Simon Judge
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Blueprint Pinot Noir
Blueprint Pinot Noir from Waitrose is part of a range created to highlight excellent-value, classic wines from around the world. Each bottle is chosen not just for quality, but for how faithfully it represents its style and place of origin. The label design reflects the winemaker’s region, adding a touch of visual charm to the experience. This particular Pinot Noir stands out by delivering impressive quality despite not coming from one of the traditionally celebrated regions for the grape. Produced in Romania by Cramele Recaș, it offers a fresh take on the variety and demonstrates that Pinot doesn’t have to…
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25% Off Wine at Waitrose
Waitrose has 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced between £6 and £100 from 16 April to 22 April 2025 inclusive. See the recent press tasting for tips on what to buy.
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25% Off Wine at Morrisons
Morrisons has 25% discount on 6 or more bottles of wine, More card price, £6 or more until 21 April 2025.
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Les Dauphins Cotes du Rhone
Les Dauphins wines take their cue from the vibrant spirit of 1920s Paris, a time when jazz, art, fine food and wine flourished and when the Rhône Valley saw the formation of its first co-operatives. This cultural backdrop shapes the character of these wines, which are made by the Union des Vignerons des Côtes du Rhône, a co-operative with over six decades of heritage. Grapes are carefully selected by winemakers Thierry Walet and Camille Potau from plots across the Southern Rhône Valley, farmed by long-standing grower-partners, a network of 2000 families whose dedication ensures the continued quality and identity of…
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Provence Rosé Tasting
In April 2025, I joined a virtual masterclass hosted by Ray O’Connor MW, ambassador for Vins de Provence. Aimed at trade and press, the session tackled the question: “Provence rosé: are they all the same?” and explored the breadth and diversity the region has to offer. Ray took us through the regions and sub-regions of Provence, looking into grape varieties, terrain, climate, relevant statistics and the pivotal role of the Centre du Rosé research centre. The educational element has its own article on Understanding Provence Rosé, while this write-up focuses solely on the tasting element of the session. We sampled…
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Understanding Provence Rosé
History Provence, located in the sun-drenched south of France, is globally renowned for producing some of the finest rosé wines. Its legacy in winemaking stretches back to 600 BC with the founding of Marseille and the planting of the region’s first vineyard. Over the centuries, wine production in Provence evolved under the influence of monasteries from the 5th to 12th centuries and was later shaped by the rise of major Provençal winegrowing families in the early 20th century. A significant shift occurred in the 1970s, when quality became a priority in rosé production, ushering in a new era that redefined…
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25% Off Wine at Asda
Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, 6 bottles or more, from 11 April 2025 until 5 May 2025. See the Autumn/Winter Press tasting for tips on what to buy.
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w/o Organic Grillo Spumante
From Sicily comes a new project from winemaker Dino Taschetta: w/o – meaning a wine made without compromise. This sparkling wine is made from the indigenous Grillo grape believed to be a cross between Cataratto and Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria). Grillo is a versatile grape capable of producing both still and sparkling wines. In this case, it’s been used to create a sparkling wine made using the Charmat method, the same process used for Prosecco. The 2023 vintage sits at a relatively light 11% ABV and is bottled in a UK first, 100% recycled ‘wild’ glass, giving it a sustainable…
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25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s
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 9 April 2025 to 19 April 2025. See the last Sainsbury’s press tasting for tips on what to buy.
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Morrisons Spring Summer Press Tasting 2025
In April 2025, I was invited to the Morrisons Spring Summer Press Tasting in London, where around 100 wines were on show. A pianist added a touch of class to the event, playing gentle background music as we tasted our way through the selection. Morrisons is showing a focus on sourcing quality wines from less obvious regions, aiming to offer strong value without sacrificing quality. A good example of this is the La Bellamente Pinot Grigio Blush NV from Moldova, mentioned further below, offering an acceptable rosé for only £6 and only £4.50 during 25% off promotion. In light of…
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Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, Half Bottle
Nyetimber’s Classic Cuvée is their flagship sparkling wine, made in West Sussex using the same traditional method employed in Champagne. Nyetimber has gained serious recognition over the years, most notably through the achievements of their head winemaker, Cherie Spriggs. In 2018, she became the first person outside of Champagne, and the first woman, to be named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year, a testament to the exceptional quality found in each bottle. Made from the classic grape trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it’s a wine that consistently impresses. This particular format is a half bottle, ideal for those…
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25% Off Wine at Tesco
Tesco has save 25% off wine with Clubcard when you buy 6+ bottles that are £6 and over (£7 in Wales), from 8 April 2025 until 21 April 2025. See the recent Tesco tasting and Picks for tips on what to buy.
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The Cynic’s Guide to Wine
Sunny Hodge, a wine expert with an education in mechanical engineering, has carved out an unconventional path in the world of wine. Before entering hospitality, he studied engineering and later became a founding team member at Margot, the London restaurant from Paulo de Tarso and Nicholas Jaouën. He then went on to open two independent wine bars in south London, Diogenes the Dog and Aspen & Meursault, both of which have gained acclaim for their fresh approach to wine. Hodge’s efforts were recognised when he was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year at the Southwark Business Awards. Now also a wine…
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Independent Wine Retailer Trends
There’s an interesting article at Drinks Retailing News on independent wine retailer trends. Wine remains a key focus for independent UK drinks retailers, with France and Italy once again ranked as the most popular countries of origin, followed by Spain. Areas of growing interest have shifted, with Greece topping the list, closely followed by Portugal, England and parts of Eastern Europe, including Georgia and Romania. Georgia, in particular, is attracting attention for its traditional qvevri-aged wines. Sauvignon Blanc continued to dominate as the most popular grape variety, followed by Chardonnay, with Pinot Noir and Malbec also frequently mentioned. Looking ahead,…
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Villarei Albariño
This 100% Albariño comes from Val do Salnés, the oldest subregion of Rías Baixas in Galicia, Spain. The coolest and wettest area in the region, Val do Salnés offers ideal conditions for slow grape maturation, helping to preserve the natural aromas and vivid flavours that define this wine. Villarei Albariño is aged for six months on the lees, adding extra texture and depth. Presented with stylish, transparent bottle labels this wine needs to warm up considerably from refrigeration temperature, for about 40 minutes, to get the most from it. Once warmer, the wine opens with an inviting apricot aroma lifted…
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On Bulk Shipping and Bottling
Andy Neather has written a thought-provoking article about Bulking Up, the role of bulk wine in the UK wine industry. At Encirc’s bottling plant in Cheshire, huge volumes of wine are imported in bulk from countries like Australia, Chile and the US and bottled locally. This method now accounts for at least 40% of wine sold in the UK, including many of the top brands. Despite its low profile, bulk wine is central to understanding major industry challenges, from sustainability to shifting consumer preferences and international tariffs. Bulk wine has seen a resurgence, overturning the belief that UK bottling was…
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Lidl Spring Wine Tours
In early April 2025, I was invited to Lidl’s press wine tasting event in London, where they showcased a selection of wines set to be released as part of their upcoming Wine Tour series for May, June and a few from July. In addition to these limited-time wines, several offerings from Lidl’s core range were also available for tasting. Lidl’s Wine Tours typically run for around two months, giving customers a limited window to purchase these wines while stocks last. Many of the most popular selections tend to sell out more quickly, which is part of the strategy to keep…
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Understanding Champagne
Champagne, the world’s most celebrated sparkling wine, has captivated connoisseurs for centuries with its effervescence, complexity and prestige. This sparkling wine has evolved from humble beginnings to become a global symbol of celebration and luxury, with a rich history, distinctive production methods and diverse styles that continue to evolve to meet contemporary challenges and tastes. The Historical Evolution of Champagne The story of Champagne begins in the 5th century, possibly earlier, when Romans established vineyards in northeastern France. Initially, the wines produced in this region were still wines, pale, pinkish liquids made primarily from Pinot Noir grapes, bearing little resemblance…
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The Definitive Champagne Tasting
On the first day of April 2025, I attended The Definitive Champagne Tasting, a two-floor event held at the Tate Modern in London. Organised by the UK’s Champagne Shippers’ Association, it marked the first generic Champagne trade tasting in London since 2018. With 51 producers represented, including Champagne houses, cooperatives, and growers, the event featured an impressive selection of 220 wines. I started the event at the self pour sections, dedicated to non-vintage cuvées from the exhibiting producers. Most of the producers showcased a Non-Vintage cuvée, offering an opportunity to compare and contrast the house styles. When I started the…
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Château des Jaume ‘Infusion’
Château des Jaume Côtes du Roussillon Villages ‘Infusion’ is a wine from one of the renowned estates of the Roussillon region in France. Located near the village of Tautavel, the vineyard sits between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains, producing wines that reflect this unique terroir. This 2022 vintage comes in at 14% ABV and showcases a natural approach to winemaking, with whole bunch vinification, minimal intervention and no added sulphites. Made from a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, this wine pours a light red raspberry colour and opens beautifully aromatic with notes of herby, cherry fruit. There’s…
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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