Convergence in European diets: the case of alcoholic beverages

A number of writers have argued that differences in food consumption between the countries in Europe are declining. This article investigates the possibility of convergence in the consumption of alcoholic beverages. The combination of beverages consumed in 1895–97, 1961–62 and 1994–95 is considered. This reveals three distinctive regions where wine, beer or spirits are the dominant drink. However, in this century the dominance of the staple drink has fallen and differences in total alcohol consumption have diminished, indicating convergence.