Wine might be the alcohol statistic's worst enemy this year.
By Melissa Pereira
Alcohol is often used as a way to get people to go out, socialise and generally waste time. Although many people use it as a means to have fun, people use alcohol for different reasons.
Churches use alcohol as the chalice of salvation, a reference to the blood of Jesus Christ. At family meetings it can be used as a peace-maker, and for others it can be a way to forget about the real world.
"Most people come into the shop, longing for a special, old bottle of wine to drink slowly in family meetings or just to spend time tasting," explains Nelson Santos, a former wine expert who has sold wine in Portugal for 10 years.
A 2017 study from the Office of National Statistics shows that the consumption of alcoholic drinks is part of the routine of most British adults.
The highest intake was found among those aged 45 to 64, with 64% claiming they had drunk alcohol in the past week. This was an increase on the previous year in which 57% of people admitted to drinking weekly.
Drinking in moderation is not necessarily unhealthy and wine-tasting events are booming this year. There are three major events being held between March and May - the 39th annual London Wine Fair, the London Wine Competition, and the Vintage Festival which brings together 380 wines from around the world.