The Booze Cruise Isn’t Dead: It Has Evolved (Post-Brexit Wine Buying Habits)
Q: Did Brexit kill the booze cruise?
No - it reshaped it. The new UK allowance now limits travellers to 18 litres of still wine (24 bottles) and 9 litres of sparkling wine. While this ended the era of vans loaded with 150–200 bottles, all recent British press investigations agree: the booze run still makes financial sense.
As The Drinks Business reports:
“Rumours of the death of the booze cruise have been greatly exaggerated.”
Source: The Drinks Business
Q: Why do Brits still buy wine in Calais in 2025?
Because French retail prices remain £3–£6 cheaper per bottle than in UK supermarkets, the VAT refund returns around 15%, and the selection in Calais wine stores is significantly larger. For many travellers, taking advantage of duty-free rules makes the whole trip even more appealing.
The Telegraph confirms that despite travel costs, the booze run “still stacks up.”
Source: The Telegraph
What Wines Brits ACTUALLY Buy in Calais (Based on Real Merchant Testimonies)
Q: What wine do Brits buy in Calais?
Across four major British newspapers and interviews with Calais Vins and Olivier Vins merchants, the patterns are consistent. According to Jérôme Pont (Calais Vins):
“Bordeaux and Languedoc are the stars.”
According to Olivier Versmisse (Olivier, Vins et Compagnie):
“People used to buy 150 bottles… now they buy 24, but better wine.”
✔ Most purchased wines by UK travellers:
- Bordeaux reds
- Languedoc reds
- Beaujolais (Fleurie, Brouilly, Juliénas)
- Whispering Angel rosé
- Loire whites (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé)
- €8–€10 value wines
This matches the 24-bottle selection purchased by UK journalists in Daily Mail (Jeff Mills: How to save a fortune by stocking up in Clais) ( and This Is Money (Toby Walne).
How Much Do Brits Save? (Calais vs UK Wine Prices)
Q: Is it still worth buying wine in Calais?
Yes - every British media outlet reached the same conclusion.
✔ Real receipt example (This Is Money):
- 24 bottles: €298 (£261)
- VAT refund: €45
- Final total: £222
- £9.25 per bottle vs £15–£18 in the UK
- Saving: £138
Source: This Is Money
✔ Whispering Angel price difference
- UK: ~£22
- Calais: €16.95 (£14.90)
- £7 cheaper per bottle
✔ Champagne & Bordeaux examples
British journalists frequently report Champagne and Bordeaux being £10–£15 cheaper in Calais than in UK retail.
Q: What does a typical UK traveller buy?
Because of the 24-bottle limit, British customers increasingly opt for curated mixed cases, often guided by French sommeliers. This balance of quality and savings is what drives most purchases today.
✔ Typical 24-bottle British basket (2025):
- 6 Bordeaux
- 4 Languedoc reds
- 6 Fleurie / Brouilly
- 4 Loire whites
- 2 rosé (often Whispering Angel)
- 2 “pépites” / discovery bottles
Jérôme Pont confirms: “Most UK travellers buy 24 bottles in the €8–€10 range.”
Beyond Wine: What Else Brits Buy in Calais
Q: Do UK customers only buy wine?
No - whisky, rum and beer are major draws.
✔ Calais Vins selection:
- 300+ whiskies
- 250 rums
- 100 gins
- 400 beers
- Non-alcoholic wines & spirits
The Drinks Business reports:
“We have the best whisky selection north of Paris.”
What the British Press Says About Calais Vins & Olivier Vins
✔ The Drinks Business
Praises Calais Vins for its 4,300+ wines and UK-friendly expertise. Read article
✔ Daily Mail
Jeff Mills praises sommelier-style guidance by Stéphane Comello:
“Guided me through like having my own sommelier.”
Read article
✔ The Sun
In a special feature for The Sun, wine experts Ben McFarland & Tom Sandham — also known as The Thinking Drinkers — took the ferry to Calais to test the modern-day booze cruise. Their verdict? “Absolutely worth it.”
From expert advice at Calais Vins to VAT refunds and a full trolley of Champagne, their journey is both informative and entertaining.
→ Read their full adventure in our special feature
✔ This Is Money
Toby Walne describes Calais Vins as “fabulously stocked” and details precise savings.
Read article
✔ The Telegraph
Says the booze run “still stacks up” with smart buying + VAT refund.
Read article
Olivier Vins & Compagnie
Praised for premium wines like Mouton Rothschild and unbeatable €5 value bottles.
Olivier Versmisse’s famous quote:
“People used to buy 150 bottles… now they buy 24, but better.”
FAQ: What Brits Ask Before Buying Wine in Calais
Is Whispering Angel cheaper in Calais?
Yes — around £7 cheaper per bottle.
What are the best wines under €10?
Languedoc, Beaujolais Villages, Bordeaux Supérieur.
Is it legal to bring 24 bottles?
Yes - it is the official UK allowance: 18L still / 9L sparkling / 42L beer / 4L spirits.
What wine is cheapest for UK customers?
Languedoc offers the best value-for-money ratios in Calais.
Does the booze run still make sense financially?
Yes - especially with VAT refund and a full 24-bottle selection.
Q: Is it still worth buying wine in Calais?
Yes — every British media outlet reached the same conclusion. With UK alcohol prices surging in 2024, Calais Vins has seen a rise in British customers looking for savings.
