It's a proven fact alcohol in olden times is not the same as it is today.
Actually, this is the same lie temperance movement leaders attempted to foist on the public over 100 years ago. Properties of fermentation are determined by physics, which dictate set levels of alcohol to result from set number of days of fermentation. Those who made wine and beer then are held to the same physical properties of their concoctions as are brewers and fermentors today. They can only let the process go so long before it goes too far and ruins the product.
Therefore, wine today is the same as it was then, no stronger, no weaker. Those in Jesus' time -- as well as before, after, and even now -- "mixed" the wine with water, because the water in the Mideast to this day is unsafe to drink because of the tiny one-celled livestock that make their home there. Only in that sense was wine made "weaker" than today, but wine from the wineskin in the first century was 12% alcohol, or perhaps as high as 15%, same as today.
Everyone that continues to drink will cross the line one of these day's when life's troubles over take them and they will go to the bottle to drown their problems.
Perhaps that's your own experience, and for a limited time in my life, it was mine as well. But I gave my life to Christ, and I do not abuse alcohol, I do not use it for self-medication for PTSD, because my PTSD -- contrary to the concept of some very educated men and women in my own profession -- is gone. Some don't think that's possible either, but as my Christian (Messianic Jewish) psychiatrist at the Kansas City VA said and believed, "All things are possible with Christ."
You will note, from my previous post, I waited a very long time before I dared take a drink again, and I waited a long time before I had my next glass of wine. I feared perhaps it was not possible, as old AA'ers claim, that you can't drink again. I'm living proof that some can, which is why we as addictions counselors now make a distinction between "problem drinkers" as being those who have a temporary problem, and "alcoholics" who have a lifelong problem and should never drink again.
Argue this all you want. As a professional, I know the truth. And before you ask, no, I don't let my clients know I drink, though with some I do share my own bad experiences. I treat a lot of vets from Iraq and Afghanistan. To tell them I drink now would be counterproductive to their treatment. The last thing they need, as problem drinkers or alcoholics either one, is to cling to the concept they can drink again, because it is possible they may not be able to do so. That's not dishonest, either.
My experiences are as real as theirs. Perhaps, someday, if they so desire, they can perform the same "experiment" I did. Despite my problems, I actually do like the taste of beer and wine. There's nothing wrong with that, biblically or otherwise. It is the legalist in you that wants it to be wrong, but that simply is not true.