Food and Wine: Roman and Catalan Traditions
The city of Barcino was surrounded by vineyards that produced 10,000 liters of wine per year. The wine produced was very cheap but still tasted good. Wine was drunken at every meal, however it was watered down to diluted the alcohol content because it was improper to be drunk in public. Children were allowed to drink wine at a very young age. Wine and spirits were a social lubricant that added to the cheerful atmosphere of the friendly environment.
Today in Barcelona, as in much of Spain, it is popular to have a drink or two while out with friends but it is not in order to become drunk. The wine is still relatively cheap and there are many popular brands. I personally think that this tradition of accepting drinking is much more conducive to a safer drinking environment than in the United States. In Spain, children are taught how to drink with their parents and they learn their limits, where as in the States kids sneak around behind their parents backs and binge drink.