There was a time when wine consumption had to do with health issues. Then, it became the choice beverage for the noble, the royalty, or even the rich and famous.
In some countries, until recently, people never had or even heard much about any kind of wine. That, fortunately, is rapidly changing.
With the new trends of cultivating grapes in different latitudes, thus covering many countries around the world, and being sold at more reasonable prices, served with most types of foods, the consumption of wine has taken a turn for the best. It is widely grown, consumed, and highly appreciated at all levels, in almost every culture, and no longer considered an elite beverage, as it used to be not long ago.
Maybe a good number of wine lovers will never get to taste a famous Petrus, or a Chateau Cheval Blanc, or something like a bottle of La Tache, but most people can have today a great Merlot, a decent Cabernet Franc or a wonderful Pinot Noir, which is technically the same as those wines mentioned. The truth is that you could buy 20 cases of your favorite wine with what you pay for one of those bottles.
Wine consumption has changed… for the best, and for good.
