Final answer:
Wine is important in Italian culture and often consumed with meals, but it doesn't necessarily replace water. Romans traditionally mixed their wine with water, showcasing a tradition of moderation. Contemporary Italian habits vary, with both water and wine commonly enjoyed during meals.
This statement is false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that wine often replaces water at Italian meals may hold some cultural truth; however, it is not an absolute rule and can vary greatly from person to person and region to region.
Traditionally in Roman times, as you mentioned, Romans mixed their wine with water because consuming undiluted wine was seen as barbaric or indicative of alcoholism.
This tradition underscores the importance of moderation and social norms regarding drink in the culture of the time.
Today, while wine is an important part of Italian culture and is often consumed with meals, it does not necessarily replace water. Water is typically still available and consumed alongside wine during meals.
Therefore, saying that wine often replaces water at Italian meals is not entirely accurate without additional context about contemporary Italian drinking habits and meal customs.
This statement is false.