Lunetta Spumante Rosé NV

FIZZY DRINKS were a bit of a novelty in Ireland until the arrival of the Sodastream in the late 1970s.

Grown-ups didn’t fare all that much better, given how expensive Champagne was in those days.

Ireland has the second highest tax on wine in the EU, but is unique in Europe by charging double excise duty on sparkling wine, making us by far the most expensive country in which to celebrate New Year’s Eve.