What is the significance of wine in Hebrew culture?

There is historical evidence that wine was often drunk mixed with water. Some argue that the Jews drank diluted wine because their water supply was polluted (and since clean water is readily available today, they argue, we have no good reason to drink wine). However, that was certainly not the only reason for The Bible also says that God's people drank wine to make their heart glad and merry. The following scriptures teach that wine is a blessing, a gift of God for our enjoyment. * Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart (Ecclesiastes 9:7). * He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the service of man, that he may bring forth food from the earth. And wine that makes glad the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengthens man's heart (Psalm 104:14, 15). * And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household (Deuteronomy 14:26). * I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; they shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them" (Amos 9:14). * Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1). * How fair is your love, my sister, my spouse! How much better than wine is your love, and the scent of your perfumes (Song of Solomon 4:10).