NATIONAL OFF-LICENCE ASSOCIATION UNVEILS
2008 AWARD-WINNING WINES IN IRELAND
New & Old World both secure ‘Wine of the Year’ accolades

15 wines from around the world, which are priced to appeal to all budgets, were selected for exclusive inclusion in the National
Off-Licence Association’s (NOffLA) Gold Star 2008 Wine Collection, unveiled today at the Association’s annual Irish Wine Show.


Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard swept the board winning 8 out of the 15 Gold Star award categories including; the much coveted ‘White Wine of the Year 2008’ award and overall award winner, for Domaine Long-Depaquit Chablis AC 2007 and the equally prestigious ‘Red Wine of the Year 2008,’ for George Wyndham Shiraz 2005’.

With over 500 wines typically available in any NOffLA outlet, the Gold Star Awards enable consumers to identify some of the very best wines available in Ireland.

The winning wines were awarded on the basis of appearance, smell, taste and value for money. Each of the 15 award winners is available in NOffLA’s 350+ independent off licences around the country and will be clearly identifiable, on shelf.

According to NOffLA Chairman, Jim McCabe, the Gold Star Awards play a key role in communicating the variety of excellent wines available in Ireland, at different price points; “The awards are categorised by price so have gained a reputation, over the past eight years, for being the essential guide for selecting great wines at any price,” said Mr McCabe. “There is sometimes a misconception that the higher the price, the better the quality of wine. But, four of NOffLA’s Gold Star winners retail at under €8 so we are confident that consumers will be able to pick up some superb wines, whether they want to spend €7.99 or €49.99.

“The Gold Star Awards brochure, which includes tasting notes, will also provide shoppers with the confidence to try new wines that are selected and recommended by an expert tasting panel.”

NOffLA’s annual Irish Wine Show took place at the Pavilion in Leopardstown, where distributors showcased their portfolios and promotions for Christmas and the year ahead.