One reason the popularity of minis has soared is because they suit the American lifestyle. "Consumers today want convenience, and 187-milliliter offerings provide that,” says Brian Lechner, director of client services at Nielsen's beverage-alcohol group. "They are a great trial vehicle, providing portion control and freshness and allowing consumers to enjoy a single glass without opening a whole bottle." They chill quickly, are eminently portable, and are handy for cooking. They're ideal when you want a white wine with dinner and your partner wants red. You can take them backpacking, to the beach, poolside, and you’ll find them where wine hasn’t usually been available—sports stadiums and golf courses.

More novel 187 formats are on the horizon. Expected from Australia next year are Hardy Shuttles, acrylic bottles with an acrylic glass perched upside down on top. Aluminum bottles are in the pipeline too. Wine is starting to catch up with other beverages in terms of the variety of containers and sizes it comes in. The world’s most conservative beverage is at last becoming user-friendly. And that's something worth drinking to.