It's about time we started drinking wine at breakfast

Over here in the UK, our relationship with booze is a little more… complicated, shall we say, than for those on the continent.

While having a glass of merlot with our eggs Benedict would be most likely classified as ‘a problem’, getting so drunk we can’t remember our own names is perfectly acceptable come Friday night.

Meanwhile, other European countries’ attitude towards drinking is a little more sophisticated – and the idea of having a small glass of white with a morning snack perfectly acceptable. So is it about time the UK caught up?

“Wine in Europe – particularly in Spain, France and Italy – alongside food, is a very important part of life,” Rob Edwards, managing director of The Vino Beano wine merchant, told The Independent.

“I don’t think people in those countries drink wine, or any alcohol for that matter, to get drunk. Wine with a meal is about more than that.

“It’s the coming together of friends and family, and enjoying the time together. Wine merely compliments that.”

That hardly sounds like British drinking culture at present, otherwise known as egging each other on to down yet another shot of tequila. So is it impossible teach an old, jaegerbombing dog new tricks, or could we adapt?

Brits are currently well rehearsed in bottomless prosecco brunches, after all, so what difference does drinking a more modest amount of non-sparkling really make?

“I would definitely suggest something like a Lambrusco di Sorbara, light and zingy or a German Riesling from the Mosel, which has usually a hint of residual sugar and a very low ABV,” Briccarello recommends.

“Light reds like Gamay are excellent with savoury snacks and a chilled light red like a Bardolino will be the perfect wine for any beginners.”

If you think you’re the one to integrate a little bit of morning vino into your life, you know what to do (though remember to do it responsibly).

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