Simon Judge

  • Wine in Grapes

    Wine in Grapes

  • From Wine Lees to Jelly Sweets

    From Wine Lees to Jelly Sweets

    Researchers in Turkey have discovered an innovative and sustainable use for winery waste, specifically wine lees, which are residues left over after the fermentation process in winemaking. This waste material, primarily comprising dead yeast cells, has been found to be a promising natural colouring agent for gelatine-based sweets, offering both cost-effectiveness and health benefits. This…

  • 25% Off Wine at Asda

    25% Off Wine at Asda

    Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, until 11:59pm on 13 December 2023.

  • The End of an Era: Oddbins Closes Its Physical Stores

    The End of an Era: Oddbins Closes Its Physical Stores

    Harpers is reporting that the renowned wine retailer Oddbins has taken a significant turn by closing the physical aspect of its business, signalling the end of an era for a brand that was once a staple on UK high streets. Oddbins, known for its diverse and quality wine offerings, faced challenges in regaining its pre-pandemic…

  • White Castle Vineyard Triumphs at 2023 Welsh Wine Awards

    White Castle Vineyard Triumphs at 2023 Welsh Wine Awards

    The Welsh wine industry celebrated the 2023 Welsh Wine Awards, held at the Llanerch Vineyard Hotel in Hensol on 6 November, 2023. The awards, marking their most successful year yet, were organised by the Welsh Vineyards Association (WVA) . In a year that also commemorates WVA’s tenth anniversary, the competition saw a record-breaking entry of…

  • Top 100 Tasting with Tim Atkin MW

    Top 100 Tasting with Tim Atkin MW

    On the 14th of November 2023, I went to a trade and press wine tasting event ‘Top 100 Tasting with Tim Atkin MW’ focussing on Ribera del Duero. The event was a curated selection of wines from Tim Atkin’s recent visit to the region. Ribera del Duero is renowned for its deep colours, complex aromas,…

  • Understanding Ribera del Duero

    Understanding Ribera del Duero

    Ribera del Duero, a wine region in Spain, is mainly known for its red wines. Situated along the Duero River in the northern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula, Ribera del Duero benefits from a unique climate, higher altitude and a rich winemaking heritage. The region gained its Denominación de Origen (DO) status in 1982. The…

  • Independent Wine Retailers Resilient Amidst Market Challenges

    Independent Wine Retailers Resilient Amidst Market Challenges

    In recent years, the narrative surrounding independent wine retailers in the UK has been dominated by a sense of impending doom, fuelled by the aggressive competition from supermarkets with their convenience of next-day delivery. However, the latest figures from The Wine Merchant paint a surprisingly different picture, one of resilience and steadiness in a turbulent…

  • 25% off Wine at Morrisons

    25% off Wine at Morrisons

    A rare 25% discount on 6 or more bottles of wine, £5 or more. Until 21 November 2023.

  • 25% Off Wine at Tesco

    25% Off Wine at Tesco

    Tesco has save 25% off wine with Clubcard when you buy 6+ bottles that are over £5.50, from 13 November 23 until 3 December 2023.

  • 25% off Wine at Sainsbury’s

    25% off Wine at Sainsbury’s

    Sainsbury’s has 25% off wine, 6 bottles or more, £5 or more, from 13 November 2023 until and including 12 December 2023.

  • Mimo Moutinho Lisboa Red

    Mimo Moutinho Lisboa Red

    The 2021 Mimo Moutinho Lisboa Red from Aldi is made from the Touriga Nacional grape. Following the footsteps of its predecessor, the 2019 vintage, which Decanter praised for its ‘juicy brambles, liquorice and smoky tarry notes’, this wine maintains a high standard, scoring a respectable 3.8 on Vivino. On tasting, there’s red fruits. The wine…

  • Wine in Wine

    Wine in Wine

  • Produttori Primitivo di Manduria Riserva

    Produttori Primitivo di Manduria Riserva

    The 2019 vintage from Manduria’s Consorzio Produttori Vini showcases the deep-rooted history of the winery, founded in 1932. This year is proudly indicated on the label. This full-bodied wine, with its robust 14.5% alcohol content, is also suitable for vegans. The wine has been carefully aged in oak barrels for at least nine months, a…

  • Noble Rot

    Noble Rot

    Noble rot, also known as ‘Botrytis cinerea’, is a beneficial fungus that affects wine grapes. Under specific conditions, this fungus can lead to the production of some of the world’s best sweet wines. When the fungus attacks the grape, it causes the grape to shrivel, concentrating the sugars and flavours. This results in a very…

  • 2023 Wine Production Expected to be Smallest for Sixty Years

    2023 Wine Production Expected to be Smallest for Sixty Years

    The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) has reported that the world wine production for 2023 is expected to be the smallest in over six decades due to severe climatic events affecting yields across the globe. The European Union anticipates a lower output, with Italy and Spain experiencing significant declines due to adverse weather…

  • Fine Wine

    Fine Wine

    Fine wine is a ambiguous term, often used the world of high-quality wines that stand out due to their exceptional taste, aroma and potential to age gracefully. These wines, typically crafted in limited batches, come from well-known vineyards and are the acquired by collectors, enthusiasts and connoisseurs. Major wine-producing regions, like Bordeaux in France, Tuscany…

  • Wine On The Wall

    Wine On The Wall

  • New Marketing Campaign for Diablo Brand

    New Marketing Campaign for Diablo Brand

    Drinks Retailing has recently revealed that Concha y Toro, the large Chilean wine producer, is rolling out a fresh marketing campaign for its Diablo wine brand. The brand, which has seen a significant popularity, is now estimated to be worth a large £15 million in retail sales. One of the highlights of this campaign is…

  • Masso Antico Negroamaro

    Masso Antico Negroamaro

    The Masso Antico Negroamaro from Salento, Puglia, comes with a reputation that sets high expectations. Awarded a gold medal at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2021 and rated 4.1 on Vivino, not to mention its IWSC bronze, this organic wine certainly has a lot to live up to. Upon uncorking, the first thing that…