Simon Judge

  • How Interior Design Can Enhance the Enjoyment of Wine

    How Interior Design Can Enhance the Enjoyment of Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    Campo Viejo has recently unveiled a study that looks into the relationship between interior spaces and the enjoyment of the wine served within them. The study’s findings suggest that the design and ambiance of a space can significantly influence our sensory experiences, particularly when it comes to experiencing wine. The experiment, though small in scale,…

  • Feliz Rioja, November 2023

    Feliz Rioja, November 2023

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    Simon Judge

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    This November, the UK will have Feliz Rioja, a month-long event set to highlight the prominence of the Rioja wine-producing region across various outlets in the UK. Independent retailers, restaurants and wine bars throughout the country have registered their participation. With over 100 outlets involved, the event aims to provide a comprehensive exposure to Rioja…

  • Flooding in South Africa Could Disrupt Your Favourite Wines

    Flooding in South Africa Could Disrupt Your Favourite Wines

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    The South African wine industry is facing a new set of challenges that could potentially disrupt the supply and quality of wines from the region. According to a recent article on Wine Spectator, South African winemakers are grappling with flooding, which has caused significant damage to vineyards and infrastructure. This comes on top of the…

  • 25% off Wine at Waitrose

    25% off Wine at Waitrose

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    Simon Judge

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    Waitrose has 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced £6 or over from 1 November to 7 November inclusive.

  • Tesco’s Finest Wine Labels Get a Makeover

    Tesco’s Finest Wine Labels Get a Makeover

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    Simon Judge

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    Drinks Retailing is reporting that Tesco has started to update the labels of its Finest range of wines. The move aims to enrich the customer experience by using the labels to tell the story behind each wine. This initiative is part of Tesco’s broader strategy to enhance its Finest packaging and offer consumers a more…

  • Time to Wine Down

    Time to Wine Down

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    Simon Judge

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  • The Growth and Challenges of the Prosecco DOC Industry

    The Growth and Challenges of the Prosecco DOC Industry

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    Simon Judge

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    A new research paper “Dominant business models and sustainable long-term growth, A System Dynamics-based analysis of the Prosecco wine industry” (pdf) investigates the strong growth of the Prosecco (DOC) industry and its implications for long-term sustainability. The industry’s great rise can be attributed to a variety of factors. Regulatory changes in 2009 significantly expanded the…

  • Triade Rosso IGT Puglia

    Triade Rosso IGT Puglia

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    Simon Judge

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    Triade Rosso is a interesting red wine from Puglia in Italy. This blend combines three grape varieties: Primitivo, Negroamaro, and Nero di Troia. The result is a wine that is deep red in colour, offering a different type of complexity. On the nose, the wine greets you with a bouquet of blueberries, dark cherries, cinnamon…

  • Good Housekeeping’s German Rieslings

    Good Housekeeping’s German Rieslings

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    The Good Housekeeping Institute’s annual Wine Awards panel, consisting of 10 WSET-accredited experts, sampled various bottles to identify the Best German Rieslings, for 2023. German Riesling wines are renowned for their sophisticated flavours, intricate depth, and invigorating zest. These wines offer a spectrum of tastes, from exceedingly dry to delightfully sweet, and usually feature a…

  • Varietal Wine

    Varietal Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    Varietal wine is made mainly from a single grape variety and its label usually indicates this. It aims to showcase the unique characteristics of that specific grape. On the other hand, many wines are blends for several reasons. Blending can add complexity by combining the attributes of different grape varieties. It also allows for more…

  • Specially Selected Rioja Rosado

    Specially Selected Rioja Rosado

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    Simon Judge

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    Aldi’s Specially Selected Rioja Rosado 2022 has a DOC certification. While it’s advertised as being pink, I think the wine has a more golden hue. My wife, who picked this wine from Aldi, likens its taste to that of rosehip cordial. It’s a dry wine with a hint of fruitiness, making it ok on its…

  • Hiding Behind the Glass

    Hiding Behind the Glass

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    Simon Judge

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  • French Winemakers Destroy Spanish Wine

    French Winemakers Destroy Spanish Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    The Telegraph newspaper has reported that, in a striking move against what they see as unfair competition, around 500 French wine makers from Narbonne and Perpignan stopped lorries importing Spanish wines at the border town of Boulou. They emptied thousands of gallons of rosé and smashed 10,000 bottles of Spanish sparkling wine on the roads….

  • New record: Most wine glasses balanced on the head

    New record: Most wine glasses balanced on the head

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    Simon Judge

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    62-year-old Aristotelis Valaoritis from Cyprus has broken the Guinness World Record for balancing the most wine glasses on the head. Glass dancing, a popular spectacle at Cypriot weddings and special occasions, involves the performer moving around while balancing glasses on their head. Valaoritis, a security advisor by profession, has been a long-time practitioner of this…

  • Super Tuscan

    Super Tuscan

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    Simon Judge

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    A Super Tuscan wine refers to red wines produced in Tuscany, Italy, that don’t adhere to the traditional wine-making rules of the region. In the 1970s, some Tuscan wine producers began to feel constrained by the strict wine-making regulations of the region. These rules dictated which grape varieties could be used, the methods of production…

  • Do Wine Reviews Matter?

    Do Wine Reviews Matter?

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    Simon Judge

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    There’s recent research (PDF) looking into the impact of peer preferences and expert reviews on consumer behaviour, specifically for products like wine that consumers can sample. Through two experimental studies, the research identified that when consumers taste wines, their own rating significantly influences their willingness to pay (WTP). A one-star increase in their rating can…

  • New UK Wine Reforms Announced

    New UK Wine Reforms Announced

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    Simon Judge

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    The UK government has announced a series of reforms aimed at boosting investment and easing regulatory burdens on the wine industry. Set to take effect in 2024, these changes are part of a broader strategy to modernise the sector and encourage sustainable practices. The reforms were announced are the result of a public consultation. The…

  • The Evolving Advice for UK Wine Buying

    The Evolving Advice for UK Wine Buying

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    Simon Judge

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    The UK’s wine market is undergoing a transformation, influenced by factors like the cost of living crisis, Brexit and new alcohol duty regulations. David Williams, a wine writer for The Guardian newspaper, has some advice for navigating this shifting landscape. David says the new baseline for a good, everyday bottle is £8 rather than £5.99….

  • Wine Nose

    Wine Nose

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    Simon Judge

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  • 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, on £6+ bottles, when buying 6 more bottles, until and including 31 October 2023.

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