Wine same customs have been around for many generations, and it seems almost impossible to change any of them. It's not all necessarily bad, but some things make you wonder.
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| American "first growth" i.e. really expensive |
We have the same types of wine as we've had for centuries; red, white, sparkling, rosé, and fortified. Glasses have been the same shape. We use heavy, breakable, 750ml glass bottles that let in heat and light, the primary enemies of wine. Then seal the bottle with a cork that can potentially cause more troubles. Any attempt to change these conventions is met with heated arguments; as in natural wine or screw caps.
Cabernet Sauvignon has been popular for centuries, starting with what's known as the 17th century Bordeaux Boom. Haut-Brion, Lafite Rothschild, Margaux, and Latour have been on top for a long time. Should that have changed by now? I don't know, but it doesn't even get talked about because you can't argue with the wine gods.
Napa has been the top U.S. Cabernet region since premium U.S. wine became a thing about 50 years ago. They even changed their style 25 to 30 years ago, but are still on top, no questions asked.
When new wine drinkers want in, they have to learn the conventions. Lord help anyone going online to ask for sweet Cabernet. Most consumer products adapt to new customers. Look at what beer has gone through in the past 30 years. Unlike many products, wine derives much of its value from history, place, ritual, and continuity.
Industries that don't change with their customers usually disappear.
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