Wine, traditionally considered to be exclusively an upper-class enjoyment, is now becoming more and more acceptable among the average person no matter their upbringing.  A bottle of wine given as a gift; a basket filled with an assortment sampler of wines; a sympathy gift basket of wine all of these reveal the new face of wine in everyday American life.  And for me, symbolizes wine’s ever increasing “trickle-down effect”.

What I mean by trickle-down effect?  Well, basically wine’s acceptance among all classes of American life.  For someone more affluent, this trickle-down effect may appear quite surprising given wine’s wide appeal and acceptance among that social class.  But for the average Joe, they still view wine as a luxury item.  Or, in other words being somewhat show-off or even snooty.

But slowly, wine is losing that sort of view and perception and taking on a new appeal.  Coming from a modest upbringing, we simply didn’t drink wine.  It wasn’t something we even thought about; let alone wine being socially acceptable in my circle of friends.  That’s my experience with wine growing up.  Nevertheless, that was then and this is now!

Hence, with the existence of more and more American winery’s gaining an ever-greater popularity, wine and the culture it brings is finally gaining a foothold the U.S..  And with that, comes wine’s own trickle down effect and its mass appeal.  American’s are talking wine.  You see it on TV and read about it on the Internet.  Wine is an American thing!  With American’s being viewed as the authority.  Wine parties, wine as gifts, and wine as a simple drink.  No stereotypes, no preconceptions; just enjoying the beverage as Americans.

Changing the face of wine — some might surmise — not a necessary thing.  They may say:  “Wine is wine.  It has it own long-standing identity and uniqueness”.  However, not so among the average American Joe.  It would be necessary for one to have some exposure abroad to understand wine’s ordinary and humble roots originally.  But that history and realization does not stretch across the Big Pond.

Traditionally, in America, wine was embraced by the rich and wealthy as their beverage of choice.  And not just drinking it, but living the life-style that they associated with it.  But, no longer!  As hard to imagine as it may be, wine is breaking free from that stereotype and perception.

Moreover, for the reasons mentioned wine has pulled away from those perceptions and focus of the past and into new terrain of the trendy and fresh.  Modern yet modest Americans have come to view wine as acceptable and desirous.  It being their beverage of choice, not only the drinking of it but also the humbly lifestyle that comes along with it.  Yes, wine’s trickle-down effect.