piquette, thin, vinous liquid made by adding water to the grape pomace. Throughout history, from the time of classical greece and rome to the mid 20th century, it has been given to slaves or low-paid workers. (See ancient presses for details of lorca, the Roman version.) In the early 21st century, with its wine surplus, labour shortage, and concentration on quality, few employers would dare to offer even the most lowly worker such a drink.
© Jancis Robinson and Oxford University Press 1994, 1999, 2006, 2015
