Simon Judge

  • New WineGB Industry Report 2025

    New WineGB Industry Report 2025

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    The new WineGB Industry Report 2025 highlights continued resilience and growth in the English and Welsh wine sector, despite economic pressures and regulatory challenges. The number of vineyards has risen to 1,104 and wineries to 238, with land under vine expanding to 4,841 hectares, a 510% increase since 2005. Kent remains the leading county for…

  • Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Blanc

    Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Blanc

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    This sparkling wine from Bordeaux is a blend of 70% Sémillon and 30% Cabernet Franc, made using the traditional method with the second fermentation in the bottle that lasts for 11 months. This the 2022 vintage and sits at 12% ABV. The bubbles are small and stayed for a very long time, giving it a…

  • Whispering Angel Rosé Alternatives

    Whispering Angel Rosé Alternatives

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    Whispering Angel, the popular and premium rosé from Provence, has earned cult status thanks in part to celebrity endorsements, notably from Adele, and its subtle, dry flavour. It’s made from a blend of cinsault, grenache and vermentino grapes, offering pale colour and delicate notes of orange, red berries, herbs and spice. However, at up to…

  • Expressions Fetească Regală

    Expressions Fetească Regală

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    This is a Romanian white wine produced by Cramele Recaș in Transylvania, a region with a winemaking history that stretches back centuries. The vineyards in this area are thought to be among the oldest in the world, with Roman origins and documented references to the Recaș vineyard land dating as far back as 1447. For…

  • How Science is Uncorking the Secrets of Early Winemaking

    How Science is Uncorking the Secrets of Early Winemaking

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    Simon Judge

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    A new paper, Advancement and Innovation in Ancient Wine Research by Emlyn Dodd and Dimitri Van Limbergen offers a comprehensive look at how modern archaeological and scientific techniques are transforming our understanding of ancient wine. For wine enthusiasts today, several aspects of the research are particularly compelling, as they provide not only historical context but…

  • Understanding Micro-oxygenation (MOX)

    Understanding Micro-oxygenation (MOX)

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    Simon Judge

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    If you are keen to better understand how winemaking influences what ultimately ends up in your glass, you can gain some insights from exploring the topic of micro-oxygenation, or MOX, a carefully controlled technique used in red winemaking to manage oxygen exposure with precision. MOX is not about simply letting air into the wine but…

  • 25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

    25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

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    Simon Judge

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    Sainsbury’s has 25% off wine for Nectar loyalty card holders, sparkling and Champagne, 6 bottles or more, £6 or more (£7 in Wales), from 23 July 2025 to 27 July 2025. See the recent Sainsbury’s press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • 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 6+ bottles that are £6 and over (£7 in Wales), from 22 July 2025 until 28 July 2025. See the recent Tesco tasting and Picks for tips on what to buy.

  • Waitrose No.1 Barossa Shiraz

    Waitrose No.1 Barossa Shiraz

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    This wine is part of Waitrose’s premium No.1 range, aimed at those seeking standout quality. Having been impressed by the No.1 La Val Albariño and Margaux, I had high hopes for this Shiraz, which boasts a 2025 IWC Silver medal and a 93-point rating. It’s produced by the seventh-generation Lindner family and aged in a…

  • Sky Sommelier Recommended Wines

    Sky Sommelier Recommended Wines

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    Sky Money asked three of the UK’s top sommeliers to find the best summer wines under £10 from major supermarkets. Frederic Brugues (Sketch London), Mateusz Kowalczyk (Moet Hennessy) and Polly Gibson (UK Sommelier Academy) each sampled wines across red, white, rosé and sparkling categories. With many of them working with high-end wines in their day…

  • 20% Off Wine at Morrisons

    20% Off Wine at Morrisons

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    Simon Judge

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    Morrisons has 25% discount on 6 or more bottles of wine, More card price, £6 or more, for just 2 days, until 20 July 2025. See the recent press tasting for my picks.

  • Co-op Irresistible Cabernet Sauvignon

    Co-op Irresistible Cabernet Sauvignon

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    I’m reviewing the 2023 vintage of Co-op Irresistible Cabernet Sauvignon as part of my awards25 series. This particular vintage won a silver medal at the 2024 International Wine Challenge (IWC), so I was naturally keen to try it. It’s produced by Viña Indómita in Chile’s Maipo Valley, with winemaking led by Diego Covarrubias. This is…

  • Esporão Bico Amarelo

    Esporão Bico Amarelo

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    This, 2024 vintage, wine has swiftly risen to prominence, securing a remarkable 96 points and claiming both the IWC Vinho Verde Trophy and the Portuguese White Trophy at the International Wine Challenge 2025. Its lineage traces back to Quinta do Ameal, an estate established in the early 1700s, which Esporão rejuvenated a few years ago,…

  • Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Rosé Réserve

    Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Rosé Réserve

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    This 2024 vintage draws inspiration from the lively elegance of 1920s Paris, a time when food, wine, music and art flourished. It also marks a period of transformation in the Rhône Valley, when the first co-operatives, like Les Dauphins, were formed. This rosé is a blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 5% Cinsault, with…

  • ¡Hola! Mediterraneo Orange Spritz

    ¡Hola! Mediterraneo Orange Spritz

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    As I write this, the UK is in the grip of a heatwave and I’ve been on the lookout for something light, refreshing and a little bit different to help cope with the warmth. This Spanish spritz fits the bill perfectly. Coming in at 8.5% ABV, this spritz comes from Catalunya, in the heart of…

  • Cuvée de Brieu Syrah

    Cuvée de Brieu Syrah

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    The Lidl July Wine Tour is now underway. I wasn’t able to attend the press tasting for this release as I happened to be on holiday. Fortunately, Lidl kindly sent over a few bottles from the range for me to try. Lidl’s Wine Tours tend to run for roughly two months, offering a limited window…

  • Financial Struggles Mount for English Wineries Amid Market Pressures

    Financial Struggles Mount for English Wineries Amid Market Pressures

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    DrinkRetailing is reporting that a growing number of English wine producers are facing financial strain and seeking to sell, according to Chris Spofforth of Savills, a leading estate agency specialising in vineyards across Kent, Sussex and Surrey. He noted that while more opportunities now exist for buyers, mature wine businesses are proving harder to sell…

  • Ormarine ‘Cuvée Estela Élevée sur Lies Fines’ Picpoul de Pinet

    Ormarine ‘Cuvée Estela Élevée sur Lies Fines’ Picpoul de Pinet

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    This 2023 vintage Picpoul is a striking example of the quality now coming out of this Languedoc appellation. Ormarine, based in the heart of Pinet since 1922, is responsible for over 40% of the region’s total production and their expertise shows in this wine. The term ‘Élevée sur Lies Fines’ refers to ageing on fine…

  • Pinot Noir Retrospection

    Pinot Noir Retrospection

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    Simon Judge

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    By accident rather than design, I found myself tasting and reviewing several Pinot Noirs over a short period. It started innocently enough, with a few bottles obtained after they had caught my attention at spring press tastings. Then I went looking for wines that had won awards in 2025 and it turned out many of…

  • Edna Valley Pinot Noir

    Edna Valley Pinot Noir

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    Edna Valley Pinot Noir 2022 comes from California’s Central Coast, where the cooling influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean allows for a long, gentle ripening season. This slower process brings depth and elegance to the wine. At 14% ABV, it has a touch more weight than many other Pinots. This is a medium-bodied red with…

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