The French are drinking less wine. Why that could be cause for concern...

They’re drinking less wine in France and that could be a problem...

According to a recent study in the International Journal of Entrepreneurship, consumption of wine in France is on a steady decline and is being replaced at the dinner table by soda, fruit juice and water. Some traditionalists are concerned that French heritage, love of conversation and appreciation of the good things in life are on the way out. 

The wine decline is clearly generational. French people in their 60s and 70s grew up with wine on the table at every meal and still consider it part of their cultural heritage. The middle generation - now in their 40s and 50s - sees wine as a more occasional indulgence. Members of the third generation typically don’t start taking an interest in wine until their mid-to-late 20s and have less appreciation for it.

Denis Saverot, co-author of the study, blames the anti-wine French revolution on immigration, politics and pharmaceuticals. He says wine is the subtlest, most civilised, most noble of antidepressants - but now the village bar has gone and has been replaced by a pharmacy.