Simon Judge

  • Real Wine Fair

    Real Wine Fair

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    Simon Judge

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    On April 29, 2024, I had the pleasure of attending the trade/press day for the Real Wine Fair in London, an event that brought together 180 organic, biodynamic, and low-intervention producers. With a staggering array of 900+ wines, this fair was a vibrant showcase of some of the world’s most talented artisan vignerons. Although it…

  • Electronic Tongue vs Humans

    Electronic Tongue vs Humans

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    Simon Judge

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    A new study evaluates the effectiveness of an electronic tongue (e-tongue) compared to human sensory panels in detecting faults in Riesling wine over a 42-day storage period. Riesling wines either unmodified (control) or inoculated with specific microorganisms known for spoiling wine were assessed every seven days using both the e-tongue and a sensory panel. The…

  • Understanding Bordeaux Wines

    Understanding Bordeaux Wines

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    Simon Judge

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    Located in the southwest of France, Bordeaux is renowned for its vast vineyards and historically significant châteaux. As the largest French region for quality wine production, Bordeaux’s influence stretches across centuries, shaping the taste and expectations of wine enthusiasts around the world. The Bordeaux wine industry is comprised of approximately 5,000 winemakers and 29 cooperative…

  • 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, 6 bottles or more, £6 or more (£7 in Wales), from 29 April until 5 May 2024.

  • Research Into What Causes Minerality

    Research Into What Causes Minerality

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    Simon Judge

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    There’s new research by University of Reading’s School of Agriculture on Minerality in Wine: Textual Analysis of Chablis Premier Cru Tasting Notes. The concept of minerality in wine, often used to describe the sensory qualities of high-quality white wines from cooler regions like Chablis, has been subject to much debate and analysis. Minerality is typically…

  • Wine on a P&O Cruise

    Wine on a P&O Cruise

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    Simon Judge

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    I recently embarked on a short P&O cruise, primarily for a holiday rather than to scrutinise their wine offerings. However, I couldn’t help but take a few notes. The quality of wine on cruises can be unpredictable, with underqualified staff and seriously overpriced bottles due to the captive audience. However, P&O stands out from the…

  • 25% Off Wine at Asda

    25% Off Wine at Asda

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    Simon Judge

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    Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, 6 bottles or more, until 11:59pm on Monday 6 May 2024.

  • 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 over £5.50, from 23 April 2024 until 6 May 2024.

  • Affordable and Lesser-Known Bordeaux Wines to Try

    Affordable and Lesser-Known Bordeaux Wines to Try

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    Simon Judge

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    David Williams, writing for The Guardian newspaper, highlights a range of lesser-known and more affordable Bordeaux wines as the famous wine region prepares to showcase its 2023 vintage. Here are the wines he mentions, along with their prices and suppliers: Château des Antonins Bordeaux Blanc 2022 – This white wine offers a blend of tangy…

  • Wine With Cheese

    Wine With Cheese

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    Simon Judge

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    Pairing wine with cheese offers a symphony of flavours that can elevate both the wine and the cheese to new heights. The key to a successful pairing is balancing intensity and harmony in flavours and textures. Here’s a general guide to get you started, but remember, these are guidelines rather than strict rules. Exploration and…

  • Portuguese Wines That Offer Unique and Delightful Flavours

    Portuguese Wines That Offer Unique and Delightful Flavours

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    Simon Judge

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    Susy Atkins, from the Telegraph Newspaper, highlights five Portuguese wines that offer unique and delightful flavours, diverging from common varietals like Malbec or Chardonnay. These wines, originating from various parts of Portugal, showcase the rich diversity and potential beyond the well-known ports and rosés. Here’s a summary of the wines along with their prices and…

  • Co-op Irresistible Provence Rosé

    Co-op Irresistible Provence Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    Produced by Les Maîtres Vignerons de Vidauban wine cooperative in the Côtes de Provence, this winery has been crafting wines for over a century. The 2022 vintage has 13% alcohol by volume and is vegan-friendly. This wine is distinguished by its delicate pale pink colour. The aroma is of small red fruits complemented by subtle…

  • Wine With Spicy Food

    Wine With Spicy Food

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    Simon Judge

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    Pairing wine with spicy food can be a interesting exploration of flavours if done thoughtfully. The key is to choose wines that balance the heat and enhance the dish’s flavours without overpowering them. Here are some recommendations that harmonise with spicy cuisines: When pairing wine with spicy food, it’s generally best to avoid high-tannin reds…

  • JPR Alicante Bouschet

    JPR Alicante Bouschet

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    Simon Judge

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    If you come across this particular Portuguese wine at the Coop, its modest label and unfamiliar name might not immediately catch your eye. Alicante Bouschet is a varietal developed in the late 19th century by vine breeder Henri Bouschet. Henri crossed one of his father’s hybrids with the Grenache (or Garnacha) grape, resulting in an…

  • Waitrose Spring Tasting

    Waitrose Spring Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In April 2024, I had the opportunity to attend a press tasting hosted by Waitrose in London, featuring new lines and vintages. The event presented just under 100 wines, of which I sampled the majority. Among the highlights were the new additions to the own brand ‘Loved & Found’ range, which originally launched in 2019….

  • Wine With Beef

    Wine With Beef

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    Simon Judge

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    Pairing wine with beef opens an array of possibilities, as the robust flavours of beef dishes pair wonderfully with many red wines, enhancing both the meal and the wine. The best pairing, however, depends on the preparation and seasoning of the beef. Here are some general recommendations: The key to a successful pairing is balancing…

  • Lidl Spring and Italian Wine Tours

    Lidl Spring and Italian Wine Tours

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    Simon Judge

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    In April 2024, I attended a Lidl wine tasting in London, which showcased wines planned to be introduced during the Spring and Italian wine tours in April and May 2024, respectively. Additionally, a selection of wines from Lidl’s core range was also being shown. Wine Tours at Lidl feature wines presented in wooden crates, each…

  • New UK Wine Funding Comes with Dubious New Reforms

    New UK Wine Funding Comes with Dubious New Reforms

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    Simon Judge

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    The UK government has launched the Future Winemakers’ Scheme with an investment of £1.5 million to support the burgeoning domestic wine industry, focusing on the education and training of future viticulturists and winemakers. Announced by Environment Secretary Steve Barclay at the WineGB conference, this initiative aims to cultivate skilled professionals to sustain and expand the…

  • La Gioiosa et Amorosa Rosea NV

    La Gioiosa et Amorosa Rosea NV

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    Simon Judge

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    La Gioiosa et Amorosa Rosea NV was a great surprise gift at a recent dinner party, which is how I came to try this different wine. Produced by La Gioiosa, a prominent name in Italian wine known particularly for its Prosecco, this rosé variant offers a twist on the traditional. Helmed by winemaker Valerio Fuson,…

  • Marques De Valido Gran Reserva Rioja

    Marques De Valido Gran Reserva Rioja

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    Simon Judge

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    The Marques De Valido Gran Reserva Rioja 2014 comes from a family winery operated by a father, son and cousin team. This is a Gran Reserva, which is typically only made in the finest vintages and spends two years maturing in oak barrels followed by another three years in the bottle. This wine has an…

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