In Italy and other countries where wine drinking with meals is a long tradition, consumer preferences are often based on habit. Until recently much wines was sold locally in demijohns or other large containers, but the trend among discriminating drinkers in Italy and many parts of Europe is toward bottled premium wines both from their own regions and beyond. In nations where wine drinking is a relatively recent phenomenon, such as the United States, there is less consumer loyalty to local or even national products. The consumption of premium wines is still confined to a fraction of the population, but there has been a tendency to popularize wine drinking and to equate it with fine food and other aspects of European culture. National differences in attitudes about wine are less pronounced than they once were. Changes in life style, work habits, diet and communications in much of the industrialized world have led to increasingly universal patterns of wine consumption. Classic style red wines for ageing have maintained their prestige and following among experienced drinkers, but the international trend has been toward lighter, more modem wines with clearly identifiable varietal names and flavours, more often white than red. These consumer preferences have influenced wine producers everywhere as world markets have become increasingly competitive. Beyond the general trends there are also other preferences to consider. Light white wines with fresh acidity are most in demand in the summer, though they are also popular through the year as pre-dinner drinks. Autumn and spring provide the climates for medium-weight, well balanced wines, both red and white, that go well with a wide variety of foods. Winter is the best season to drink older red wines whose warm, hearty flavours go well with the more robust foods served in the cold months. The demand for sparkling wines, both the classic dry types and sweet spumante, reaches a peak during the Christmas season. Sweet and fortified wines are also most popular during the holidays.