Simon Judge

  • 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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    Simon Judge

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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…

  • Hacienda Uvanis, Garnacha Old Vines

    Hacienda Uvanis, Garnacha Old Vines

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    I often buy wines that have caught my eye during press tastings and I first spotted this one at a Lidl press tasting early in 2024. It has been sitting around for a while, being overlooked as newer wines arrived. However, I decided to open it on a whim and was amazed by how good…

  • WineGB Launches First Sustainability Impact Report

    WineGB Launches First Sustainability Impact Report

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    WineGB has launched its first Sustainability Impact Report (pdf) to coincide with the International Day of Climate Action, marking significant progress in its Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) initiative. In just four years, SWGB now covers 43% of UK vines, with 79 members, 31 completing their first audit, and 13 receiving gold certification for…

  • Taittinger Prestige Rosé

    Taittinger Prestige Rosé

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    This Champagne, primarily from the 2019 vintage, is a blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 25% Meunier, with an ABV of 12.5%. This wine has gained high praise, winning accolades from critics such as James Suckling, Wine Spectator, Decanter and Robert Parker. It has also earned a Gold Medal at the Concours des…

  • Optimising Flinty Aromas in Wine

    Optimising Flinty Aromas in Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    New research focuses on a study exploring how certain winemaking strategies, particularly the use of different yeast strains and nitrogen supplementation, can affect the formation of phenylmethanethiol (PMT), a sulphur compound associated with ‘flinty’ or ‘struck match’ aromas in wines. These aromas are particularly valued in certain white wines, like Chardonnay. The study found that…

  • Morrisons Autumn/Winter Press Tasting

    Morrisons Autumn/Winter Press Tasting

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    I went to the Morrisons Autumn/Winter Press Tasting in London in October 2024, an event that showcased a great selection of 127 wines, curated with the festive season in mind. A pianist provided a touch of elegance, enhancing the ambiance as we explored the wines on offer. There has been a refresh of Morrisons’ The…

  • 25% Off Wine at Waitrose

    25% Off Wine at Waitrose

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    Waitrose has 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced between £6 and £100 from 23 October to 29 October 2024 inclusive. See the recent press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • Tbilvino Saperavi

    Tbilvino Saperavi

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    Tbilvino, a very ambitious Georgian winery, has set its sights on becoming the country’s leading producer. This wine, Tbilvino Saperavi 2023 13.5%, is made from the Saperavi grape what’s known as a teinturier grape, meaning it has both dark skin and red flesh. From the moment the wine is poured, it commands attention, flowing from…

  • Reducing the Cost and Time of Wine Ageing?

    Reducing the Cost and Time of Wine Ageing?

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    There’s new research that examines the influence of ultrasound treatment on the chemical and sensory properties of a five-year-old bottled red wine over a period of twelve months. The study used both low-energy (5 minutes) and high-energy (30 minutes) ultrasound treatments to assess their effects. Sensory analysis revealed that, after three and six months of…

  • C.V.N.E Cune Rioja Reserva

    C.V.N.E Cune Rioja Reserva

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    C.V.N.E Cune Rioja Reserva 2019 is a blend of Tempranillo (85%), Garnacha and Mazuelo grapes and has an ABV of 14%. The grapes for Cune Reserva are sourced from the estate’s own vineyards, known as Caballeros, Santo Tomás and Sarnamoros in the prestigious Rioja Alta region. Grapes are aged in a combination of French and…

  • European Wine Industry Unites to Combat Anti-Alcohol Movement

    European Wine Industry Unites to Combat Anti-Alcohol Movement

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    The VITÆVINO Declaration is a newly launched initiative by major European wine organisations to combat the growing anti-alcohol movement, which has negatively impacted wine sales and wine culture. The declaration, signed on 1 October 2023, aims to defend European wine culture by highlighting four key points: preserving wine heritage, its economic role in rural areas,…

  • Chosen by Majestic ‘Greek White’

    Chosen by Majestic ‘Greek White’

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    I stumbled upon this great wine by chance during an evening out at a local amateur dramatics production, set in Greece, where we were also served Greek food. This 2023 vintage is a custom blend made for Majestic by the Kintonis winery in the Peloponnese, predominantly featuring Malagousia, along with Roditis and Assyrtiko, resulting in…

  • 25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

    25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

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    Sainsbury’s has 25% off wine, sparkling and Champagne, 6 bottles or more, £6 or more, from 18 October 2024 to 2 November 2024. See the Sainsbury’s tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • Mayu Carménère Appassimento

    Mayu Carménère Appassimento

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    Simon Judge

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    After thoroughly enjoying the Mayu Pinot Noir at a recent press tasting, I was eager to try their Carménère. This 2020 vintage comes from the Elqui Valley, one of Chile’s most extreme wine regions, situated nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. With around 300 days of sunshine a year, this climate offers ideal conditions for…

  • 25% Off Wine at Asda

    25% Off Wine at Asda

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    Simon Judge

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    Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, 6 bottles or more, from 15 October 2024 until 1 November 2024. See the Autumn/Winter Press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • Monastrell Masterclass and Tasting

    Monastrell Masterclass and Tasting

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    In October 2024, I attended a Monastrell Masterclass led by Patrick Schmitt MW, followed by a walk-around tasting. The event was sponsored by Monastrell Spain, so all the wines were Spanish, though the masterclass also referenced other countries for context. Monastrell is known as Mourvèdre in France and has lots of different names in other…

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