I had a minor hissy fit while watching the Channel 4 news last Friday night. Apparently researchers have discovered a link between the consumption of alcohol and certain cancers. Once this news was announced various worthies were wheeled in to give us the benefit of their wisdom. More than once the term ‘a glass of wine’ was used, which was the red rag to this bull.

In a supposedly scientific debate about the dangers, or indeed the benefits, of alcohol consumption using a phrase such as ‘a glass of wine’ is little better than aimless waffle, yet it happens all the time. Until the size of the glass and the alcoholic strength of the wine are specified the term is meaningless. What irritates me is how anybody can rely on this woolliest of phrases to make a serious point – particularly those tasked with conducting rigorous research, prior to presenting clear and unequivocal conclusions. Call me a pedant but if these people cannot apply some rigour to their pronouncements how can we be sure that they applied sufficient rigour to their researches?

Here’s a thought: if a couple has been in the habit of drinking a standard bottle of wine between them and they change from drinking a wine at 15 per cent alcohol to one at 12 per cent then they will have reduced their alcohol consumption by 20 per cent, while still drinking the same quantity of wine. I have long advocated this as the easiest way to ‘cut back on the drink’ while still enjoying ‘a glass of wine’.

Tags: Alcohol, Wine