Here is an Anglo-Saxon habit adopted by the French, but which exasperates the British media: the Dry January, or the absence of alcohol consumption during the first month of the year. “Abstinence can be understood in the Anglo-Saxon sphere, where we are never far from a magazine article that details the benefits of sobriety, writes a columnist for Daily Telegraph. But the French? What an idea! And yet, they are losing ground, since 4.5 million of them practiced the Dry January in 2024 and even more this year. I would never have thought that this fashion would reach the heirs of Rabelais … “
This drop in consumption exceeds the month of January alone. French red wine faces “an existential crisis”, warns the Financial Times, noting that each generation drinks less than the previous one. “And the decline accelerates, underlines the newspaper. Generation Z [moins de 30 ans] Buy half less wine than that of the Millennials [30-40 ans].” THE Telegraph sees “an economic sabotage”, but above all the loss of a key element of our culture: “Wine has woven the ties of this nation and its history. When you drink a sip, you log into what has always done of France what it is. ” In all sobriety.