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+--- Thread: Vin De Pays Merlot (/thread-12033.html)
- Innkeeper - 02-18-2000
Since we've kicked the subject of Vin De Pays around before, the antennae shot up when mother approached with one while we were filling out a mixed case down in Fall River, MA. It was a Domaine Des Fontanelles, Merlot, Vin De Pays D'Oc, 1998. Reading the bottle carefully, it claimed to be 100% Merlot, and estate bottled. Of course that means the it could have been grown and/or made elsewhere.
It cost $5.52 with the 15% discount on the mixed case, and no tax. No TAX! Didn't you know; there's no tax on wine in Taxachusetts. Those Irish really have clout. Here in Maine the wholesalers pay a tax on each bottle they bring in, pass in on to the retailer, and then to the consumer who pays another tax and a $.15 deposit on the bottle. Eyes get glazy when it comes to compounding (taxes on taxes), but with all else equal (same profit in store, etc) a $10.00 bottle of wine costs about $1.50 plus the desposit more in Maine than in Massachusetts. It is beautiful here though.
Anyway, we tried the Merlot last night. It was surprizingly good. Had a lot of varietal character. Actually tasted like Merlot. Can't say the same for similiarly priced Merlots from Italy, Eastern Europe, and Chile. It was a little scratchy on the finish (in my opinion; mother defers). Then again it was a '98. Should you lay down a $5.00 bottle of wine for a year or two? I don't think so. Definitely do recommend this one as a top value wine.
[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 02-19-2000).]
- Catch 22 - 02-18-2000
I too, often purchase wine in MA, purely due to taxes and pricing. I have found the savings to be about the same or maybe slightly more than you described.
My question to you, Innkeeper, is this- What about New Hampshire? Everybody down here raves about the prices in NH for liquor. Are there similar (or better) savings to be had on wine in NH, or is it just for the hard stuff?
[This message has been edited by Catch 22 (edited 02-19-2000).]
- Innkeeper - 02-18-2000
What New Hampshire offers in their state stores, particularly in the more trendy areas (Hookset, Hanover) is a better selection than all our Maine distributors put together. More on the distribution system here later. Their prices for wine are not as good as the Massachusett's discounters.
[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 02-19-2000).]