Dinesh's photos with the keyword: Preface

HBM & Best wishes

Why have cultures around the world had a millennia-long love affair with wine? My short answer then was that alcohol has been the universal drug, and that wine provides the highest concentration of this simple organic compound (ethanol) available in nature. Humans throughout history have been astounded by alcohol’s effects, whether it is imbibed as a beverage or applied to the skin. The health benefits are obvious -- alcohol relieves, pain, stops infection, and seems to cure diseases. Its psychological and social benefits are equally apparent -- alcohol eases the difficulties of everyday life, lubricates social exchanges, and contributes to a joy in being alive. Briefly put, alcoholic beverages are unique among all the drugs that bumans and our early hominid ancestors have exploited on this planet for more than four million years. Their preeminence and universal allure -- what might be called their biological, social, and religious imperatives -- make them significant in understanding the development of our species and its cultures. ~ xi / xii