Elitism of wine.

The good professor raises the "sad commentary on the role of wine in American class warfare." The only sad thing about this commentary is that it's a role that the wine industry and the wine consumer class have self-imposed. I admit it -- I am very fortunate to have a significant income stream. However, even I look on a $1479 auction price for a 1999 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon as obscene. But never mind the higher end of the wine market -- walk into a wine merchant, and an average consumer would see $50 prices for many bottles of Cabernets, $20 to $50 prices for Chardonnays and even prices upwards of $60 for Merlots. And that's without considering the French wines.... For someone making about $40,000 a year, any one of those bottles could cost about 10% of a weekly take home pay -- a luxury that many people can afford only for the most special occasions. And if one can only consume wine on a special occassion, how does one view someone who can afford to consume wine for less-than-special occasions or in large gatherings? So, is wine a sign of elitism? The answer, unfortunately, is yes.