Pliny the Younger

In Pliny the Younger’s Letter 2.6, addressed to Junius Avitus, the host gives special food to himself and a few guests, but cheap, scanty food to the others. He also divides the wine into three grades: one for himself and favoured guests, another for ‘lesser friends’, and a third for his own and his guests’ freedmen. The wine is allocated rather than offered as a choice.