Wine Country is being significantly impacted by Americans’ shifting views on alcohol and drinking.
Concern over the effects of moderate drinking is on the rise, according to a recent CNN poll. According to the study, half of American adults now believe that even moderate drinking is harmful to one’s health. That is more than twice as many as there were twenty years ago.
The U.S. Surgeon General has demanded warning labels on alcohol due to the elevated risk of cancer.
Rod Santos, general manager of William Harrison Vineyards and Winery in St. Helena, closely monitors every aspect of his winery’s operations, including the barrels, books, wines, vines, and staff.
“They may be a little more cautious about how much wine they consume,” he stated.
He believes that might occur as a result of a recent recommendation by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, which described what he described as a clear connection between alcohol use and a higher risk of cancer.
“Moderation is something that we need to continue to strive to educate people about,” Santos stated.
In addition to the current warning for pregnant women, the Surgeon General is advocating for an updated warning label on alcoholic beverages that would include the risk of cancer.
Although altering the label would be costly, Santos says he thinks it would be required and that openness is crucial.
“This is his responsibility. He must inform individuals of the possible health hazards present in their daily surroundings,” he stated. “It’s probably a little out of date after 37 years. Therefore, if an extra caution concerning cancer in particular needs to be included, then so be it.
He does, however, think that openness is reciprocal. According to him, individuals should also be aware of studies showing that wine, when drank in moderation, has favorable health effects.
“Wine has also been proven by many, many research studies over the last handful of decades that it also has cardioprotective benefits,” Santos stated.
Although Santos was a little taken aback by the announcement, he wasn’t too alarmed. But the wine industry as a whole wasn’t like that.
According to Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible, the best-selling wine book in the US, “wine has played a positive role in society and culture for 8,000 years.” “People in wine villages across America were quite depressed. That seemed really frightful.
A Surgeon General advice is saved for a public health issue that requires immediate attention and action.
“It was alarmist,” stated MacNeil. “Hundreds of research projects, hundreds of doctors, who say that moderate wine consumption can be a part of an overall wellness and healthy lifestyle.”
According to MacNeil, the advise would jeopardize a sector that already employs millions of Americans.
“More than 90% of all of the 10,000 wineries in the United States are small, family operations,” she stated. “It’s not just the negative story is now being told, it’s also that wine’s incredibly positive story isn’t being told enough.”
She cites a recent National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine paper that presents an alternative viewpoint to the Surgeon General’s recommendation.
“They could say that a moderate amount of alcohol reduced mortality from all causes of potential deaths, including all cancers, with the exception of one, which was breast cancer,” she stated.
Santos thinks that going forward, industry-wide cooperation and openness will be crucial.
“We as an industry need to come together and be prepared to discuss it, because the health concerns of alcohol are real,” he stated. “I don’t think adding another label to an alcohol bottle will significantly alter the industry. I believe the wording will be slightly more forceful than what we used when we applied that label 37 years ago.
He doesn’t think the desire for alcohol will wane, even though it might alter some habits.
“For thousands of years, it’s been well regarded,” he stated. “As long as we can educate people about consumption of quantity, they will be able to continue to appreciate it without too much risk to their health.”
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.