UK Alcohol Duty Changes 2026
Duty Changes 2026: What Wine Drinkers Need to Know
From 1 February 2026, the UK enters the next stage of its alcohol duty reform. Duty continues to be calculated according to alcohol by volume, meaning the strength of a wine has a more direct influence on the final price.
At Secret Bottle Shop, we have put together a clear explanation of what is changing, how duty is calculated, and what this means for the bottles you enjoy most.
Why duty rates are changing in 2026
The Government is continuing its move toward a strength based system where higher alcohol drinks pay more duty and lower alcohol drinks pay less. This approach began in 2023 and the 2026 update is the next scheduled uprating in line with inflation.
Any wine released from bonded storage after 1 February 2026 will use the new rates. Retailers simply need to ensure the correct duty is applied at the correct time so that pricing remains accurate.
How the 2026 duty system works for wine
Still and sparkling wines between 8.5 percent and 22 percent alcohol are charged at a single rate per litre of pure alcohol. This means duty increases gradually as alcohol content rises. The difference between two wines is usually measured in a few pence rather than large jumps.
The table below shows the duty per 75cl bottle at different strengths, using the 2026 rates.
2026 Alcohol Duty Rates per 75cl Bottle
| ABV | Old Duty | New Duty (from 1 Feb 2026) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5% | £1.88 | £1.95 | £0.07 |
| 9% | £1.99 | £2.07 | £0.08 |
| 9.5% | £2.10 | £2.18 | £0.08 |
| 10% | £2.21 | £2.30 | £0.09 |
| 10.5% | £2.32 | £2.41 | £0.09 |
| 11% | £2.43 | £2.52 | £0.09 |
| 11.5% | £2.54 | £2.64 | £0.10 |
| 12% | £2.65 | £2.75 | £0.10 |
| 12.5% | £2.76 | £2.87 | £0.11 |
| 13% | £2.88 | £2.99 | £0.11 |
| 13.5% | £2.99 | £3.10 | £0.11 |
| 14% | £3.10 | £3.22 | £0.12 |
| 14.5% | £3.21 | £3.33 | £0.12 |
| 15% | £3.32 | £3.45 | £0.13 |
| 15.5% | £3.43 | £3.56 | £0.13 |
| 16% | £3.54 | £3.67 | £0.13 |
| 16.5% | £3.65 | £3.79 | £0.14 |
| 17% | £3.76 | £3.90 | £0.14 |
| 17.5% | £3.87 | £4.02 | £0.15 |
| 18% | £3.98 | £4.13 | £0.15 |
| 18.5% | £4.09 | £4.24 | £0.15 |
| 19% | £4.20 | £4.36 | £0.16 |
| 19.5% | £4.32 | £4.48 | £0.16 |
| 20% | £4.43 | £4.60 | £0.17 |
| 20.5% | £4.54 | £4.71 | £0.17 |
| 21% | £4.65 | £4.83 | £0.18 |
| 21.5% | £4.76 | £4.94 | £0.18 |
| 22% | £4.87 | £5.05 | £0.18 |
Which wines are most affected
Lighter whites and rose
Styles such as Vinho Verde, German Riesling and many rose wines sit at the lower end of the alcohol scale. These see some of the smallest increases. You can explore similar styles in our wine collection.
Classic reds and fuller whites
Many popular wines fall into this range, including Rioja, Bordeaux, Chianti, Malbec and richer Chardonnay. The duty increase is usually around ten to twelve pence per bottle. Browse our red wines and white wines.
Champagne and sparkling wine
Still and sparkling wines now share the same duty structure between 8.5 and 22 percent alcohol. The 2026 change is simply an inflationary adjustment. Explore our Champagne range and wider sparkling wine selection.
Port, Sherry and other fortified wines
Fortified wines naturally attract more duty due to their higher strength. The 2026 uprating adds around sixteen to eighteen pence per bottle at typical fortified wine strengths. You can discover our fortified range, including Port and Sherry, in the Port collection and Sherry collection.
How much difference customers will see
Duty is only one part of a bottle’s final price. Shipping, packaging, producer costs, margins and VAT all contribute. Because the 2026 duty rise is broadly in line with inflation, most customers will see only a modest adjustment rather than a dramatic change.
How Secret Bottle Shop is responding
We monitor duty changes closely and adjust pricing carefully to keep things fair and transparent. Our focus remains on offering strong value across our range, from everyday favourites to fine and rare bottles.
If you have questions about how duty affects a particular wine or spirit, our team is always happy to help you choose the right bottle.
You can also explore our latest arrivals in What’s New or browse more guides in our blog.