A graph to peruse while sipping that 2009 Bordeaux
I have no problem with government policies that raise the price of beer to reduce alcohol comsumption and its adverse effects—namely, drunk driving. (That's partly because I can't stand lager or cider—both of which taste like cold piss.)
But here's a policy I like even better: Cheap wine! Yes, it turns out lowering the price of wine means fewer adverse effects of alcohol, in particular binge drinking.
Seems people don't binge drink wine. (No? Pass that Medoc!) That means fewer traffic fatalities as wine becomes a larger share of total alcohol consumption.
This research came about by looking at states that allow wine to be sold in supermarkets, versus states that require you to go to a state liquor store to purchase wine. (Thank god I never lived in one of those states!) Those that allow supermarket purchases of wine have lower prices on wine, since supermarkets offer competitive wine pricing.
So David Cameron, along with increasing the price of Stella, should considering lowering the price of Bordeaux. We'll all live healthier, longer lives, and when Southern England is warm enough to produce decent wine, we'll see a lot more economic benefit.
A Kentish red anyone?
