Sir, - Kevin Myers's article (August 20th) made me see red! As a consumer, and lover of wine, let me pose a question. Why is the wine industry being held up to such ridicule, with such a flippant and undermining article for the second time in the past twelve months? The first article was a "direct hit" on French wines in relation to value via quality, and it was generally proved that Mr Myers was wrong. He was not comparing like with like, and there are many good value French wines on the market to suit all pockets and tastes.
This latest meandering can only be perceived as his "parting shot" to an industry which has been very good to him in the past. Let's face it Kevin, nobody placed a ring in your nose, dragged you on a plane, and force fed you with fine wine and food on the many trips at home or abroad, which you have attended. This latest offering shows all the signs of you being a "pretentious git", who obviously never deserved access to such tastings, as these appear to have been wasted upon you. These tastings are very necessary for both the trade and public, i.e. off licences, restaurants, supermarkets, and the general public who wish to attend same, an opportunity to collectively taste and compare what they wish to sell and what the public may like to buy.
Mr Myers, why do you only now have a problem with the wine trade? Your article was a cheap shot, and set out to undermine all the good work that the likes of Dominque Geary (Sopexa) and Johnnie McDonald (Australian Wine Board) among many others who have worked very hard to give the public and the trade a better understanding of what is available in today's market.
I can only assume that this is your "going away speech" (as you state that you do not wish to attend any more tastings). It should now leave a space for someone who has a genuine appreciation of wine. - Yours, etc., DAVID HOULIHAN,
Rostrevor Rd, Dublin 6.