Culture plays a big part in standards and expectations regarding alcohol.
The French have a unique take when it comes to alcohol. Their culture consists of regular daily consumption of alcoholic beverages, wine being the most prominent and popular. This appreciation of wine has evolved over many centuries. The elite and upper class respect and desire for the fermented drink, and discontentment expressed vocally for those who drank spirits allowed for the elevation to occur. And wine has not lost its place to this very day.