Objective:

To explain the emergence of new consumption and food practices, specifically gourmet coffee and table wine.

Methodology:

In addition to an exhaustive bibliographic review, the systematic exploitation of international, national and local statistical databases was carried out, as well as the fieldwork that included the survey, interview and on-site observation.

Results:

The essay shows that the consumption of gourmet coffee and particularly table wine, and the practices associated with it, are emerging or strengthening as signs of social distinction or "social markers", since sociologically their consumption has been associated with the relative elevation and redistribution of cultural capital and / or economic capital.

Limitations:

This essay is a first approach, which should set the precedent for a study of greater scope and duration. In this sense, it is a theoretical and methodological contribution to the development of deeper studies, for which a more systematic and prolonged ethnographic approach will prove to be a primary route.

Conclusions:

The changes in the “tastes”; of the population, induced by changes in the volume and structure of cultural capital and economic capital, are generating quantitative and qualitative changes in the food and beverage market, with changes in modality in the relationships within and between social classes.

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