On the Ground... 2

It’s probably churlish to say that at the International Wine and Spirits Awards there’s a touch of The Late Late Show about it with an award for nearly everyone in the audience. However, at this year’s ceremony Lidl won ‘Spirits Buying Team of the Year’ and a silver medal for its Vodka Putinoff Premium brand (€11.99 for 500ml ). It’s also worth noting that its Dundalgan Irish Whiskey (€15.99 for 700ml ) is made by Cooley Distillery, named European Spirits Producer of the Year at the same event. As Christmas tipples go, whether in cocktails or for soaking the Christmas cake fruit, there’s always a market for such well-priced and well-made spirits.