Many aperitifs have been introduced to the French culture and are occasionally consumed as before dinner treats. And no one looks down upon those that order one of these beverages. It is okay to drink spirits for one and all now. The expansion on the availability of spirits shows that general public acceptance of the once deemed toxic drinks has been achieved. If the public still classified spirits as being good enough only for the poor, then the aperitifs would not be offered in most restaurants, as they are currently.
Spirits are no longer drinks for just the lower classes.
With that said, wine still is the main alcoholic beverage that is consumed in France. It is present at nearly every meal of the day and is turned to for an excellent midday reward. A French laborer may distribute a total of 3 liters of wine, beginning with a small glass or two at breakfast. He may drink small amounts almost hourly up to noon, when he may take about half a liter with his lunch. This might be followed again by almost hourly drinks up to the evening meal, when he might take about a liter, with a few small drinks afterwards.