The True Cost of Your Wine Habit: How Much Are You Really Spending Over 10 Years?

For many of us in the UK, enjoying a glass of wine at the end of the week feels like a harmless treat. But have you ever stopped to calculate what that “one bottle a week” habit actually costs over time? You might be shocked to discover the total — especially if you’re drinking more than one bottle per week.

In this post, we’ll break down exactly how much your wine habit costs over a year and over a decade. The numbers might just make you rethink your next trip to the off-licence.

How Much Does Wine Really Cost Over Time?

We’ve based our figures on the UK average price of a bottle of wine at £10. Here’s what your weekly, annual, and 10-year wine bill looks like:

                          |Cost Week | Annual Cost     | 10-Year Cost

1 bottle/week    | £10           | £520                   | £5,200

2 bottles/week   | £20           | £1,040                 | £10,400

3 bottles/week   | £30           | £1,560                 | £15,600

4 bottles/week   | £40           | £2,080                 | £20,800

5 bottles/week   | £50           | £2,600                 | £26,000

6 bottles/week   | £60           | £3,120                 | £31,200

7 bottles/week   | £70           | £3,640                 | £36,400

The 10-Year Factor

• One bottle a week: £5,200 over 10 years — enough for a luxury holiday.
• Four bottles a week: £20,800 over 10 years — a brand-new car.
• Seven bottles a week: £36,400 over 10 years — a house deposit in some UK regions.

When you see the numbers stacked like this, that “cheap” bottle of wine suddenly looks very expensive.

What Could You Do With That Money Instead?

If you invested that £10 per week instead, even with a modest 5% annual return, you could have thousands more in your savings pot after a decade. You could:

• Fund a dream holiday every year.
• Boost your retirement savings.
• Pay off debt years earlier.

Small Changes, Big Savings

You don’t have to give up wine entirely — but being mindful of how much you drink and spend can free up serious money for things that matter more.

Try cutting down by one bottle a week and see the savings pile up. Over 10 years, that’s an extra £5,200 in your pocket.

Final takeaway: Next time you reach for the wine shelf, remember — every bottle is either a night of drinking… or a step closer to your financial goals.