Low-alcohol wine tax band “a long way off” (UK)

Wine and Spirit Trade Association chief executive Jeremy Beadles has admitted that the industry body is still “a long way” from convincing the UK Treasury to introduce a new tax band for low alcohol wines. Speaking to The Drinks Business, Beadles said he remained “hopeful” of a breakthrough, but conceded the process might take as long as “nine to 12 months”. Beadles last week told the WSTA conference in London the organisation was keen to work on “opportunities for a new wine tax band between 5.5% and 8% abv.”