In many historical novels I’ve heard, it seems like wine is a basic necessity. The nobles and generals have to procure it for their soldiers, their servants and even their slaves, and the instances when a protagonist drinks water can be counted on one hand. Is that accurate? Wasn’t it easier and cheaper to drink water?

People did drink water, but the cleanliness of the water was quite iffy, so people tended to drink alcohol as it was safer.

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