Rip-off wine prices in bars and restaurants

I received a letter from a relatively regular contributor from which I will feature some excerpts:

As you know, the price of foreign wines of EU origin has tumbled, often to lower prices than Maltese equivalents, but restaurants are still charging higher prices for 'foreign' wines. We were recently charged Lm8.50 for an ordinary Gavi, and two of the last five or so restaurants we went to were still charging exhorbitant prices for foreign wines.

Don't you think that this wine thing might be a good cause to take up in your column?

One way to make restaurants lower their prices would be to ask readers to send the names of restaurants that have reduced their prices. (George Debono)

Yet again, it is up to us consumers to maximise on the principles of a liberalised marketplace by sharing information about outlets where they charge reasonable prices.

Our strongest weapon is our right to choose, and to take our custom to those outlets prepared to charge reasonable rates. I appeal to consumers who are interested in joining forces by setting up a group to shop around and share information to write to me.

I take the opportunity to invite bars and restaurants where they charge reasonable prices to write to me.