Bulk of wine consumed in Greece illegal - and excise tax not helping

An excise tax on wine introduced a year ago has resulted in a burgeoning illegal market rather than revenues, which the government had anticipated at 65 million euros per annum in the budget it presented to foreign creditors.

From the tax's introduction in January and until June this year, it brought in just 4 million euros, and despite pressure from frustrated winemakers the government appears unable to say how much money the tax has brought in since.

The National Interprofessional Organization of Vine and Wine of Greece (EDOAO), responsible for the New Wines of Greece campaign, held a press conference recently to highlight what it sees as a failed tax, criticizing the leftist-led government for taking slapdash measures that don't pay off and end up resulting in more taxes. Winemakers note that theirs is one of the only productive sectors that has managed to grow since...