That’s chilling ... price of a bottle of wine rises by 45p

IN the height of summer, many of us enjoy a glass of rose in the sun.

But wine-lovers may be disappointed this year as the price of a bottle will rise by around 45p in an alcohol tax raid expected to be announced today.

The Chancellor is set to confirm that alcohol duties will rise with inflation.

A long-awaited shake-up of alcohol duties will kick in this August, with stronger drinks facing higher taxes.

But he was last night warned that the ‘two-pronged attack’ on wine drinkers would be a ‘crippling blow’ to the UK alcohol industry and consumers, amid the rising cost of living. Mr Hunt is widely expected to also confirm that the freeze on alcohol duty will end on August 1.

The changes could amount to a 20 per cent tax rise on a bottle of wine – while port is set to increase by £1.29 a bottle.

It would be the biggest single increase in almost 50 years, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. Miles Beale, of the WTSA, said the increases will be a ‘crippling blow’ to consumers paying the price for tax rises in a cost-of-living crisis.