Simon Judge
-
A New Type of International Wine
Wine sold in the UK no longer needs to originate from one country because of Brexit, which freed the UK from EU regulations, including those governing wine production and labelling. Under EU law, wines that combine EU and non-EU fruit are prohibited, reflecting a strict adherence to the concept of terroir. Terroir emphasises the unique environmental factors of a specific region, such as soil and climate, which influence the wine’s character. However, these restrictions no longer apply to the UK, allowing winemakers to experiment with blends from different countries. The BBC is reporting how French winemaker Maxime Chapoutier has created…
-
Beaujolais for Winter
Hannah Crosbie of the The Guardian newspaper explains how Beaujolais is an excellent choice for winter drinking, offering variety and versatility. Although often associated with the annual Beaujolais Nouveau celebration in November, its appeal extends well into the colder months. These wines, particularly enjoyable when slightly chilled, provide a vibrant contrast to heavier reds and showcase the diversity of the Beaujolais region. The region’s wines range from the light and playful standard Beaujolais to more complex options like Beaujolais-Villages and the ten crus, each offering distinct characteristics. Highlights include the floral Saint-Amour and the expressive Côte de Brouilly. The terroir…
-
Chosen by Majestic Pinotage
Pinotage is a grape variety that often flies under the radar and often offers hidden, affordable treasures at least for me. Originally cultivated in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University, Pinotage is a crossbreed of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. Renowned for its rich colour and bold flavours, this grape is synonymous with South Africa, though it has also found a home in other regions, including New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Switzerland and Israel. This wine comes from the Majestic ‘Chosen by Majestic’ range, a more affordable alternative to its Definition range. Offering exceptional value at…
-
Doctor Wine’s 2025 Essential Guide to Italian Wine
In January 2025, I attended an insightful Italian wine masterclass and an exceptional wine tasting experience. Daniele Cernilli, known as Doctor Wine, is a leading Italian wine expert, award-winning journalist, author and educator. He co-founded Gambero Rosso and edited its annual wine guide for 24 years. In 2011, he launched the Doctor Wine web magazine, where he shares his extensive knowledge of Italian wine. The event marked the launch of The Essential Guide to Italian Wine 2025, a publication curated by editor Daniele Cernilli and his expert team. This guide highlights their selection of the best and must-have wines for…
-
Wine, Flavonoids and Health
With much debate surrounding wine’s impact on health, here’s some balancing news. New research (pdf) offers an in-depth look at flavonoids, compounds found in wine that might tip the scales in favour of moderate consumption. In red wine, flavonoids make up as much as 90% of its phenolic content. These phenols, largely derived from the grape’s stems, seeds, and skins, are released during the maceration process in winemaking. This process, known as extraction, affects the wine’s astringency, colour and mouthfeel. White wines, on the other hand, have fewer flavonoids due to reduced contact with the grape skins during production. Flavonoids…
-
Insights from the ProWein Business Report 2025
The new ProWein Business Report 2025, based on a survey of over 1,300 wine industry experts from more than 30 countries, highlights the challenges and trends shaping the global wine market. The report explains the importance of adapting to economic pressures, changing consumer preferences and evolving industry demands. Economic challenges and shifting consumer behaviour remain at the forefront of industry concerns. Although cost pressures have slightly eased (with an index drop from 73 to 65), producers in regions such as Germany, Spain, and the US, along with retailers in the UK and Ireland, continue to face significant difficulties. Consumer spending…
-
The Affects of the New UK Duty Rates
From 1 February 2025, the UK implements new alcohol duty rates, ushering in changes that will significantly impact both importers and consumers. With 30 different duty rates to navigate, the complexity of this system is daunting, particularly for importers. For consumers, the effects will be felt primarily in pricing and in some cases a change to wines. The first factor driving this change is the adjustment of alcohol duty rates in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation. On top of this, wines will be subject to a new sliding scale of duty meaning the higher the alcohol content,…
-
Fairtrade Organic Malbec
I first encountered the Fairtrade Organic Malbec during a wine tasting I hosted, but with the 2022 vintage. Its atypical profile made a strong impression on me and it became one of my picks for its nuanced character, which stood out against the typical Malbecs. The 2023 vintage, now at 12.5% ABV compared to the 13% of 2022, intrigued me. I wondered if the reduction in alcohol content was a response to upcoming UK duty tariff changes or something related to vineyard management. Climate seems an unlikely factor, given the arid, high-altitude conditions of the Famatina Valley where the grapes…
-
VIN 2025: a French Wine Tasting
VIN in London marked my first tasting for 2025, an event organised by Business France, the trade section of the French Embassy in the UK, in collaboration with various French partners. This event brought together four UK importers and 34 producers, showing an impressive selection of over 500 wines from multiple French regions. The wines fell into two main categories: those already imported into the UK by the participating importers, and others, many of which are seeking representation. A notable highlight was the quality of the latter group. Many of these wines had already achieved significant recognition through awards and…
-
The Effects of Climate Change on Winemaking
Researchers from Italy have put together a useful paper (pdf) on the effects of climate change on wine composition and winemaking processes, focusing on the challenges posed and strategies to address them. This research is relevant because climate change will increasingly alter the flavour profiles, quality and availability of wines. It highlights how increasing temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and extreme weather events impact grapevine physiology, grape composition and overall wine quality. These changes result in higher sugar content, reduced acidity and elevated pH levels, leading to increased alcohol levels in wine, which affects its sensory characteristics and market appeal. To…
-
Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva
I recently came across and purchased a newly listed wine at Aldi, the Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva (2014 vintage), with a brown label and gold mesh. This wine is produced by Pagos del Rey, part of the Felix Solís group, one of the largest family-owned wineries globally. It different to the Criadores de Rioja produced Gran Reserva (black on white label) also under the Baron Amarillo name. The wine has the classic cherry aroma typical of a Rioja but carries hints of leather and caramel. Taste wise, it is soft, yet the finish is unexpectedly dry, with notes of dark…
-
The Traitor Red Blend
As I write this, a new season of the hugely popular show The Traitors is captivating audiences on UK TV. Possibly by coincidence, Majestic has introduced a new Chilean own-label wine range intriguingly titled The Traitor, complete with its own fascinating backstory: The legend of the Añañuca flower tells of a young indigenous woman from Monte Rey who falls in love with a miner, rejecting the advances of other men. The miner, consumed by a dream revealing the location of a treasure-filled mine, abandons her without hesitation and never returns. Heartbroken, Añañuca eventually dies. The day after her burial, the…
-
Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir
Coming from the coastal San Antonio region in Chile, Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir is made using traditional Burgundy vinification methods. This wine is aged in a mix of foudres and partially new oak barrels, adding depth and complexity to its character. This 2021 vintage has earned considerable acclaim, receiving 93 points from Tim Atkin, a Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) and 92 points from the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Notably, it is now part of Tesco’s new premium wine selection, previously accessible only through independent wine merchants. My first encounter with it was…
-
Insights from Vivino vs Expert Bordeaux Reviews
A new paper from Cambridge University Press examines the validity of crowdsourced wine ratings, focusing on the Vivino platform, by comparing them with professional critics’ assessments and exploring their sensitivity to weather variations that impact wine quality. Using a dataset of Bordeaux red wines, the study finds substantial correlation between Vivino ratings and professional evaluations, though the latter exhibit stronger internal consistency. Differences are partly due to amateurs prioritising immediate drinking pleasure, whereas professionals consider the wine’s ageing potential. Both amateurs and critics are responsive to weather conditions that affect grape quality, aligning with findings in viticulture literature. However, the…
-
Exploring Regional Differences in Wine Tasting
The new study (pdf) explores whether distinct groups of wine experts differ in their sensory and quality assessments of the same wines. Blind tastings were conducted with panels from two Canadian regions, the Okanagan Valley and Montreal, which have different socio-cultural and training backgrounds. The Okanagan panel included winemakers and winery employees with training in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, while the Montreal group comprised sommeliers and wine journalists trained in a French-inspired approach. The research found significant differences in how the panels evaluated certain sensory attributes such as vegetative, bitterness and balance. The Montreal panel rated sensory attributes…
-
Bruce Jack Pinotage Malbec
This South African red wine from the Breedekloof Valley in the Western Cape is a more unusual blend of 70% Pinotage and 30% Malbec. Pinotage is a grape that tends to produce wines that polarise opinion, but I find this wine to be a standout example. It opens with a lovely smoky aroma, complemented by enticing notes of blackcurrant, without any excessive volatile aromas or burntness that you can get with Pinotage. On the palate, the continued smoky and blackcurrant flavours are rich and satisfying, paired with a very round mouthfeel. While the influence of the Malbec isn’t distinctly noticeable,…
-
Sparkling Wine, Champagne and Premium Own-Label Fuelled Christmas Growth in UK
Kantar data shows that sparkling wine and Champagne were standout performers in the UK festive retail market, with sales growing by 4.4% to reach a total of £187 million across December 2024. This increase reflects a strong consumer appetite for celebratory drinks during the holiday season, despite rising grocery price inflation. Fortified wines also saw strong sales, with over 45s accounting for the majority of purchases in this category. Premium own-label lines, including wine offerings, saw good growth, with sales rising by 14.6% compared to the previous year. These lines now represent a record 7% of all grocery sales, driven…
-
The Battle Between Science and Prohibitionists
David Morrison argues on his blog that current medical evidence does not support the claim that moderate wine consumption is harmful, though public health messaging has increasingly taken a prohibitionist stance. He critiques official health organisations, such as the WHO and the UK Chief Medical Officers, for their stringent guidelines on alcohol, pointing out a lack of solid scientific evidence to justify their warnings. Morrison, a seasoned scientist with extensive research credentials, states that moderate wine consumption, defined as up to two glasses per day for men and one for women, poses no harm according to recent studies. He references…
-
Waitrose No.1 La Val Albariño
I very briefly mentioned this wine in the Waitrose Autumn Press Tasting and it warranted closer exploration. Produced by the Spanish winery Bodegas La Val, this 2023 vintage Albariño is made without oak, offering a clean and expressive character. The most intriguing aspect of this wine is how its profile transforms so dramatically as it warms, yet it maintains its appeal whether served very cool or at a warmer temperature. When served well chilled, this wine has a fresh, citrusy profile with a distinct salty, saline quality that reflects the ‘gentle coastal character’ noted on the back label and illustrated…
-
French Red Wine Faces Crisis Amid Changing Tastes
The FT newspaper is reporting (link started free but might be behind paywall by the time you read this) that the French red wine industry is facing a severe decline as younger generations increasingly shift away from red wine, opting for rosé, beer, spirits, or alcohol-free alternatives and some avoid alcohol altogether. Consumption of red wine in France has fallen by about 90% since the 1970s, while total wine consumption has decreased by over 80% since 1945. Generation Z purchases significantly less wine than older generations, highlighting a generational shift. Experts attribute the decline to the industry’s failure to connect…
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
IMAGE WALL
Tools
Recent
Tags
25% Off Wine Aldi Amarone Argentina Articles Asda Australia Award Awards25 Bibendum Bizarre Blog Books Bordeaux Bulgaria Bulk Bottling Cabernet Sauvignon Carménère Cava Champagne Chardonnay Chile Climate Change Coop Crémant Decanter Duty English Wine EPR Fairtrade Food France Furmint Germany Glossary Greece Health Hungary Italy IWSC Jeroboams Laithwaites Legislation Liberty Wines Lidl Low Alcohol M&S Majestic Malbec Merch Merlot Morrisons Natural News New Zealand Non-Alcoholic Ocado Old Vine Organic Past Tastings Pick List Pinotage Pinot Noir Port Portugal Primitivo Prosecco Regulations Reviews Ribera del Duero Riesling Rioja Ripasso Rose Sainsbury's Saperavi Sauvignon Blanc Shiraz Sicily South Africa Spain Sparkling Supermarkets Sustainable Tax Terroir Tesco The Wine Society Unrepresented USA Valpolicella Virgin Wines Waitrose Wanderlust Welsh Wine What to Buy Wine Art WineGB WIne Glasses Zinfandel