(SMH) - RETAILERS GO TO WAR OVER FINE WINE.

When you think of Costco your first thoughts probably aren't of the world's best wine but the US retailer is in a price war over the newly released Grange Hermitage 2008.

A price war has broken out among retailers hoping to lure buyers of the ‘perfect’ 2008 Penfolds Grange with the lowest over-the-counter price. Liquor chain Dan Murphy's cut its price from $669 to $645 in a bid to match US discount supermarket Costco as the cheapest place buy a bottle of the new release. 

Shortly after 11am, Costco had knocked a further $5 off its ticket price, bringing it down to $645. Independent wine merchant Kemenys, based in Sydney, is also selling the wine for $645. Advertisement Earlier, Coles-owned 1st Choice liquor chain matched the original Dan Murphys price of $669 a bottle. The wine carries a recommended retail price of $785.