On the grapevine

Another 10p duty on a bottle of wine means that we are now among the most heavily taxed nations in Europe when it comes to alcohol. The average price of a bottle of wine is £4.32, and of that around 57 per cent goes straight to the Government in duty and VAT.

By The Newsroom

Published 30th Mar 2010, 14:49 BST

Updated 30th Mar 2010, 14:50 BST

The tax on wine has increased by 25 per cent since March 2008, and has raised an additional 4bn since Labour came to power in 1997. These latest increases are likely to be phased in gradually, so expect prices to stay the same for a while, but retailers cannot absorb this duty hike for long.

Serious business

If you have always wanted to get into the wine business, you can now do a specialist MBA in wine business management at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester. This is not the kind of qualification you need if all you want to do is run a small shop, but if you have one of the major wine companies in mind, then this might be for you.

Charity tasting

The Laura Crane Trust,which helps young people suffering from cancer, will benefit from a wine tasting at Hoults in Huddersfield on April 23. Tickets cost 12.50 and every penny goes to the charity. Ring 01484 510700 for details.