Big names including Majestic and Laithwaites hope to head off price rises whereby drinks will be taxed on ABV

As a rule, retailers tend to trumpet price cuts and keep quiet about increases but wine sellers are breaking ranks to warn customers of looming rises due to a shake-up of the way wine is taxed.

The big names behind the campaign include Majestic Wine, Laithwaites, Cambridge Wine Merchants and the Wine Society, who are trying to head off a new alcohol duty system “before it’s too late”. The industry has previously said the price of 75% of red wines would increase on the back of the new rules.