The quality of one's wine, like one's clothes conveyed social status. In the following letter, the famed journalist, gossip columnist, and raconteur of V Ventce, Pietro Are Pietinp, writes-toGirolamo A gnelli, thanking him for a gift of wine. Truly good wine as suggested by Aretino's epistle, was valued above precious coins or silks. Renaissance Italians were obsessed with fame and with being remembered after they had died. Here Aretino ties such longings into his appreciation for the wine Aretino was infa mous for self-consciously spurning social convention; note he mentions giving this wine to prostitutes, so their kisses will taste better.

Venice,11 November 1529

Iwon't speak, dear brother, of the sixty beautiful crowns you have sent me on account of the horse; but I do want to say that if I were as famous for saintli- ness, as I am for devilry in other...