Simon Judge

  • Italian Wine Tasting

    Italian Wine Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In July and August 2024, when press tastings were sparse, I decided to host a few wine tastings at home. For this third tasting of the Summer, I invited PR agencies, importers and retailers to submit Italian wines. I also included a few wines recommended by participants from previous tastings, as well as a blind…

  • Whites Mellowed by Age

    Whites Mellowed by Age

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    There’s new research on how bottle aging affects the sensory characteristics and quality perception of various dry white wines, specifically those made from Alvarinho, Arinto, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Bianco grape varieties. A panel of experienced tasters and students assessed the wines using dark glasses to prevent colour bias, focusing on various sensory attributes such…

  • Caliterra Tributo ‘Single Vineyard’ Carmenère

    Caliterra Tributo ‘Single Vineyard’ Carmenère

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    Caliterra Tributo ‘Single Vineyard’ Carmenère 2020 is a wine that caught my attention during a Hatch Mansfield tasting, and it has been a pleasure to explore it further following subsequent purchase. Produced by Caliterra Winery, a brand owned by the Mondavi/Errazuriz partnership, this wine is a fusion of modern winemaking techniques with Chile’s rich heritage….

  • Pairings for Beef

    Pairings for Beef

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    Jancis Robinson writes in the Financial Times Newspaper (might have moved behind paywall by the time you read this) on finding the perfect wine pairings for beef, exploring a diverse array of wines from around the globe. Wines include: Tasting notes can also be found on the Purple Pages of JancisRobinson.com.

  • By-product of Winemaking Shows Promise in Treating Diabetic Eye Disease

    By-product of Winemaking Shows Promise in Treating Diabetic Eye Disease

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    There’s new research that highlights the potential of using grape pomace, a byproduct of winemaking, as a source of beneficial compounds for eye health. The study examined the effectiveness of a nutraceutical formulation called Maltodextrinated Grape Pomace Extract (MaGPE) in treating diabetic retinopathy, a common complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness. The study…

  • Brit-Nat: A New Wave for the UK Wine Industry?

    Brit-Nat: A New Wave for the UK Wine Industry?

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    The Buyer Magazine has an article on how Brit-Nat, a category of British pét-nat, might disrupt the UK wine industry. Pét-nat is an emerging style in English and Welsh winemaking that contrasts sharply with traditional English sparkling wine. Whereas traditional English sparkling represents the established norms, Brit-Nat embodies a countercultural ethos with its non-conformist, artisanal…

  • Kingscote Sparkling

    Kingscote Sparkling

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    Unusually, this review of English Kingscote Sparkling begins with its price. Originally sold at £18 in Tesco, it recently became discounted to £12 and then available for a mere £9 during a special 25% off offer. But how does an Sparkling English wine, typically retailing at £20 or much more, end up at such a…

  • Diablo Deep Carmenere

    Diablo Deep Carmenere

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    Diablo Deep Carmenere is a new wine from Chile’s Rapel Valley and as a big fan of Carmenere, I was tempted enough to give it a try, especially since their Diablo Black Cabernet Sauvignon is among my picks. However, I’ve always found Diablo Red too sweet, so I approached this one with a sense of…

  • Majestic Sees 94% Surge in Organic Wine Sales, Exceeding Growth Expectations

    Majestic Sees 94% Surge in Organic Wine Sales, Exceeding Growth Expectations

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    DrinksRetailing is reporting Majestic has had a significant 94% increase in organic wine sales over the past year, nearly doubling from the previous year. This growth, spanning both retail and on-trade supply sectors, surpasses the company’s initial forecast that predicted a doubling of organic sales within three years. Majestic attributes this success to the improved…

  • Non-Provence Rosé

    Non-Provence Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    The Guardian Newspaper has an article by Hannah Crosbie that explores the dominance of Provence in the rosé wine market, noting that many people mistakenly believe rosé is only made there. However, rosé is produced worldwide, offering unique qualities that shouldn’t be overlooked. Hannah encourages readers to explore rosés from different regions, which can offer…

  • Wine Atlas Jaen Dão

    Wine Atlas Jaen Dão

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    The Wine Atlas Jaen Dão 2021 from Asda’s new Wine Atlas range is a great find for those seeking less familiar wines that deliver both quality and affordability. Mencía, known as Jaen in Portugal, is an indigenous grape variety originating from the western regions of the Iberian Peninsula. This medium-bodied red, with a 13% ABV,…

  • Remembering Stephen: A Shared Passion for Wine

    Remembering Stephen: A Shared Passion for Wine

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    Devon Life is reporting that Stephen Barrett, the UK wine critic and restaurateur, has passed away at the age of 77. I had the pleasure of meeting Stephen at many press wine tastings. He had a remarkable way with words that truly set him apart. I mentioned him in the Bordeaux Experience tasting where he…

  • 25% Off at Waitrose

    25% Off at Waitrose

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    A less frequent 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced £6 or over from 20 August to 27 August 2024 inclusive. See the Waitrose press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • Kylie Minogue Prosecco

    Kylie Minogue Prosecco

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    When my wife picked up this Kylie Minogue Prosecco, I had my doubts. Too much Prosecco DOC (not DOCG) nowadays is mass-produced, resulting in a loss of the distinctive taste it once had. I assumed this newly launched, non-Rosé Prosecco from Kylie Minogue would be just a bottle relying on celebrity branding to disguise a…

  • UK EPR Will Cause Wine Price Increases

    UK EPR Will Cause Wine Price Increases

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    Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging is a new UK legislation aimed at making producers fully responsible for managing packaging waste costs. The EPR fee structure includes Environmental Regulator Fees, covering Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) and Environment Agency fees, and Scheme Administrator Fees, which cover recycling costs for household and public bin packaging waste. The…

  • 25% Off at Morrisons

    25% Off at Morrisons

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    Morrisons 25% discount on 6 or more bottles of wine, £5.50 or more, from 19 August until 26 August 2024.

  • 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 20 August 2024 until 26 August 2024. See the Tesco tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • 25% Off Wine at Asda

    25% Off Wine at Asda

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    Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, 6 bottles or more, from 19 August 2024 until 26 August 2024. See the Spring Summer Press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • Two Pinot Noir

    Two Pinot Noir

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    On the eve of Pinot Noir Day, we had two bottles of Pinot Noir waiting to be tasted, perfect timing for a mini tasting session. Three of us gathered, each with expectations of a light wine experience, especially given the wine variety. We decided to put them to the test not just by themselves but…

  • 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 19 August 2024 to 25 August 2024. See the Sainsbury’s tasting for tips on what to buy.

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