Helen McGinn Here’s a sobering thought: spend £5 on a bottle of wine and more than 60% of the cost is tax. That’s £2.23 on duty (gulp) plus another 20% on VAT. And whilst beer and spirits have enjoyed duty freezes in recent years, tax on wine has been rising for a decade (39% since since 2010 to be precise). I talked about this on the radio on Friday – a lot – to help raise awareness for the Cut Back Wine Tax campaign. Of course booze should be taxed but it doesn’t seem fair that wine is seemingly singled out. So if you’re a wine drinker and want to add your voice to the call for a fairer tax deal, visit winedrinkersuk.co.uk and simply click to get involved. Cheers, winos x
Current white in the fridge: Invivo X, Sarah Jessica Parker
Price: £12.00 - Buy From Sainsbury's
Sarah Jessica Parker made a wine! Well, New Zealand producers Invivo made it but she helped put the blend together. And she had a hand in the (beautiful) packaging too, picking the teal blue on the label to match her favourite pair of shoes. Natch. I had to review it for the paper last week and was dreading not liking it because, well, she’s Carrie. But in fact it’s great; fresh and tropical-fruity and really rather fabulous.
Current red in the rack: Moueix Saint Emilion
Price: £15.00 - Buy From M&S
A bit toppy price-wise but this wine has got serious pedigree. Christian Moueix used to make wine for some of the most famous names in Bordeaux including Chateau Petrus and he’s made this one exclusively for M&S. It’s a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, full of all the kind of flavours you want from a well-made, expensive-tasting Claret. Think earthy black fruits, spice, a bit of leather, a touch of smoke and tannins as soft as velvet slippers. Drink fireside, plate of strong cheese within reach.
