Another reason to drink more Guiness? The Irish Wine Association reports that almost 4.8 euros of an 8 euro bottle goes to the government, which is 60% of the total cost. For comparison, what happens to be the excise tax on wine in Spain, Italy, and Germany? Zero. For France? Just three cents a bottle.
2014 tax increase on wine of half a euro, following 2013's full euro increase, is five times more than the amount levied on a pint of beer or cider. The Drinks Business details the perversity of the wine business in Ireland, where 2013 sales can drop by 700,000 cases but the government reaps 71 million more euros in excise revenue.
