(WTW) — In 1997, it was more likely that friends would gather at a bar for beers, while today, the trend is moving toward meeting at someone's home and uncorking a bottle of wine instead. Then, Illinois was home to 12 wineries. Today, there are more than 100. The movement to accept drinking wine socially today comes from many different concepts: positive heart health benefits, the ability to grow grapes in colder regions, the overall experience, food pairing, tourism and movies. "We have researchers at Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois who are continuing to find new cold-hardy grape varieties that can survive the harsh growing conditions in Illinois," said Megan Pressnall with the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association. "These researchers work with growers to help them learn about the varieties and how to maintain them once planted."