Wine tax goes mainstream with BBC R4 focus

Plans to overhaul the UK's alcohol duty system, discussed on BBC Radio 4 this week, have raised concerns among wine producers, merchants and retailers, who warn that the new regulations could increase costs, disrupt trade and limit the range of wines available to consumers.

Trade amplifies pleas to new government

With a new day and a new government in situ in Westminster, the trade has reiterated the need for support for the UK’s struggling hospitality sector, with reform to business rates and permanently extending the duty easement both top of the agenda.

Sparkling wine premium could be scrapped in alcohol duty overhaul

Reports from the national press suggest that the premium on sparkling wine duty could be scrapped by chancellor Rishi Sunak in the upcoming Autumn Budget in a move which could bring sparkling wine duty in line with still.

Wine Drinkers UK call for wine duty freeze

A combination of climate change, labour shortages and increased shipping costs are threatening Britain’s wine supplies, with price rises likely to follow, Wine Drinkers UK (WDUK) has claimed.

Beale: ‘Punishingly high duty rates stifling home grown wine and spirit businesses’

The WSTA has renewed its calls on the Chancellor to cut alcohol duty to allow UK businesses to “thrive and compete on a global stage”. 

Threat of ‘WineExit’

EU producers should lobby in tandem with UK importers for the best mutual outcome, stresses Harpers’ Brexit panel at Wine Paris

Rising price of wine threatens half of UK shoppers

The average retail price of a bottle of still wine will break the £6 barrier in the UK for the first time this year, according to new figures from the WSTA.

Duty increase backfires

The last hike in wine duty delivered an own goal, denting government revenues. Andrew Catchpole asks if a limit has been reached

London restaurateurs call for wine duty cut

Government hit by fall in wine-duty revenues

Wine duty receipts fell back 2.1% in the first six months of the financial year, according to data released by the government.

Jerry Lockspeiser: What can the wine trade learn from Dominic Cummings?

This piece is about how to sell wine. It starts from the premise that to be successful we should get out of our wine focused ghetto and look at other sectors for learnings and inspiration. That doesn’t just mean craft gin and beer. It can be a myriad of places. Even politics.

WSTA reiterates ‘duty rise’ and ‘no deal' Brexit concerns to government

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this week reiterated the “bleak picture” a ‘no deal Brexit’, combined with the pending duty rise, would paint for UK wine importers.

Missed opportunity: What a rise with inflation means for the UK wine trade

Pub landlords and spirits importers will be breathing a sigh of relief this morning, but not the nation’s wine trade – which is looking at an extra £90 million bill in duty next year.

Duty frozen for spirits, cider and beer, but wine will rise with inflation

Investing in Britain’s future was one of the anthems that ran through Philip Hammond’s autumn Budget speech this afternoon.

Wine companies join forces to call for wine duty freeze

UK wine businesses have joined forces to call for a freeze to wine duty at the Budget next week. 


Major English wine producers back WSTA's call for a freeze on wine duty

Major English and Welsh wine producers have joined forces with the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) to lobby the Chancellor for a cut to wine duty in the November Budget.