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Simon Judge

  • Asda Spring Summer Wine Showcase

    Asda Spring Summer Wine Showcase

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    Early May marked the final supermarket tasting of the spring/summer tasting season, with Asda’s showcase in London closing things out. With 128 wines available to try, this event offered a few new additions and some much-loved favourites presented as newer vintages. As expected for the Spring/Summer, there was a strong emphasis on refreshing whites, rosés and lighter reds, along with a handful of more robust reds ideal for barbecue weather. Asda’s Wine Atlas range, relaunched last year, continues to evolve and impress. It now has a dedicated hotspot in stores (see photo, left, I previously took in-store) and is seeing…

  • Toro Loco Superior Rosé

    Toro Loco Superior Rosé

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    When you have seen Toro Loco at Aldi you would be forgiven for thinking it’s one of their brands invented just for the supermarket shelf, but it’s very much the real thing. It’s produced by NVC Bodegas in Utiel-Requena, a region just inland from Valencia in Spain. This wine is the result of a community effort involving more than 3,000 local families with most of the grapes being hand-picked. The name comes from old Spanish, ‘Toro’ referencing ‘bull head’ and ‘Loco’ meaning ‘crazy’. This particular bottle is made entirely from Bobal grapes, from the 2024 vintage, with an alcohol content…

  • Moillard Thomas Mâcon Rouge

    Moillard Thomas Mâcon Rouge

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    Moillard-Thomas is in Nuits-Saint-Georges, in the Côtes de Nuits and is one of the oldest wine merchants in the region. This Mâcon Rouge, 2024 vintage, 12.5%, from Burgundy, France, is made entirely from Gamay grapes. This light purplish wine starts with a fruity aroma, gently underpinned by a savoury note that hints at something earthy, perhaps a touch of mushroom. At very first sip, it leaves a dry impression, but this quickly gives way to juicy cherry flavours that bring vibrancy to the palate. A subtle thread of spice weaves through, along with a whisper of fennel, adding a layer…

  • Mount Rozier Reserve Merlot

    Mount Rozier Reserve Merlot

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    Mount Rozier Reserve Merlot comes from the foothills of the Hottentot Mountains in South Africa’s Western Cape, produced by the Mount Rozier winery. The estate traces its roots back to the early 1800s, when Annie Rozier, a flower merchant known for foraging wild blooms in the Schapenberg hills, established a reputation for creating natural remedies. Her connection to the land and the local community is still reflected in the estate’s values today. Mount Rozier remains deeply committed to environmental stewardship, setting aside 30 hectares of its grounds for the protection of native plants and wildlife. This respect for nature underpins…

  • The Rise of Own Label Wines

    The Rise of Own Label Wines

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    Attending lots of supermarket wine tastings, you begin to notice patterns. One of the most notable trends of late is the rise and still growing success of own label wines. These are wines sold under a retailer’s branding rather than that of the original producer. But what’s behind this surge? And what does it mean for producers, retailers and us as consumers? Retailers like Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morissons and Majestic are upfront about their own label offerings. These wines are proudly integrated into the supermarket’s branding, think Waitrose No. 1 or Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference, and often still reference the…

  • 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 £6 and over (£7 in Wales), from 28 April 2025 until 5 May 2025. See the recent Tesco tasting and Picks for tips on what to buy.

  • Majestic Spring Press Tasting

    Majestic Spring Press Tasting

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    At the start of May, I attended the Majestic Spring Press Tasting 2025, which this time took place at a different venue, the iconic Lord’s cricket ground in London. Spacious and distinct, the surroundings gave a certain charm to the event, helping the wines feel a little more special. The layout benefited from the space too, with all the wines arranged in a very long, uninterrupted line, it felt like a grander offering than the 97 wines available to taste. As always, Majestic’s tasting booklet was the most comprehensive and detailed, complete with colour coding that made navigating the range…

  • 25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

    25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

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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 30 April 2025 to 4 May 2025. See yesterday’s Sainsbury’s press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • Sainsbury’s Spring Summer Press Tasting

    Sainsbury’s Spring Summer Press Tasting

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    At the very end of a busy month of supermarket tastings, I went to Sainsbury’s Spring Summer Drinks Press Tasting in April 2025, held in London. Sainsbury’s has seen an 8% rise in ready-to-drink sales year on year. This includes cocktails, spritzes and wine in cans such as Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc and La Vielle Ferme Rosé. Online searches for canned wine have jumped by 51% and sales of rosé have risen nearly 50% over the past five years. Another rising category is chilled reds, with a 125% increase in year-on-year online searches. Altogether, 79 wines were available to try,…

  • Co-op Spring & Summer Tasting

    Co-op Spring & Summer Tasting

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    In late April 2025, I went to the Co-op press tasting in London. Co-op remains the most shopped-at retailer in the UK, with an average of 2.2 million shoppers visiting every day, resulting in around 800 million shopping visits per year. In 2024, they grew their market share in the convenience sector to 13.7%, supported by a network of around 2400 stores. Their own-brand wine continues to be particularly strong, accounting for 43% of their wine sales. This year’s tasting introduced Co-op’s first ever Orange wine, an interesting new step for the retailer. A total of 71 wines were shown…

  • London Wine Competition 2025 Winners

    London Wine Competition 2025 Winners

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    The 2025 International London Wine Competition, now in its eighth year, once again placed equal weight on quality, value for money and packaging, aiming to mirror the way consumers actually choose wine. More than seventy leading professionals, including Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and senior buyers, blind‑tasted every entry before reassessing price and presentation, so each medal reflects genuine market appeal as well as excellence in the glass. The top trophy, Wine of the Year, was awarded to the 2022 Isabel Estate Wild Barrique Chardonnay from New Zealand. Best Wine by Quality went to the 1987 Saamo from Georgia.Best Wine…

  • Calvet Sancerre

    Calvet Sancerre

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    This Calvet Sancerre 2024, 12.5%, is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire region of France. It is grown on a hillside overlooking the left bank of the Haute Loire. In the glass, it has a pale yellow colour with delicate green reflections. Even when served very cold, it releases a strong and enticing aroma of passion fruit, with an underlying floral character that immediately draws you in. On the tongue, it delivers classic gooseberry notes, complemented by the lushness of ripe honeydew melon, with a dry yet very rounded and expressive flavour profile. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving…

  • Parcel Series ‘No.77’ Chilean Red Blend

    Parcel Series ‘No.77’ Chilean Red Blend

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    Parcel Series wines come from top-class wineries that quietly sell a limited quantity to Majestic at a fraction of their usual price to clear some space in their cellars, making this a rare opportunity to buy. This particular wine comes from the Viña Vik vineyard, set in the foothills of the Andes mountains. The vineyard was founded in 2006 by the Norwegian Alexander Vik and his wife Carrie Vik. Their top wine, VIK, a more Bordeaux style wine, not this bottling, has been awarded a perfect 100 points by the renowned critic James Suckling and the estate is widely recognised…

  • Waitrose Spring Press Tasting 2025

    Waitrose Spring Press Tasting 2025

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    I was invited to the Waitrose & Partners Spring Wine Tasting in London in April 2025, where 159 products were showcased across all drinks categories. The selection reflected a clear focus on both innovation and quality, with several key trends standing out. For Waitrose, Crémant is currently the fastest-growing category, with sales up 19% compared to last year. There has also been a notable rise in interest in lesser-known regions through the Loved & Found range, which now includes six new varieties. Their own label wines are also seeing real momentum, particularly the No.1 range which has doubled in size…

  • M&S Spring Press Tasting

    M&S Spring Press Tasting

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    In April 2025 I went to the M&S press tasting in London, where the retailer showcased a raft of new wines and several old favourites. Innovation in English wine was front-and-centre. M&S has released its first own-label Charmat-method sparkling, meaning the second fermentation is carried out in tank rather than in the bottle. Alongside this comes the new, traditional method, Rockferne Brut, made exclusively for M&S by Roebuck Estates in Sussex and highlighted among my picks below. A clear trend was a surge in demand for smaller formats. M&S has introduced twelve new half-bottles and minis this month, creating one…

  • Mount Rozier Chenin Blanc Reserve

    Mount Rozier Chenin Blanc Reserve

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    Mount Rozier Chenin Blanc Reserve is a white wine from the foothills of the Hottentot Mountains, produced by the Mount Rozier winery in South Africa’s Western Cape wine region. The estate has a rich heritage, founded at the turn of the 19th century by Annie Rozier, a local flower merchant known for gathering wildflowers in the Schapenberg hills around her family’s homestead. She gained a reputation for making natural remedies and medicines, becoming a beloved figure in the local community. Today, the Mount Rozier Estate remains committed to preserving its natural surroundings, with 30 hectares of land designated for the…

  • Russians Lure European Diplomats with Wine Tasting Invite

    Russians Lure European Diplomats with Wine Tasting Invite

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    In April 2025, researchers revealed Russia’s APT29 (Cozy Bear) resumed phishing attacks on European diplomats, using a wine tasting invitation. The emails mimic European Ministry of Foreign Affairs correspondence and re-target diplomats who don’t respond. Links lead to a malicious file, wine.zip, dropped under specific conditions. Inside, a PowerPoint executable (wine.exe) exploits DLL side-loading to run an obfuscated loader called Grapeloader. The emails imitate a European Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are resent if ignored, with subject lines such as “Wine tasting event (update date)” and “For Ambassador’s Calendar”. Their embedded link sits on infrastructure that withholds the malicious file…

  • Apelación Cabernet Franc

    Apelación Cabernet Franc

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    Apelación Cabernet Franc by Zuccardi is an interesting expression of this variety, made by a winery more widely known for its Malbec. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, the grapes are carefully sourced from select vineyards in Paraje Altamira and across the wider Uco Valley in Mendoza, Argentina, a region renowned for its high-altitude viticulture. The wine is fermented using native yeasts in concrete vats, a traditional technique that allows for a pure expression of the fruit. It is then matured in 2,500-litre foudres, which offer subtle oak influence without overpowering the varietal character. The 2020 vintage comes in at 14%…

  • Learn About No Alcohol Wine

    Learn About No Alcohol Wine

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    New research on Dealcoholized wine: Techniques, sensory impacts, stability, and perspectives of a growing industry“ is a detailed review examining the production, sensory implications, stability concerns and future prospects of dealcoholised wine. Growing interest in dealcoholised wine is largely driven by health-conscious consumers, social trends encouraging reduced alcohol intake, and legal considerations such as road safety. Consumers increasingly seek alternatives that offer the benefits and enjoyment of traditional wine without the associated alcohol content. The global market for such products is expanding rapidly, estimated to exceed US$10 billion. The review outlines a range of post-fermentation techniques used to remove or…

  • Definition Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

    Definition Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

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    This 2018 vintage of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru comes from the right bank of the River Garonne, from the family-run Château du Roy. It is made from 35-year-old vines and sits at 13.5% ABV. While it’s Merlot-led, it also includes some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. I almost didn’t review this bottle. On opening, it was underwhelming, both in aroma and flavour. I didn’t bother decanting at the time, thinking it unnecessary given the seemingly low tannins and lack of sediment, but in hindsight that was a mistake. Even after a full day open, it still felt muted and a little…

Pick Lists


Majestic | The Wine Society | Tesco | Waitrose | Sainsbury’s | Morrisons | Co-op | Asda | Aldi | Lidl | £7 and Under | Over £20

Did You Know?

Nearly a third (32%) of UK consumers say they have already used AI for alcoholic drinks advice. More

Among socially active wine buyers, 37% have bought a wine recommended online. More

In 2026, 72% of consumers now think wine knowledge is essential to appreciation, up 20 percentage points on 2025. More

Rías Baixas wines reached more than 107 countries in 2025 and exports represented 31 per cent of the denomination’s total sales. More

Light Strike Can Cause Wine Degradation in Just One Day. More

People actively adjust their wine choices depending on who might see them. More

In the UK, 73% of Alcohol is Bought From Retail Rather Than Hospitality. More

UK wine production reached 124,377 hectolitres that year, meaning the UK accounted for roughly 0.05 per cent of world output. More

For Crémant, grapes must be harvested by hand and the wines must undergo at least nine months’ ageing before release. More

In 2024, the UK was the second-largest export market for Champagne globally, after the United States. More

Local UK bottling of wine represents about 40% of imported wine. More

Around 1% of people, typically severe asthmatics, have a sulphite sensitivity. More

A large 80% of Australian wine arrives in the UK in bulk. More

Only about 0.02% of Australia’s landmass is dedicated to vineyards. More

In 2024, New Zealand produced only 1% of the World’s wine. More

In 2024, the US imported 37% of World production of Pinot Grigio and the UK was is in second place at 27%. More

In 2024, the UK was South Africa’s largest export market, with 40% of total exports. More

In 2024, the United Kingdom imported 22.3 million bottles of Champagne, a decline of 12.7% compared to the previous year. More

Larger Champagne producers source grapes from as many as 80 different vineyards throughout Champagne. More

Champagne houses and growers collectively produce around 300 million bottles annually. More

In 2025, the Champagne region was home to about 2,124 Champagne houses and approximately 19,000 growers. More

Provence is one of the leaders in the conversion to organic viticulture, with 61% of vineyards certified. More

8% of the South Africa’s grape production is Fairtrade-certified. More

Up to 80% of wine aroma compounds come from grape skins. More

Glycerol is the third-largest component of most dry wines after water and alcohol which is why they so often feel ‘smooth’ or ‘silky’ in the mouth. More

Humans are more than 400 times more sensitive to bitter than sweet. More

Humans can detect the earthy molecule geosmin at about 100 parts per trillion and camels are so sensitive to it they can locate damp ground from roughly 50 miles away. More

During the phylloxera crisis of the nineteenth century, 90% of Europe’s vineyards were destroyed. More

In 2025, for La Vieille Ferme, also known as “The Chicken Wine”, sales surged by 49.4% to £110.8 million. More

In 2025, in the UK, Yellow Tail held the top position with sales, marking a 9.8% increase over the previous year. More

In 2024, the UK was the second-largest wine importer in volume and value. More

In 2024, the UK was the fifth-largest wine-consuming country globally. More

In 2025, global wine consumption continued its downward trend, estimated at 214.2 million hectolitres, the lowest since 1961. More

In 2025, online alcohol sales had a 20% increase in value over five years. More

In 2025, the number of UK vineyards rose to 1,104 and wineries to 238, with land under vine expanding to 4,841 hectares, a 510% increase since 2005. More

Moët Hennessy alone commands nearly 46.66% of the Champagne market, with the top three producers together holding about 61%, and the top five controlling over 72%. More

In 2024, the Champagne market was worth roughly €3.92 billion. More

In the marketing year 2023/24, white wine accounted for roughly 55% of Spain’s output, whereas red and rosé together made up about 45%. More

In the UK, 92% of wine is consumed within 48hrs of purchase. More

The majority of wines, 95%, use commercial rather than wild yeast. More

Between 0.5 and 10 litres of water, per litre of wine, are needed for cleaning during winemaking. More

Machine harvesting can achieve up to 100 tons of fruit per day vs 1 ton for a human. More

In Germany, 2025 was the smallest wine vintage since 2010. More

The majority of vineyards, 90% in 2019, are farmed with heavy chemical interventions. Only 6% are organic. More

90% of low and coastal areas in south Europe and California will no longer be able to produce good wine by the end of the century. More

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