The wine industry has evolved over three major epochs from localized production in the Middle East 4000 BC to a more globalized industry today. During ancient times, production and consumption were limited, but expanded throughout the Greek and Roman Empires. In the Middle Ages, the industry thrived as the Church took interest and peasants helped meet demand. From the Middle Ages until WW1, the industry faced challenges like epidemics, overproduction, and prohibition. After WW2, industrialization increased and regulations harmonized quality standards. New world producers in places like Australia, US, and Chile emerged to compete globally. Today the industry remains fragmented in traditional European markets but new world producers have found success through integration, scale, technology, and marketing.