(Wine-Searcher) - James Lawrence investigates the favorite drinks of the world's nastiest rulers.

 

Several years ago, the supposedly personal wine glasses of Adolf Hitler were sold at auction for just under $13,000. For what better way to offend your liberal-minded guests, than to serve them Liebfraumilch in the former vessel of Herr Führer himself?

Yet ironically, the 20th Century's most infamous dictator was a virtual teetotaler and avowed vegetarian, as alluded to several times in the gripping film Der Untergang (Downfall). Hitler apparently only took the occasional sip of wine, and only then as an act of desperation – particularly if Joseph Goebbels was waxing lyrical about the Ministry of Propaganda, or Magda Goebbels' gusset collection. Potatoes, water and a bowl of soup – that was Adolf's idea of a great evening.

A far cry from the habits of Joachim von Ribbentrop, who absolutely loved vintage Champagne. Or so they say.

Meanwhile, Hitler's Italian counterpart Benito Mussolini was big fan of salads, reportedly laced with raw garlic. But what about the gastronomic delights of neighboring France – foie gras, confit du canard and bresse chicken? Mussolini – perhaps trying to emulate his hero Adolf – shunned the finer things in life, describing French food and wine as "worthless". So no Époisses and DRC for him, then.