The only people that seem to be happy with Budget 2016 are the craft brewers. 

In recent days the vineyards of Champagne and those of the Cote d’Or in Burgundy were both given United Nations World Heritage Status for the continuity and quality of their wines and ancient vineyards.

The Government is expected to formally sign off on legislation banning the below cost selling of alcohol this week.

As you load your trolley with booze this Christmas, it’s worth remembering a huge chunk of your money goes straight to the Government, says Leslie Williams

A group representing off licences has slammed the availability of alcohol at self-service tills in Ireland.

Michael Noonan decided to spare the wine community in Ireland further pain in the recent budget so I suppose we should be grateful for small mercies.

Terroir is one of those frustrating French terms that is beloved of winemakers and wine-writers but remains little understood by most of the wine-buying public. 

Some six out of 10 off-licences may be forced to close if excise duties are increased in the next budget, a representative body has claimed.

Nearly two-thirds of independent off-licences will be at risk of closure if excise duty is increased again later this year, according to a members’ survey.

Almost 60% of independent off-licences across Ireland face the risk of closure in 2015, it has been claimed.

HAVE you ever wondered what it is actually like to own your own vineyard in France?

THE Government’s proposal to introduce minimum pricing on alcohol following the recent budget increases will probably mean an end to the €5 bottle of wine in the supermarket.

THESE are not good days to be a wine lover, but spare a thought for anyone foolish enough to turn their love of wine into a career.

The Government has been accused of political cowardice for caving in to the drinks industry and not setting a date for the banning of alcohol sponsorship at sporting events.

Publicans have warned the 10 cent increase in the cost of a pint of beer and measure of spirits will put up to 2,000 jobs at risk in the drinks sector this year.

The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) has said it is deeply disappointed over the Government’s decision to increase excise duty

NOW that we are all trying to shop local and support our bakers and butchers spare a thought for your local wine merchant.

The Government has been urged to introduce a national training scheme for people who sell alcohol to ensure their safety.

The Government has been urged to introduce a national training scheme for people who sell alcohol to ensure their safety.

THE State is subsidising supermarkets in selling cheap alcohol by refunding them VAT on drink sold at a loss, it emerged at an Oireachtas Committee yesterday.

THE results of one of the most interesting experiments in wine are right there under your nose in about 350 off-licences around the country.

WHILE everyone else is talking about a crash, there was a gentle and altogether more reassuring “pop” as the National Off-Licence Association unveiled its 2008 Gold Star Awards.

AFICIONADOS of wine from Australia and Spain have reason to raise a glass to the 2007 National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) Gold Star selection as those countries have made a clean sweep of two key categories.

THE National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) has unveiled its 2007/2008 Gold Star Award wines.

THERE’S a big surprise in store for Irish wine drinkers today. A quick look at the latest National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) Gold Star Awards raises just one question — where have the French gone?

The lack of a national ID card is hampering efforts to stamp out underage drinking, it was claimed today.

Off licences around the country should shut down every year for St Patrick’s Day, it was claimed today.

CHEERS TAKE HOME (Gibneys), New Street, Malahide, Co Dublin, has been named the Diageo/National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) Off-Licence of the Year 2005.

YOUR correspondent Sinéad Shannon of Alcohol Action Ireland (Letters, December 20) seeks to repeat the by now fairly standard misrepresentation of MEAS (Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society) which is being attempted by a few regular sources.

INCREASINGLY sophisticated fake age cards are being sold on the black market to young people for €40 each.

AN organisation sponsored by Ireland’s drinks industry yesterday launched a hard-hitting campaign aimed at encouraging moderation in drinking.