Contemporary lifestyles: the case of wine

Abstract

The book chapter begins by identifying what has led to greater accessibility, variety and consumer knowledge in the wine market. It goes on to discuss what the nature of wine consumption reveals about our cultural environment. For exemple, to what extent does wine knowledge and an ability to master the rituals of wine consumption signifies the possession of cultural capital? Conversely, is the distinction that is the prize for wine consumers heightened through intimidation that the inexperienced might suffer?