Ramsman wrote
William Sommerwerck wrote

I seriously doubt the Romans had a minimum age limit
for drinking, the froggies are fairly lax on that even in the
present day.

In Francophone countries, children generally
drink wine at an early age -- diluted with water.

That was pretty common in Britain at one time too.

And still happens with beer, shandys etc.

See, for example, the dinner scene at the end of the
original "The Fly". Adult Greeks commonly cut wine with
water, apparently to reduce the chance of intoxication.

The minimum legal age in the UK (including Scotland?) for children
to consume alcohol is 5. The 18-year-old restriction is for purchasing
and consumption in pubs, off licences, etc. ISTR that 14-year-olds
can consume alcohol with food in restaurants.

There is no minimum legal age in australia. Again,
the legal restriction is on purchase, not consumption.