The proposals, contained in October’s Budget, were described by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as the “most radical simplification of alcohol duties for over 140 years”.  Critics have, however, said the complexity would be “crippling” for the trade.

In the Budget, the chancellor said that under the new system for alcohol duty, which is due to start in 2023, taxes on sparkling wine, draught beer and cider would be cut, but would rise for stronger drinks such as red wine.

According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), if wine is taxed according to its alcoholic strength in this way, 70% of all wine, still and sparkling, will go up in price, as will 80% of all still wine, 95% of red wine and 100% of fortified wines.