Making premium affordable in a time of austerity

In times such as these when economic challenges are looming the last thing you would expect is a push on premium. However, a London sommelier has, after a 5-year campaign, recently convinced ministers to scrap laws that barred bars and restaurants from selling wine “by the sip”.

The 25ml sip measure – a fifth of a small glass of wine is now back on sale in the Wonder Bar in Selfridges. Meaning that premium wines such as a 2006 Chateauneuf-de-Pape Domaine de Vieux Telegraphe.

The recent decision now means that pubs and restaurants can sell wine in any measure below 75ml, whereas, until now, the 1988 Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) Order specified that wine could only be sold in 125ml, 175ml & 250ml.

Will this mean pub, bar or restaurant customers may be tempted to treat themselves to or sample some premium, quality wines at an affordable price?

Find the the scanned article here.