Pinard (wine)

Pinard is a French term for wine (particularly red wine), popularized as the label for the ration of wine issued to French troops during the First World War. The term became wrapped up in the public conception of the poilu ("hairy one", the typical French foot soldier) and his loved pinard, joined in a "cult of wine".

World War II
Ian Gately's 2008 Drink: A Cultural History of Alchol notes that with the approach of the Second World War, pinard took on a near-legendary reputation, with serious preparations made to ensure a wine ration be provided to French troops, including the requisitioning of bulk liquid railroad cars. However, following France's fall to the German blitzkrieg, even General Philippe Pétain, Chief of State of Vichy France, blamed alcohol for the failures of the French army.

Etymology
Although the definite answer is unclear, a contemporary work defined the term's origin thus: "Thus, for instance, pinard, wine, was all but unknown in Paris before the war, yet it is now perhaps the most famous word in the whole soldier vocabulary. Pas de pinard, pas de poilu. The origin of the word is not far to seek. The second syllable is an orthodox ending, and pinaud is the name of a well-known small Burgundy grape."