Simon Judge
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UK Bulk Wine Bottlers Embrace Cork for Sustainability
The Drinks Business is reporting that two leading UK bulk wine bottlers are making a move back to traditional cork stoppers. This change comes amidst growing demand among wine brands for more sustainable packaging solutions. This trend is largely driven by cork’s sustainable credentials, which are becoming more valued by both consumers and wine brands….
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Calls for UK Budget Alcohol Relief to Boost Business and Curb Inflation
The Independent Newspaper is reporting that the alcohol industry is calling for cut to punishing duty rates. The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has voiced concerns over the detrimental effects of last year’s significant increases in alcohol duty, highlighting the negative repercussions on UK businesses and the broader economy. These increases, described as the…
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Real Wine Fair
The Real Wine Fair is at London’s Tobacco Dock on Sunday, April 28th 2024, open to both consumers and trade, and continue into Monday, April 29th 2024, exclusively for trade visitors. This year’s fair promises an impressive showcase of 180 producers who are at the forefront of organic, biodynamic and low-intervention winemaking. Attendees will have…
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Intruder Spills Wine worth €2.5m at Spanish Winery
The BBC is reporting a Spanish winery, Cepa 21, experienced significant losses exceeding €2.5 million (£2.1 million) when an unidentified individual emptied 60,000 litres of wine by opening tanks in the early hours of Sunday. This act of vandalism targeted two of the winery’s premium wines, Horcajo and Malabrigo. The complexity of the tanks’ security…
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Complexity
The term ‘complexity’ is often used to describe a wine’s multifaceted character. A complex wine offers a range of flavours, aromas and sensations that unfold in layers as you taste it. Unlike a simple wine, which might be pleasant but one-dimensional, a complex wine keeps your palate engaged by constantly revealing new aspects of its…
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Wine Patch
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Global Warming and the Wine Industry
In a new study, Adapting and Thriving: Global Warming and the Wine Industry, researchers from Israel Universities look into the issue of global warming’s impact on the wine industry and propose a suite of innovative agricultural practices to combat these challenges. As the planet warms, the wine industry faces shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns…
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Tasty Low-alcohol Wines
The Financial Times Newspaper has an article on Low-alcohol Wines that Offer Great Taste Without the Headache (might be behind paywall by the time you read this). Wines with alcohol by volume (ABV) between 3.5% and 9% and those naturally low in alcohol like some German Rieslings, are gaining popularity for their ability to combine…
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25% Off Wine at Asda
Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, until 11:59pm on Sunday 25 February 2024.
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Navigating the Rise of Alcohol in Wine
A new article Balancing act: Managing High Alcohol in Wine by Andy Neather discusses the growing concern in the wine industry regarding rising alcohol levels in wine, attributed to climate change and evolving consumer preferences for riper, more powerful wines. It specifically notes the trend of increasing alcohol content in wines from traditional regions like…
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The Best of Rioja 2024
Tim Atkin MW hosted a wine tasting event on 13 February 2024 that featured over 300 wines from leading bodegas, many of which came to London specifically to showcase their wines. This event marked a first in either London or Rioja, with such an extensive collection of wines being presented for tasting. Tim dedicates three…
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Bodacious Red
This a red blend from the Tejo wine region of Portugal formerly known as Ribatejo until its rebranding in 2009, now named after the Tejo River. It’s produced by Falua Sociedade de Vinos. The blend includes Castelão, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah. The wine gained a Bronze Medal at the 2023 IWSC and the…
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Cimarosa Sauvignon Blanc 2022
The Cimarosa Sauvignon Blanc 2022 from Marlborough, New Zealand, stands out in the crowded field of affordable wines, not just for its price point but also for its quality and accolades. Awarded at the Berliner Wine Trophy 2023 and scoring an impressive 90 points from the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), alongside a commendable…
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Wines for Comfort Food
In her article in Delicious Magazine on the best wines for comfort food, Susy Atkins recommends a selection of wines to complement hearty dishes. Suzy highlights wines that pair well with classics such as chilli, fish pie and roast chicken, offering a variety of options from different regions and at different price points. The Baron…
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Educators vs Seducers
There’s a thought provoking article at Meininger’s International that argues against the notion that increasing wine knowledge is the key to addressing the industry’s challenges. Instead, it emphasises the importance of sparking interest through fascination and seduction, rather than focusing solely on education. The piece illustrates this point with anecdotes about people in the wine…
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25% off Wine at Morrisons
25% discount on 6 or more bottles of wine, £5 or more. Until 14 February 2024.
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How Label Colour Shapes Wine Buying Decisions
New research looks into the psychological impact of wine label colour on consumers, examining how black and white versus colour labels affect the perceived value and appeal of red and white wines. It highlights that black and white labels significantly elevate the perceived quality and exclusivity of red wines, thereby increasing consumer interest and willingness…
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Lidl Italian and Iberian Wine Tours
In February 2024, I attended a Lidl wine tasting which showcased wines planned to be introduced during the Italian and Iberian wine tours in February and March 2024, respectively. Additionally, a selection of wines from Lidl’s existing collection was also being shown. Wine tours at Lidl are the wines displayed in wooden crates, each accompanied…
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New Zealand London Trade Tasting 2024
The New Zealand London Trade Tasting on 6 February 2024 included of a walkaround tasting and a masterclass ‘New Zealand Road Trip’ by Oz Clarke. At this tasting I mainly tried Sauvignon Blanc but I also tasted a few Chardonnay, Albariño, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Syrah wine and even a red blend. Please see my…
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Premox
Premox, or premature oxidation, is an issue that can affect wine, particularly white wines, most notably those from the Burgundy region of France. It refers to a condition where a wine ages prematurely, resulting in it losing freshness and exhibiting oxidised characteristics much earlier than expected. This problem is not limited to but is most…
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