Wine: Point West Touriga Nacional 2009, Portugal — €9.99 (was €12.99)
However, the Fine Gael-Labour coalition’s attempt to close down small independent off-licences and wine importers with their draconian budget increases last year did a lot to dampen celebrations at the National Off-Licence Association awards a couple of weeks ago. Finding the holy grail of inexpensive but drinkable wine was all anyone was talking about.
The Government claims minimum pricing will help, but in reality it will have zero effect. The minimum price for wine is likely to be set at around €8, meaning the actual wine in a supermarket bottle will continue to cost around 15c. The only thing that can save the independent wine sector is a ban on below-cost selling by the multiples.
