NOffLA declares a wine winner
The 2019 Gold Star Award Winners.
NOffLA awarded its annual Irish Wine Show Star Awards to 45 wines at its annual SIP show last night. Now in its 19th year, the winning wines will be available to consumers all over the country from NOffLA outlets.
In excess of 600 wines were submitted to the Star Award adjudication panel of NOffLA judges and independent wine journalists. Points were awarded on the basis of appearance, smell, taste and value for money criteria, and the winning 15 were selected as the best wines from key suppliers across a number of price categories.
At the event NOffLA again called on the Government to reduce excise duty on alcohol, specifically wine which currently ‘enjoys’ the highest rate of excise tax within the EU. Wine consumption fell by 2% in 2018 and is reflective of the general shift away from wine as a result of Government alcohol taxation policy, claims NOffLA.
“This is a concerning development for everyone involved in the Irish wine trade and reinforces the need for excise on wine to be equalised with that of other alcohol products,” said NOffLA’s Vice Chairman Cathal McHugh, speaking at the awards.
“54% of the cost of a bottle of wine is Excise & VAT. NOffLA continues to believe that the higher rate of excise duty on wine unfairly targets wine consumers so we are calling on the Minister for Finance to equalise the excise tax on wine in Budget 2020.
Each of the winning wines will be sold in NOffLA member outlets, of which there are more than 315 nationwide. The chosen wines will be recognisable by distinctive Award symbols on each bottle. In the pre-Christmas period NOffLA members will promote the Irish Wine Show Star Awards 2019-2020 Collection as ideal Christmas gifts in a variety of special gift packs.
2019 Gold Star Award Winners
| CATEGORY | WINE | COMPANY |
| Old World White Under €10 | Chantarel Sauvignon NV | Cassidy Wines |
| Old World White Under €15 | Alpha Zeta ‘C’ Chardonnay 2018 | Liberty Wines |
| Old World White Under €20 | Domaine Lafage ‘Cadireta’ 2018 | Mackenway Distributors Limited |
| New World White Under €10 | Gato Negro Sauvignon Blanc 2018 | Cassidy Wines |
| New World White Under €15 | Snare Point Sauvignon Blanc 2018 | Niche Vines @ Counterpoint |
| New World White Under €20 | Kim Crawford Pinot Gris 2017 | Liberty Wines |
| Old World Red Under €10 | La Granja Tempranillo/Garnacha 2018 | Ampersand Wines |
| Old World Red Under €15 | El Perdiguero ‘Barrica’ 2014 | Mackenway Distributors Limited |
| Old World Red Under €20 | Domaine de la Borie Blanche Minervois La Livinière 2015 | Cassidy Wines |
| New World Red Under €10 | Antares Merlot 2018 | Ampersand Wines |
| New World Red Under €15 | McGuigan Black Label Reserve Shiraz 2015 | Barry & Fitzwilliam |
| New World Red Under €20 | Garzón Tannat Reserva 2017 | Mackenway Distributors Limited |
|
Rose Under €15 |
Santa Rita Limited Release Rosé 2019 | Gilbeys Wines |
| Sparkling Wine Under €25 | Cune Cava Brut NV | Gilbeys Wines |
| Champagne Under €60 | Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV | Cassidy Wines |
| Old World White Under €20 | Domaine Lafage ‘Cadireta’ 2018
WHITE WINE OF THE YEAR 2019-2020 |
Mackenway Distributors Limited |
| Old World Red Under €20 | Domaine de la Borie Blanche Minervois La Livinière 2015
WINE OF THE YEAR 2019-2020 |
Cassidy Wines |
