Wine And Spirits Committee Update For 2026

Movements of stock has been quite low for the Wine and Spirits Committee. The reason that not a lot is happening is a mix of factors. Partly, it is because of increased costs, together with tax hikes. But also the fiscal pressures around the Livery, as elsewhere, has demanded a need to carefully monitor expenditure and stock holding. This meant that your Committee has embarked on a relatively small volume of purchases in late 2025, and have no further need at the present time for any additions to stocks. We do, however, keep our eyes, ears and palates open for any items of interest and or value that might add to our Livery’s reserves .

The Committee does not lose sight of its primary objective: this means that we continue to punch above our weight in the livery dining arena – and provide quality wines and spirits at reasonable prices. The committee of 5 is strongly committed to this.

There are rising pressures rehearsed across the City over the increasing costs of hall hire, joined by food and labour costs, and corkage, that all add to unwanted escalation in our Event ticket prices for 2026. These are always under review although we can guarantee that per person wine and spirit costs per head for our events remain at a fairly static level over the years with no diminution of quality.

Our Committee motto remains very much that “life is too short to drink rubbish wine!”

Past Master Allan Cheesman Chair of Wine And Spirits Committee