Wednesday, February 20, 2019

A Not So Bubbly Brexit


Yet another reason why Brexit is causing headaches on both sides of the Channel. With its exit from the single market comes an exit from the single wine market, too. Brexit will come with new tariffs on wine imports into the UK, including a likely end to the 120 liters of wine that UK nationals can currently bring back duty-free from other EU countries. Given that the UK imported nearly £1 billion worth of wine from France in pre-Brexit 2015. The Brits had better hope that global warming makes for prime wine country within their borders, ASAP.

In the meantime, forward-looking businesses and consumers are trying to at least build runways to help their supplies last. LVMH has added four months of wine and spirits inventory (including of its Moët & Chandon champagne and Hennessey Cognac) to its U.K. stockpiles. Particularly thirsty consumers are making the three hour road trip to Calais, and even the five hour trek to the Champagne region itself, to stock up on lower-priced vino. A temporary insurance provider has created a calculator to help these savvy consumers calculate just how much they can save, based on today’s prices.

A glass of champagne makes everything better. But what will Brits do when the go-to panacea becomes the very reason for their pain?

Sources:


No comments:

Post a Comment