Drink! Feck, it´s dear in Ireland

But we all know that, don´t we. Something to do with our "low tax economy". "Arse!!!", as Father Jack might have said.

This morning in Supervalu Gran Alacante, I spotted a bottle of wine - a good one at that - priced at EUR 1.35. Good, that is, by the Gombeen Man (and Les Battersby) criteria of wine appreciation - the alcohol content - which stood at 13%. Excellent value, I say!

Not that this holiday is descending into a drunken blur, you understand, but it hasn´t escaped my attention that a bottle of vodka can be acquired for the spirit-uplifting price of only EUR 4.09. I must say, I found it hard to resist such a bargain, of course. Then you can get a half-litre can of San Miquel for a competitive 56 Cent.

Funny. I seem to recall that a debate surfaces now and again in Ireland involving Those Who Know What´s Best For Us which goes along the lines that the reason we have so many drink-related social problems is because alcohol is too cheap and readily available. I also seem to remember the vintners, somewhat hypocritically, taking a strong stand against retail outlets selling at prices (and times) that were more competitive than them. They dispense alcohol responsibly, you see.

Given that alcohol is a fraction of the price here that it is at home, isn´t it strange then, that the streets of Spain are not resonating with the cries of drunken ribaldry and awash with streams of alcohol-derived vomit - as is any Irish town during a weekend.

Must be that wonderful culture of ours. But at least it´s one of the less embarrassing aspects.

Now where´s that voddy?

Back to Gombeen Nation blogspot