For British wine lovers feeling the pinch from rising alcohol prices and tax hikes, a Grape Escape to Calais could be just the answer. With the option to purchase wines at duty-free prices, savvy shoppers can enjoy significant savings compared to buying on the UK high street. In this article, we’ll break down the actual cost benefits, compare popular wines and champagnes, and explain how to maximize your savings at Calais Vins—including taking advantage of free ferry trips.
The Rising Cost of Wine in the UK
Over the past few years, UK wine prices have steadily increased, driven by inflation, rising import costs, and recent changes in alcohol duties. A January 2024 report revealed a 9.6% surge in alcohol prices over the previous year. As a result, more Brits are looking across the Channel for cost-effective alternatives.
Calais Vins, located just a short drive from the ferry terminal or Eurotunnel exit, offers a wide selection of wines at prices significantly lower than those in the UK. With options to reclaim VAT, take advantage of duty-free allowances, and even enjoy a free ferry trip with qualifying pre-orders, a visit to Calais Vins could turn your wine shopping into an affordable and enjoyable day trip. Learn more about how to maximize your duty-free savings.
The Free Ferry Offer: Adding Extra Value to Your Grape Escape
One of the standout perks of shopping at Calais Vins is the free ferry trip offer , which makes the journey even more worthwhile.
Here’s how it works:
• Pre-order €300 or more: When you place an order worth at least €300, you qualify for a free day-trip ferry crossing with P&O Ferries. This covers your transport costs, making your Grape Escape essentially cost-free on the travel front.
• Pre-order €700 or more: If you plan to stock up even more, a €700 pre-order entitles you to a three-day trip, giving you more time to explore Calais, enjoy the local attractions, and sample wines at your leisure.
By combining these offers with the substantial savings on wine prices, you can maximize the value of your trip. Essentially, the more you buy, the more you save—and the free ferry trip is the cherry on top, making it a win-win situation.
Price Comparison: Calais Vins vs. UK High Street
To answer the question, "How much can you save on wine in Calais compared to the UK?", we’ll look at a few popular wine and champagne choices and compare their prices on both sides of the Channel.
Champagne and Sparkling wines prices in France
Laurent Perrier Champagne Brut
UK Price: Typically sold at around £44-£46 per bottle. (Wine Direct)
Calais Vins Price: Available for €41,95 (£35 after tax refunds).
Savings: This translates to about £9-£12 per bottle, which is considerable if you’re planning to stock up for a wedding or a special occasion. Explore our curated Champagne selection for special events.
Champagne Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial
The price for Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial at Calais Vins is listed as €39.95, which works out to approximately £33.96 after the VAT refund. In contrast, on the UK high street, this champagne typically sells for around £45-£50, depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions. This means purchasing at Calais Vins offers savings of roughly £11-£16 per bottle, making it a worthwhile option for stocking up on a premium champagne at a lower price.
Alexandre Demarjory Brut Champagne
Calais Vins Price: €18.95 (approx. £16.11 after VAT refund).
A more affordable Champagne option compared to major brands like Moët & Chandon, which retail for £40+ in the UK.
Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé Bailly Lapierre
Calais Vins Price: €9.95 (approx. £8.46 after VAT refund).
This sparkling wine offers an alternative to Champagne and is priced much lower than most non-vintage champagnes on the UK high street, where prices typically start around £15-£20.
Bordeaux wines at Calais, France
Château Recougne Bordeaux Supérieur
UK Price: Priced between £10 and £12 at most UK supermarkets.
Calais Vins Price: €7,95, which comes to around £6.76 after tax refunds.
Savings: You save up to £5 per bottle. When buying in bulk, such as a case of 12, the total savings quickly add up.
Château Cissac Haut-Médoc
UK Price: Roughly £19-£22.
Calais Vins Price: Available for €13.90 (around £11.80 after tax refunds).
Savings: You can save £9-£10 per bottle. This high-quality Bordeaux is a great choice for collectors and enthusiasts looking for a classic French wine at a lower cost.
La Rose Perruchon Lussac Saint Emilion
Calais Vins Price: €7.95 (approx. £6.76 after VAT refund)
UK Price: In the UK, similar Saint-Émilion wines are typically priced at £12-£14 per bottle, offering savings of around £5-£7 per bottle.
Château Marceau Bordeaux
Calais Vins Price: €4.95 (approx. £4.21 after VAT refund)
UK Price: At places like Vivino and other online retailers, prices for similar basic Bordeaux wines start around £7-£8 per bottle
Rhônes Wines for sell at Calais
Guigal Côtes du Rhône
- UK Price: Around £11.99, sometimes discounted to £8.99.
- Calais Vins Price: €9.90 (about £8.40 after tax refunds).
Savings: This brings savings of £3-£4 per bottle, making it a more affordable option for everyday drinking or casual dinners.
Burgundy wines in our Calais store
Petit Chablis Domaine Lecestre
• Calais Vins Price: €13.95 (around £11.86 after VAT refund).
• In the UK, Petit Chablis usually costs around £18-£20, making this a good choice for those seeking classic Burgundy wines at lower prices.
Languedoc Roussillon Wines at Calais Vins and Olivier Vins
Tariquet Classic Côtes de Gascogne White Wine
Calais Vins Price: €5.95 (approx. £5.06 after VAT refund).
Compared to entry-level French white wines sold in UK supermarkets, typically priced around £8-£10, this offers a significant saving.
The Appeal of Duty-Free Shopping
Why Duty-Free Matters
Post-Brexit changes have reinstated duty-free allowances for UK shoppers, allowing you to bring back up to 18 litres of wine (equivalent to 24 standard bottles) and 42 litres of beer without paying UK duties. For sparkling wine and spirits, the allowance is also generous—9 litres of sparkling wine or 4 litres of spirits over 22% alcohol. Discover the benefits of duty-free shopping post-Brexit.
These allowances mean you can take advantage of substantial savings by purchasing wine in France and bringing it back to the UK. The more you buy, the greater the potential savings, especially when combining discounts, bulk purchases, VAT refunds, and the free ferry trip offer.
Understanding the VAT Refund Process
Calais Vins has simplified the VAT reclaim process for British shoppers through partnerships with companies like Global Blue and Skiptax. Here’s how it works:
• Collect a Tax-Free Form: When making your purchase, request a tax-free form from the store.
• Scan the Bar Code at the Departure Terminal: You can do this at PABLO kiosks located in the ferry port or Eurotunnel terminal.
• Receive Your Refund: After submitting the form, the VAT refund is processed within 3-5 days, returning about 15% of your purchase amount.
This straightforward system enables British travelers to maximize their savings and make their Grape Escape even more worthwhile. Learn more about how the VAT refund works for British travelers.
More Than Just Wine: The Grape Escape Experience
Visiting Calais for wine shopping isn’t just about the savings. Discover why a visit to Calais Vins is more than just a shopping trip. You can enjoy local sights and attractions like the mechanical dragon and explore the best of Calais.
Conclusion: Is It Worth the Trip?
The answer is a resounding yes. When considering "How much can you save on wine in Calais compared to the UK?", it’s clear that the potential savings can be substantial. Combine this with the free ferry trip offer, duty-free allowances, and a seamless VAT reclaim process, and you have a compelling case for making your next wine purchase in Calais.
With Calais Vins, your journey across the Channel isn’t just about the savings; it’s about the experience of discovering new wines, enjoying French hospitality, and making the most of a Grape Escape.