Tesco's Sneaky Wine Switcheroo Has Rosé Lovers Up in Arms

By HOAR Team 16 May, 2025 5 mins read 104 Views

I'm absolutely fuming. Just discovered my favorite cheap-and-cheerful wine has been watered down AGAIN, while Tesco keeps the price tag firmly in place. The absolute cheek of it!

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When Your Friday Night Tipple Isn't What It Used to Be

Remember back in 2022 when you could grab a bottle of Sundown Beach White Zinfandel and get a proper 10.5% alcohol content? Those were the days. Then last year they quietly dropped it to 8.5%, and now – wait for it – it's slumped to a measly 8%.

Yet they're still charging £4.50 for the privilege!

Duty Dodging or Profit Protecting?

I popped into my local Tesco yesterday and noticed the change while scanning the shelves for my weekend supplies. Nearly put the bottle back when I spotted the new percentage. My friend Sarah (who works at an off-license) texted me later: "They're all at it. Blame the tax man."

And she's right. Tesco hasn't officially explained teh switch, but it doesn't take a genius to work out what's happening. The government's alcohol duty reforms that kicked in this February mean stronger wines get taxed at a higher rate.

Let's do the maths (which, let's be honest, I had to check twice because numbers aren't my strong point). Two years ago, duty on a 10.5% bottle was £2.23 – same as an 8% bottle. But now? An 8% bottle costs £1.54 in duty while a 10.5% one costs £2.33.

The Great British Watering Down

This isn't just happening with my beloved pink plonk. Tesco's Taparoo Valley Australian Shiraz has plummeted from a robust 14% to a pathetic 11% since July 2022. Price? Still £4.15.

Their Caparelli Italian Rose Blush dropped from 12% to 11%, but somehow the price went UP from £4.29 to £5.50 over two years. Make it make sense!

Even their Green Ginger Wine (which my nan swears by for her arthritis... don't ask) has fallen from 15% to 11.5%.

Beer's Getting the Same Treatment

It's not just wine getting the watery treatment. Heineken's Sol has dropped from 4.2% to 3.4%, and John Smith's Extra Smooth is now 3.4% instead of 3.6%.

I spent £24 on a crate last weekend and didn't notice until I got home. Talk about a disappointment! My partner's response: "No wonder I'm not feeling anything after three cans."

What's the Official Line?

When asked about these changes, Tesco came back with the most corporate non-answer imaginable: "We work with our suppliers to ensure that our own-brand wines offer great taste and value for our customers."

Yeah, right.

The Health Angle (Or So They Say...)

Dr Katherine Severi from the Institute of Alcohol Studies suggests there's actually a return to historical norms happening. Apparently before the 90s, we mainly drank European wines which were naturally lower in strength. Then came the Australian and South American boom with their stronger booze.

She claims the government's tax changes are deliberately designed to encourage lower-strength products to help reduce alcohol consumption and related harm.

Look, I get the health concerns. Alcohol deaths are at record highs, and that's genuinely tragic.

But if companies are going to water down our weekend treats, at least have the decency to knock a few pennies off the price!

Anyone else noticed their favorite tipple getting weaker? Or am I just becoming more sensitive in my old age? (Just kidding, I'm only 37... though my liver probably feels 57 after lockdown).

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