Wine

Cathal McBride on wine: How to please both palate and wallet

In spite of the large bite that excise tax takes out of the price of a bottle, there are many ways to buy exceptional wines at a competitive price

Value need not always mean sub-standard quality, so it’s worth seeking out lesser-appreciated appellations. Picture: Getty

On the surface, wine pricing can often seem subjective. Delve a little deeper, however, and you soon realise that it’s all about quality.

Drinks Ireland recently published its wine report for 2022, highlighting our exorbitantly high excise on wine – the highest in the EU. Taking those charges (€3.19 per standard bottle of still wine) along with Vat, packaging, and distribution, the report estimates that just €0.11 accounts for the actual wine in a bottle ...