Drinking beer supports farmers, and many of us gladly sacrifice our liver to help. And while wine has put many a stomach on war footing, we still have compassion for those who make it. However, what we are hearing from the vino-swilling faction is shocking: glass bottles are becoming scarce. The first vintners are already sounding the alarm and fear that they will soon be unable to “bottle” their fermented juice.

Our recommendation: boxed wine. The combination of a printed cardboard carton and a five-litre plastic bag ensconcing the adult grape drink has long proven its value among inebriates.

And one good thing is that the bag made of polyethylene and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and the pressed wood pulp that contains it won’t shatter on a floor when dropped by someone who has over imbibed. And an empty one is unlikely to break toes…