In the early 20^th century in France, market gardeners used to spread manure around their strawberry plants, even though physicians of the time denounced the practice as a health risk. So to protect themselves, people developed the habit of soaking their strawberries in red wine for at least an hour, a very French way of curbing every ill. Though manure is no longer spread around the plants, this marriage of strawberries and red wine has never lost its popularity. Add a pinch of sugar and you have a sophisticated dessert.