Buckfast, why not seen
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 12:28 am
Often featuring in here, as an occasional discussion spin-off, its fairly invisible on many of the larger supermarket shelves as far as I can see, and I imagined they just didn't want to be associated with it, as it's fairly well evident in most 'convenience' stores. This may be why:
The recipe for Buckfast Tonic wine is attributed to the French monks who settled at Buckfast Abbey in the 1880's. Wines from Spain, known as mistellas, were imported and to these were added the tonic ingredients according to an old recipe. Despite its monastic origins, Buckfast has become notorious because of its popularity amongst "binge drinkers" who can often be the cause of anti-social behaviour. So the Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson recently wrote to the head of the Co-Operative Retail chain (which has links with the Labour Party) asking them to remove Buckfast from their shelves - and the company agreed. The Justice Minister then urged other local shop-keepers to do the same. Understandably, the company selling the wine is aggrieved at being singled out - especially as there are other products which can deliver more alcohol per pound spent. The distributors have instructed their lawyers to seek legal redress. Local authorities can ban the sale of products, but cannot single out specific brands and it is argued that the Justice Minister is guilty of a restrictive trade practice.