A French hospital recently announced plans to open a wine bar so seriously ill patients can enjoy a medically supervised glass with their families, a move sparking warm headlines across the world.

Dr. Virginie Guastella, head of the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital Center in central France, said she believes terminally ill patients have the right to “enjoy themselves” at the end of life.

“A situation can be palliative for several weeks, or even several months, and it’s because life is so precious and real until the end that we decided to cultivate all that is fine and good,” Guastella told The Local, a French publication. “It’s a way of rethinking the care of others, taking into account their feelings and emotions that make them a human being.”

Starting in September, fine wines, champagne and even whisky will be served in the palliative care center. Hospital staff will be specially trained by Catherine Le Grand Sébille, a social anthropologist and researcher.

“The French maintain a hedonic relationship with food and wine, synonyms of special moments of sharing and conviviality,” the hospital said in a statement written in French. “Why refuse those flavors at the end of life? Nothing justifies such a ban. Instead, tasting ‘medically supervised’ brightens the often difficult days.”