Victoria Moore, a wine correspondent from the Telegraph Newspaper, discusses the impact of inflation on wine prices in her recent article (article might be behind paywall by the time you read this). She notes that British shoppers are typically thrifty when buying wine, often seeking the best deals, particularly in supermarkets. Moore acknowledges the challenge in assessing the value of wine due to three main factors: general inflation, the increased cost of materials like glass and a significant duty rise on wine.
It is suggested that to maintain the same quality of wine as 18 months ago, consumers should expect to spend at least £1.50 more per bottle. She points out that tax takes up a significant portion of a wine’s cost, with more than half of a £7.50 bottle going to VAT and duty.
To help UK consumers find good value, Moore recommends three wines:
- Cave de Turckheim Crémant d’Alsace NV, France, available at Waitrose for £9.99 (down from £13.99 until 28 November 2023). This is a dry and fresh sparkling wine with almond notes.
- Adnams Carménère 2021 from Central Valley, Chile, priced at £8.49 from Adnams. It’s described as vivid and generously flavoured, with tastes of blackcurrants, peppers and pink peppercorns.
- The Society’s Côtes de Bordeaux 2020, France, available from The Wine Society for £9.95. This is a blend of merlot and cabernet franc, full-bodied with a redcurrant leaf and damson perfume.
