Peter Darbyshire, managing director of wine agency PLB, has added to the uncertainty surrounding the result of the General Election by saying it has left the drinks industry in limbo.

"This result confirms and prolongs the uncertainty that already exists for the drinks trade because we have no idea what financial provisions an interim government will make: we don't know if it will be pro or anti the drinks trade though we can all imagine that we will remain a tempting short-term revenue raising target for any government, coalition or otherwise. All the market wants is clarity because you can cope with pretty much anything as long as you know what you're coping with."

He added:"Monsieur Colbert, Louis XIV's Finance Minister once said, 'The art of plucking the goose lies in obtaining a maximum number of feathers for
the minimum amount of hissing' - or words to that effect. From a trade perspective we definitely feel well plucked."