Wine prices could increase by Sk30 (€0.70) through a combination of a Sk2,500 (€61) tax per hectolitre and 20 percent VAT, if parliament agrees to Finance Minister Ivan Mikloš's tax reforms.
"If the government adopts this excise tax, they will be announcing an indirect prohibition on wine," said Miloš Ševčík, executive director of the Slovak Association of Grape and Wine Producers.
Wine producers are concerned that there will be a sharp drop in consumption of wine if the tax reforms are enacted.
Compiled by Conrad Toft from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.