Simon Judge

  • California Dreaming Wine Tasting

    California Dreaming Wine Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    I attended the “California Dreaming” consumer wine tasting event at Majestic in August 2024, hosted by the knowledgeable Andrew from Majestic Woking. Nine of us sampled a selection of wines that highlighted the diverse range of grape varieties available from California, going beyond the typical expectations. We started with a Champagne welcome drink, as Majestic…

  • Risks and Benefits of Drinking for Older Adults

    Risks and Benefits of Drinking for Older Adults

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    A new study looks into the belief that light to moderate drinking, particularly of wine, offers health benefits for older adults. The research, involving over 135,000 participants aged 60 and above from the UK, reveals that alcohol’s impact varies based on an individual’s existing health conditions and socioeconomic status. For those with pre-existing health issues…

  • Understanding Pinot Noir

    Understanding Pinot Noir

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    Pinot Noir is a captivating red wine that transcends its reputation as merely a lighter red option. The name ‘Pinot Noir’ derives from the French words for ‘pine’ and ‘black’, referring to the grape’s tightly clustered, pine cone-shaped bunches and dark skin. This noble grape variety thrives primarily in cooler climates, with its spiritual home…

  • Global Chenin Blanc Masters 2024

    Global Chenin Blanc Masters 2024

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    The Global Chenin Blanc Masters competition recently highlighted the remarkable versatility of Chenin Blanc, which produces some of the finest sweet and dry white wines, both with and without oak, as well as sparkling wines. The Loire Valley is its historic home, producing notable sparkling and sweet wines, such as Crémant de Loire, sparkling Vouvray,…

  • Australian Wine Industry Faces New Challenges

    Australian Wine Industry Faces New Challenges

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    The Financial Times newspaper is reporting (might have gone behind paywall by the time you read this) how, in the 1980s, the Australian wine industry faced severe challenges, with some family businesses, like the Calabria family, resorting to washing bottles for others to stay afloat. Today, the industry faces even greater difficulties, particularly as global…

  • Decanter Weekday Wines

    Decanter Weekday Wines

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    Simon Judge

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    Decanter Magazine regularly features a “Weekday Wines” section showcasing top wines under £20, along with a “Weekend Wines” section highlighting selections priced between £20 and £50. These sections focus on the more affordable end of the wine spectrum, making quality wines accessible to a broader audience. I’m pleased to say that some of the wines…

  • BBQ Wine Tasting

    BBQ Wine Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    During July and August, when press tastings are few and far between, I decided to host a few wine tastings at home. For this tasting, I invited PR agencies, importers and retailers to submit wines that would be suitable for a BBQ setting. Ten family members and friends, all sharing my enthusiasm for wine, participated…

  • Majestic Italian Wine Tasting

    Majestic Italian Wine Tasting

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    In August 2024, I went to an Italian wine tasting at my local Majestic in Woking, just a few doors down from the infamous Woking Pizza Express. It was an enjoyable evening, sampling a variety of Italian wines, including Franciacorta, Soave, Gavi, Greco Di Tufo, a Rosso Veronese, Chianti and a Brunello. Among these, a…

  • Tesco Expands Wine Selection with 16 New Premium Additions

    Tesco Expands Wine Selection with 16 New Premium Additions

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    Drinks Retailing is reporting Tesco has introduced 16 new wines to its range, sourced from Bibendum, focusing on English wines, Prosecco and premium South American wines. Some of these wines are new to the UK market, with some brands making their first appearance in Tesco. The new listings include: Tesco Finest English White (Balfour)Tesco Finest…

  • ASDA Extra Special Pinotage

    ASDA Extra Special Pinotage

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    Simon Judge

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    Having recently enjoyed this wine at an Asda press tasting, I decided to purchase a bottle to experience it in a different setting. This wine comes from South Africa. Pinotage originated in 1925 as a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut and was developed by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch…

  • Wine With Nuts

    Wine With Nuts

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    Simon Judge

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    Nuts can be paired effectively with both red and white wines but the specific pairing often depends on the type of nut and its preparation. For red wines, walnuts work well with bold varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, as their rich flavour complements the intensity of these wines. Pecans are a great match for…

  • New Rioja Viñedos Singulares Parcels

    New Rioja Viñedos Singulares Parcels

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    Rioja Viñedos Singulares is a special designation within the Rioja wine region, introduced in 2017 to recognise and highlight wines from unique, single vineyards. This classification emphasises the distinctiveness of specific vineyard sites and aims to showcase the terroir and unique characteristics of these plots. A Viñedos Singulares vineyard must be at least 35 years…

  • Jas des Vignes Rosé Méditerranée

    Jas des Vignes Rosé Méditerranée

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    This Provence-style rosé from Ravoire & Fils, a family-owned producer in the IGP Méditerranée region, is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. The main label sits proudly at the top of the bottle, drawing attention to its shapely bottle, a hallmark of Provence-style rosé bottles. The grapes are picked at night to preserve their…

  • Villa Maria at Asda

    Villa Maria at Asda

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    Following on from my previous two posts on wine offers, I have come across a great reduction on Villa Maria Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc that I found to be ‘the best of them all’ at the Hatch Mansfield (importer) tasting and is one of my picks. It’s currently on offer, only at Asda, for £13,…

  • Sevenly Sauvignon Blanc and Sevenly Rose

    Sevenly Sauvignon Blanc and Sevenly Rose

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    I haven’t tried these but thought I’d post quickly as it’s a huge offer that’s sure not to last. Invivo X Sevenly Sauvignon Blanc and Invivo X Sevenly Rose are only £2.63, reduced from £8 at Sainsbury’s. Invivo Sevenly is low alcohol 7%. Looking at other offers, I also found Marlborough Heartland Sauvignon Blanc at…

  • 25% Off Wine at Tesco

    25% Off Wine at Tesco

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    Simon Judge

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    Tesco has save 25% off wine with Clubcard when you buy 3+ bottles, from 30 July 2024 until 5 August 2024. Take care when purchasing because, unlike the usual 6+ promotion, it doesn’t include all bottles over £5.50 (£7 in Wales). However, I have examined the Tesco web site and some bottles are on double…

  • Los Tontos Sabios

    Los Tontos Sabios

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    Simon Judge

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    Los Tontos Sabios is a quirky and intriguing red ‘field blend’ crafted from organic grapes. This wine, from the La Mancha region of Spain, is a harmonious mix of native Spanish grape varieties, all grown in the same field and fermented together. The specific grapes are not disclosed, which adds an element of mystery to…

  • Wine and Health

    Wine and Health

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    Simon Judge

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    Recent declines in wine consumption have been linked to growing public health concerns, particularly those raised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) who have increasingly voiced concerns about alcohol consumption, culminating in a statement declaring that there is “no safe level” of alcohol consumption. This message reflects the influence of public health campaigns and some…

  • Mucho Mas Sparkling

    Mucho Mas Sparkling

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    My wife picked up Mucho Mas Sparkling when it was on offer, demonstrating her eye for the unusual and unique. This intriguing sparkling wine, usually found on the Prosecco shelf, stands out by being Spanish rather than Italian and isn’t Cava. The Mucho Mas brand, created around 2017 by Félix Solís, one of the world’s…

  • Villa Vito Pinot Grigio

    Villa Vito Pinot Grigio

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    Simon Judge

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    I don’t usually buy Pinot Grigio, as most of it is mass-produced, of average quality and has a mediocre taste. However, according to Bibendum, it’s the most popular wine on trade, in hospitality venues. So, when I was recently tasked with selecting some wines for a gathering, I felt compelled to include a Pinot Grigio…

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