου’ (Greek) – ‘Wine gladdens the heart of man.’ Straight from the Psalms. In Greece, they don’t need Happy Hour to figure this one out.
P is for ‘Pane fa panza, vino fa danza’ (Italian) – ‘Bread fills the belly, wine makes you dance.’ Which explains why the cellars at Bodegas CARO often double up as dance floors. Tango, anyone?
Q is for ‘Quando la volpe non arriva all’uva, dice che è acerba’ (Italian) – ‘When the fox can’t reach the grapes, he says they’re sour.’ Classic excuse-making from the clever predator: belittle what you can’t get.
R is for ‘Rendre quelqu’un raisin’ (French, slang) – ‘To drive someone grape.’ That is: to drive them mad. Too many pips, and it all goes to your head.
S is for ‘Sour grapes’ (English) – Straight out of Aesop’s Fables: the fox walks away from the unreachable grapes, muttering that they were probably sour anyway. Envy dressed as indifference.
T is for ‘Tener mala uva’ (Spanish) – ‘To have bad grapes.’ Meaning a bad temper. No one likes a grumpy vintage.
U is for ‘Uvas de la suerte’ (Spanish) – ‘Lucky grapes.’ Twelve grapes at midnight, twelve wishes for the new year. But if you choke on one…that would be an unlucky start indeed.
V is for ‘Vendimia tardía’ (Spanish) – ‘Late harvest.’ Waiting for the perfect moment so the sugars concentrate and the flavours deepen. Patience is the sweetest virtue.
W is for ‘Wine o’clock’ (English) – That sacred time, sometime after tea, when the cork pops, the stress drops and the evening begins.
X is for ‘Xarxa de vinyes’ (Catalan) – ‘Network of vines.’ A Catalan expression for solidarity among winemakers. When the vines support each other, the harvest is always better.
Y is for ‘Yema’ (Spanish) – The ‘free-run juice’, the first and finest press of the grape. Always aim for the top of the bunch.
Z is for ‘Zampe all’aria come l’uva sotto il torchio’ (Italian) – ‘Paws in the air, like grapes under the press.’ Used when you’re completely wiped out. After a party, a harvest, or both. Crushed, but blissful.
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