Falernian

OK, so I'm pretty sure it's some kind of metaphor as opposed to the well-known Apostle having a nose for finest Falernian.

Trimalchio's Falernian wine, supposedly a hundred years old, is another source of ridicule: the reader knows that wine of such age would not normally be served neat, and suspects that Trimalchio may have been duped.

Named Falernian, this big red wine was made from grapes grown in the foothills of Mount Falernus south of Naples.

/ Hast thou on hand jereboam none / Of Falernian temperately cradled?" (IV.

A time there was when I envisaged a future Of peace in the country, tillage of fruitful vines, Lifelong possessions including a house with a terrace, Clean water-pipes and plenty of nearby firewood To keep at bay the frosty invasions of winter; A few books on a dry shelf, the visits of friends From far-off countries (occasion for slaying a calf And serving the tired travellers with rich Falernian The good beast's tasty brains in black butter); Nightlong discussion of poets, the meaning of ancient myths, The seeding-time, it might be, of our own hoped-for masterpieces, To ensue at the end of our banquets,--happiness thus, I believed.

Trimalchio's masseurs are also drinking Falernian wine as does Nasidienus.

The earliest reference to the use of pears for making a fermented drink was by Roman writer Pliny who said that the Falernian variety, being very juicy, was used for making wine.

Horace describes wine using proper names such as Mariotic, Caecuban, Alban, Massic, and Falernian, the last mentioned specifically over a dozen times.

Falanghina has a tang of green apple and citrus and might have been the grape of Falernian, one of the most famous ancient wines.

74, finds our intrepid hero/private informer up to his Falernian in--poetry?

The poet will drink the proferred Falernian (vultis severi me quoque sumerepartem Felerni?