Simon

  • Supermarket Comparison Sites

    Supermarket Comparison Sites

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    Simon

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    Supermarket comparison websites can be handy when shopping for wines. I use them in two ways. The first is for branded wine, where it’s possible to find the current lowest price, and with some platforms, the fluctuation in price over time. The second way is to use them to discover all wines of a certain…

  • Hydrometer

    Hydrometer

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    Simon

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    I sometimes use a hydrometer to measure the sweetness of wines (at home!), particularly when I am unsure of the sweetness. While it’s usually easy to assess whites, reds can sometimes be deceiving. A hydrometer measures the specific gravity (SG) of a liquid, which is a measure of its density relative to water. In winemaking,…

  • Dr L Riesling

    Dr L Riesling

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    Simon

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    Originating from the Mosel region of Germany, this fruity Riesling has a refreshingly crisp flavour despite its low alcohol content of 8.5%. The honey-like sweetness is balanced by the acidity that together provide a lengthy finish. This medium-to-sweet wine ranks amongst the top 25 German Rieslings in the UK on Vivino, with an impressive score…

  • Discover Greek Wine

    Discover Greek Wine

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    Simon

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    On 16th August 2023 at 7pm, Cellar Magnifique in Woking is hosting a wine discovery event. This month’s focus is on Greek wines, guided by the Events Manager and winemaker, Sam. The wines will be paired with authentic Greek food from the local restaurant, Elia. I’ll be reporting back on this event.

  • Finish

    Finish

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    Simon

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    The wine finish refers to the taste that lingers after tasting a wine. Finish is an important aspect that reveals the depth, complexity and quality of a wine. The finish can vary greatly, being short or long, simple or complex and smooth or harsh. Factors such as the type of grape, the terroir, winemaking techniques,…

  • The Truth About ‘Contains Sulphites’ on a Bottle of Wine

    The Truth About ‘Contains Sulphites’ on a Bottle of Wine

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    Simon

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    If you’ve ever looked closely at the label of a wine bottle, you might have noticed the words ‘contains sulphites.’ What does this mean and should it concern you? Since 2005, it has been a requirement by law to declare sulphites if the present level is 10 mg/l or higher. This isn’t something new to…

  • Best Supermarket Prosecco of 2023

    Best Supermarket Prosecco of 2023

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    Simon

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    A recent article in the Evening Standard highlights the Best supermarket Prosecco of 2023. According to the Prosecco DOC Consortium, the UK imported 130 million bottles in 2022, reflecting a 3.5% increase from the 2021 volume. However, the Evening Standard’s article contains an inaccuracy, stating that Prosecco is made in the same way as Champagne,…

  • Rosé Wine Tasting

    Rosé Wine Tasting

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    Simon

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    This was a wine tasting with family and a few friends, accompanied by the online ‘Everything’s Coming Up Rosé – Rosé’ workshop hosted by The Wine Society. The wines in the online tasting were The Society’s Saumur Rosé Brut NV, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence Rosé, Château Vignelaure 2022, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Contesa 2022 and Rosé d’Anjou…

  • Decanter’s London Fine Wine Encounter 2023

    Decanter’s London Fine Wine Encounter 2023

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    Simon

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    Priority booking is open for Decanter’s members’ only London Fine Wine Encounter 2023, set for Saturday, 11th November at The Landmark London. The Landmark London will provide an ideal setting for respected wineries to showcase their offerings. Attendees will be immersed in an all-day Grand Tasting event where they can sample over 1,000 exquisite wines…

  • Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

    Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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    Simon

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    With a medium body, this wine has flavours of ripe cherries, accompanied by sweet spices and an enticing whisper of smoke. Under Italian wine regulations, a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine must contain at least 85% Montepulciano with Sangiovese permitted to make up to 15% of the remaining blend. The wine is required to be aged for…

  • International Wine & Spirit Competition 2023

    International Wine & Spirit Competition 2023

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    Simon

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    The IWSC, or the International Wine & Spirit Competition, is an annual competition that assesses and awards the highest-quality wines and spirits from around the world. Unfortunately, the IWSC web site isn’t really designed for consumers and instead it serves producers and retailers who put award stickers on their bottles. You can browse the results…

  • Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

    Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

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    Simon

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    The Yealands reserve collection showcases the premium fruit from Yealand’s ‘Seaview’ site in the Awatere Valley. It offers a more pronounced passionfruit and citrus flavour profile compared to the standard Yealands Sauvignon Blanc. I found this to be a great wine, one that I plan to purchase again, though my preference still leans towards the…

  • Brut

    Brut

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    Simon

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    In the sparkling wine industry, the term ‘Brut’ is used to classify the sweetness level of the wine, which is determined by the amount of residual sugar left in the wine after fermentation. Here is a broad classification of the sweetness levels, starting from the driest:

  • Cork Dork

    Cork Dork

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    Simon

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    Journalist and hobbyist drinker, Bianca Bosker, initially knew little about wine until she stumbled upon a world dominated by elite sommeliers obsessed with flavour. Intrigued by their passion and almost supernatural tasting abilities, she embarked on a journey to understand their obsession, exploring whether she could become a “cork dork” herself. Through a mixture of…

  • Barbeque Food and Wine Pairings

    Barbeque Food and Wine Pairings

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    Simon

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    The Wine Society have a free BBQ with wine online event on 22 Aug 2023 7:00 – 08:00 pm. Join Emma Briffett and Ewan Murray from The Society’s Tastings & Events team as they share their guidance on pairing wine with outdoor grill food. They’ll discuss what combinations work well and which ones to avoid….

  • Waitrose to Cut Wine Shelf Space

    Waitrose to Cut Wine Shelf Space

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    Simon

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    The Drinks Business is reporting that Waitrose intends to cut down the shelf space dedicated to wine to accommodate an increased selection of alcohol-free products. Blue signage will mark designated areas for non-alcoholic options in 253 stores, increasing the space for these items by 60%. Pierpaolo Petrassi, head of beers, wines, and spirits at Waitrose,…

  • Lees

    Lees

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    Simon

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    Wine lees are the solid remnants that settle at the bottom of the fermentation vessel during the winemaking process. They are a mixture of spent yeast cells, grape particles and other organic matter. Some wines, like Champagne, certain Chardonnays and Muscadets, are aged on their lees, a process known as “sur lie” aging. This can…

  • Sainsbury’s Brut Non Vintage Champagne

    Sainsbury’s Brut Non Vintage Champagne

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    Simon

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    This champagne, crafted by Louis Kremer Champagne House, uses 20% reserve wines in its blend. “Salty, nutty notes are joined by intense green apple fruit on the nose. A green cooking apple character on the palate sits alongside roasted nuts and a lively acid backbone. It has a wonderful vibrancy that makes this a useful…

  • Laithwaites/Sunday Times Wine Club Festival

    Laithwaites/Sunday Times Wine Club Festival

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    Simon

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    This year, I went to the Laithwaites/ Sunday Times Wine Club, Wine Festival held last May at its new venue, Olympia London, which is undergoing renovation and more like a construction site. There was a long queue and, on entering, the unfortunate smell of fresh paint, not something conducive to tasting wines! The event boasted…

  • Wine Science: The Application of Science in Winemaking

    Wine Science: The Application of Science in Winemaking

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    Simon

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    This book explores the processes, advancements and factors impacting science of winemaking. With the rise of scientific techniques to enhance the consistency and profitability of wines, there has been a global exchange of knowledge, ideas and practices. This book, written by Jamie Goode, is unique in offering an in-depth examination of wine science. Goode adeptly…

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