Simon Judge

  • Champagne Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée

    Champagne Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée

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    Maison Bruno Paillard is one of Champagne’s few remaining independent, family-owned Houses. They take pride in their ‘Perpetual Reserve’, an impressive collection of reserve wines dating back to 1985, blended with the latest vintage to produce their signature Multi Vintage Champagnes. This blend features 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, and 22% Pinot Meunier, all from…

  • M&S Cuts Wine Prices for Affordable Festive Celebrations

    M&S Cuts Wine Prices for Affordable Festive Celebrations

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    M&S has reduced prices on a third of its wine selection in response to consumer budget concerns, with over 120 wines discounted since April, including 22 more cuts this week. To further support customers ahead of the Christmas season, M&S has also revised its wine deal, offering a 10% discount on four bottles (previously required…

  • 25% Off Wine at Tesco

    25% Off Wine at Tesco

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    Tesco has save 25% off wine with Clubcard when you buy 6+ bottles that are over £5.50 (£7 in Wales), from 12 November 2024 until 2 December 2024. See the Tesco tasting and Picks for tips on what to buy.

  • Asda Extra Special Barossa Shiraz

    Asda Extra Special Barossa Shiraz

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    I often revisit wines I’ve enjoyed at press tastings. Spending days with a bottle rather than seconds gives a fuller picture of its character, especially when comparing with similar wines. This applies to the Asda Extra Special Barossa Shiraz 2022 (£9, 14.5%) that caught my attention at a recent Asda press tasting and I promised…

  • How European Consumers Value Wine

    How European Consumers Value Wine

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    A new study investigates how wine consumers in France, Greece and Italy value various ‘credence attributes’, including wine origin, production methods (conventional, organic, or biodynamic), price and geographical indication (GI). The researchers assessed which attributes most strongly influence purchasing decisions. The analysis revealed that consumers highly value the origin of wine, especially local origins, followed…

  • Cantele Amativo

    Cantele Amativo

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    New from Majestic, this 2022 vintage of Amativo, made by Cantele, is a blend of Puglia’s signature red grapes: Negroamaro and Primitivo. The name “Amativo” merges “AMA” from the amaro in Negroamaro and “TIVO” from Primitivo, symbolising this interesting fusion. This wine has earned an impressive 4.3 rating on Vivino. In the glass, Amativo has…

  • UK is Australia’s Largest Wine Market By Volume

    UK is Australia’s Largest Wine Market By Volume

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    Wine Australia has a new report on the period 12 months to 30 September 2024. The report on Australian wine exports highlights a 34% growth in export value to AUD 2.39 billion in the 12 months ending September 2024, reaching its highest levels since 2021. Exports surged particularly due to the lifting of tariffs on…

  • ZONIN Cuvée Zero

    ZONIN Cuvée Zero

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    ZONIN has a new offering in the increasingly popular area of low- and no-alcohol wines. While many products in this category often taste more like juice than wine, sparkling varieties tend to hold up better due to the appeal of the bubbles. This recent launch from ZONIN, a producer known for premium Prosecco and collaborations…

  • Shoppers Unhappy Over Lower Alcohol Levels in Popular Wines

    Shoppers Unhappy Over Lower Alcohol Levels in Popular Wines

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    The Drinks Business is reporting that Tesco shoppers have voiced frustration online over popular wine brands reducing alcohol content, with some accusing producers of quietly lowering alcohol by volume (ABV) levels. Due to rising UK import duties based on alcohol levels, producers are cutting ABVs on budget wines to manage costs. Concha y Toro, for…

  • Thoughts on Wine Price vs Value

    Thoughts on Wine Price vs Value

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    When you purchase a bottle of wine, you might assume that most of the price goes towards the wine itself. However, the reality is often quite different, particularly for lower-priced and very highly priced wines. Here, I explore the complexities of wine pricing and explain why the relationship between price and quality is not as…

  • M&S Collection Poggio Tosco Chianti Classico Riserva

    M&S Collection Poggio Tosco Chianti Classico Riserva

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    M&S Collection Poggio Tosco Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 is an Italian red from Tuscany, made by the Azienda Uggiano winery. This blend is predominantly Sangiovese (80%) with the remaining 20% likely composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo, given the usual composition of Chianti from this winery. It sits in M&S’s ‘Collection’ range, which features top-tier…

  • Top Sainsbury’s Wines to Impress Without Breaking the Bank

    Top Sainsbury’s Wines to Impress Without Breaking the Bank

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    Rob Buckhaven from Metro explores the stigma around supermarket wines, noting that people are often hesitant to bring own-brand bottles to social events, fearing judgment, though they’re happy to drink them in private. Rob suggests we care less about others’ perceptions, as supermarket wines are often made by top producers and offer excellent value. Here’s…

  • How to Drink Wine

    How to Drink Wine

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    Tom Surgey’s How to Drink Wine is a refreshingly unpretentious guide that demystifies the world of wine. Tom, a well-regarded wine expert, brings a wealth of experience from his years in the industry, from starting as a young enthusiast at The Ivy in London to crafting wine lists for restaurants and representing top wine producers…

  • Co-op Irresistible Assyrtiko

    Co-op Irresistible Assyrtiko

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    Greek wines are enjoying a growing presence in the UK market, with particular popularity around Assyrtiko, a vibrant and flavourful grape variety, with wineries such as Kir-Yianni leading the way. Assyrtiko’s profile is often compared to the boldness of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, though it brings its own distinct blend of mineral, citrus and peach…

  • Why I Choose a Web Site Over Social Media

    Why I Choose a Web Site Over Social Media

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    I prefer to manage a website as my main platform while most wine enthusiasts are concentrating on boosting their social media presence. I do use social media to share headlines, draw attention and message, but the bulk of my content stays firmly on my site. While gaining followers on social platforms is useful and even…

  • M&S Notte Stellata Rossa Primitivo di Manduria

    M&S Notte Stellata Rossa Primitivo di Manduria

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    M&S Notte Stellata Rossa Primitivo di Manduria is made from grapes grown in the San Marzano region of Puglia in Italy, with the new 2022 vintage offering a touch more strength at 14.5% ABV. This wine, which previously won a Silver at the International Wine Challenge. It spends six months ageing in a mix of…

  • Bel Air Parcellaire Merlot

    Bel Air Parcellaire Merlot

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    I couldn’t resist trying this new Bordeaux from the Coop. Made from 100% Merlot, the Bel Air Parcellaire Merlot 2023, from Maison Sichel, is made from their select vineyard plots renowned for producing high-quality wines with a distinctive terroir expression, particularly benefiting from clay soils typical of Bordeaux’s right bank. On the nose, it offers…

  • Davy’s Autumn Trade Tasting

    Davy’s Autumn Trade Tasting

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    In late October 2024, I went to Davy’s Autumn Trade Tasting in London. Davy’s, established in 1870, supplies a range of bars, hotels, restaurants and catering services, as well as private and corporate clients, including universities, colleges and companies. Their offerings are available through several wine shops in London, online and via mail order. The…

  • Ancient Wine Contained Cremated Bones

    Ancient Wine Contained Cremated Bones

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    A recent study reports the discovery and analysis of a reddish liquid found in a 2000-year-old Roman mausoleum in Carmona, southern Spain, which appears to be the oldest preserved liquid wine. Found in 2019, the urn (left) containing the liquid also held cremated human remains, which likely explains the preservation of the wine, traditionally used…

  • White Wines to Enjoy in Autumn

    White Wines to Enjoy in Autumn

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    David Williams of The Guardian has some recommendations for richer, fuller white wines as an alternative to the usual reds. Wildstone Reserva Roussanne 2024, Colchagua Valley, Chile – £8 at WaitroseAlso previously also tipped by me from the Waitrose tasting, this wine from Chile’s reliable Luis Felipe Edwards has a full-bodied, autumnal appeal, featuring mouth-filling…

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