Research from the University of Cambridge found that the size of wine glasses has increased seven-fold over the past 300 years, most significantly in the last two decades as its popularity grew.Wine consumption increased nearly four-fold between 1960 and 1980, and almost doubled again between 1980 and 2004. "Wine glasses became a common receptacle from which wine was drunk around 1700," says study author Dr Zorana Zupan. "This followed the development of lead crystal glassware by George Ravenscroft in the late 17th century, which led to the manufacture of less fragile and larger glasses than was previously possible."By collecting data from museum curators and antique glassware experts, researchers found that wine glass capacity increased from just over 2 ounces in the 1700s to more than 14 ounces in the 2000s.The average glass size is currently 15.1 ounces. Wine was rated the top drink of choice for 46 percent of American women in a Harris poll earlier this year. The survey also found that 42 percent of adults over the age of 65 preferred wine, and 37 percent of high income households (over $100,000 annually) reached for the beverage.