From what we know of Greek and Roman wine, as well as archaeological evidence … probably not anything that would do well commercially today in the US. And bear in mind that not only was this wine watered (almost by necessity), but the quality control was likely not all that great.
But it was still probably better than the water.
(If you like this article, I also recommend Tom Standage, A HIstory of the World in 6 Glasses, which focuses on emblematic beverages over the millennia, and how they affected trade and technology.)
[h/t +John E. Bredehoft]
What Wine Would Jesus Drink?
Wine plays a central role in the Biblical narratives. So what kind of wine were they drinking? We can’t know for sure, but we can guess how it tasted
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Manischewitz! 😉
I'm sure I've heard somewhere of wine being filtered by straining it through a fine, clean cloth.
Even today, Americans visiting Mexico are advised not to drink the water. 🙂
+John E. Bredehoft Hey, how great is it that some visitors to America are advised (or at least worried about) the same thing …?
(But, yes, the casual imbibing of alcohol in many countries and cultures is in part due to water sanitation issues. And, mostly in ancient times, it's also a food source, a preservative method, and a populace pacifier.)
Man, I hate doing this.. but that is almost certainly a myth..
http://leslefts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/the-great-medieval-water-myth.html
+Simon B Good article. I think it misses the case of the ready availability of "good" (clear, flavorful) water not being as available in many population centers. But a number of the points there are well taken.