#503 I wish...

One of my colleagues brought a bottle of Champagne back from France that cost him €10.00.  That is eight and a half quid to you and me.  It is called Philippe Martin Cuvee Speciale and is pretty good.  Soft bruised apples on the nose, a little bit of tart, home made lemonade and then a clay like aroma.  The palate has again some lovely citrus, pencil shavings and a little bit of grapefruit pith.  84pts.

The problem we have in the UK, is that we would have to pay £20 for it.  That is after factoring in duty, VAT, carriage and retailers profit margin.  Now as a retailer, I'm not begrudging the retailers' profit margin - it keeps me employed!  The carriage (around 42 pence per bottle) is a necessary evil, but the balance (over a fiver) goes to HMRC.  I know we have an NHS, I know we have clean streets, the police force and a military and we've all enjoyed the Olympics, but I would like good bottles of Champagne a bit cheaper.