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Simon Judge

  • Lidl Winter Wine Tours 2025

    Lidl Winter Wine Tours 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    In early February 2025, I attended Lidl’s press wine tasting event in London, where they showcased wines set to be available from either the end of February and the end of March as part of their Wine Tour series. Alongside these limited-time selections, there were also a few wines from their core range. Lidl’s Wine Tours run for around two months, offering customers a chance to explore and purchase these wines while stocks last. However, the most popular selections often sell out sooner. The aim is to keep Lidl’s wine offering fresh and encourage customers to return regularly to discover…

  • Josh Cellars Reserve Bourbon Barrel Zinfandel

    Josh Cellars Reserve Bourbon Barrel Zinfandel

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    Previously, I really enjoyed Josh Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at a past Majestic press tasting, so I thought I’d try the Zinfandel and I’m glad I did. Aged in charred bourbon barrels for two months, this 2021 vintage has an ABV of 14.5%. At first, the aroma was a little subdued, but after just half an hour in the decanter, it opened up beautifully, revealing a great cherry aroma reminiscent of a muted Rioja. The taste is rich and spicy, packed with blackberry, vanilla and caramel, gradually developing into deep dark chocolate notes. With low to medium tannins, this wine…

  • L’Occhiolino Rosato

    L’Occhiolino Rosato

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    This is, in essence, a Rosé Lambrusco, but if your know Lambrusco from the distant past, don’t be too quick to judge. Unlike the overly sweet versions of the past, this one is crisp, dry, and refreshingly modern. Lambrusco is making a well-deserved comeback, and for those in the know, it’s a grape well worth rediscovering. L’Occhiolino means ‘wink’. Made by Cantina di Carpi e Sorbara co-operative, an alliance of 1,200 dedicated producer partners, this rosato is comes from the rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna near Modena, Italy. A blend of 80% Lambrusco Sorbara and 20% Lambrusco Salamino, it is produced…

  • Calvet Sancerre Rosé

    Calvet Sancerre Rosé

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    This Rosé is from the Loire Valley, France, with an ABV of 12.5%, vintage 2023. It has a pale pink colour with an aroma of red fruits. The taste is dry but not overly so, with a strong strawberry taste. What makes it particularly great is the round and mellow mouthfeel. Many other French rosé wines are Grenache-based blends, which often lack the depth of flavour and roundness achieved by this Pinot Noir-based rosé. Rosé makes up only about 1% of Sancerre’s total output. Rosé wines are often, but not always, compromised in their creation, made to meet consumer expectations…

  • Australian Wine Report

    Australian Wine Report

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    A new report provides insights into Australian wine exports for the year ending December 2024. A significant theme was the surge in exports to mainland China following the removal of import tariffs in March 2024, which drove a 34% increase in export value to AUD 2.55 billion and a 7% rise in volume to 649 million litres. Exports to China alone accounted for AUD 902 million in value and 83 million litres in volume. However, exports to other global markets, including the UK, declined. Focusing on the UK, Australian wine exports showed relative stability after previous disruptions caused by Brexit…

  • pH Level

    pH Level

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    pH is a measure of acidity on a scale from 0 to 14. The relationship between a wine’s taste profile and its acidity can sometimes be misleading due to factors such as sweetness, tannins, alcohol content and winemaking techniques, particularly in red wines. In some cases, I measure the pH level to help determine the true nature of a wine. Affordable pH meters, an example shown on the left that I use, are readily available on eBay and Amazon, often costing less than a glass of wine. A pH meter can provide insights, helping you understand and compare different wines…

  • Berry Bros & Rudd Challenges

    Berry Bros & Rudd Challenges

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    Recent news that Berry Bros & Rudd is announcing a consultation over job cuts came as a surprise to me, given that luxury markets are typically the most protected from wider market difficulties. The new duty rates only represent a small increase for high-value wines and premium customers tend to be far less sensitive to belt-tightening than mass-market consumers. The company itself has cited global market conditions, high inflation and rising national insurance contributions as factors behind its decision. Although one might assume Berry Bros & Rudd and/or customers could absorb these challenges, ‘global market conditions’ can mask multiple underlying…

  • Australia and New Zealand Trade Tasting 2025

    Australia and New Zealand Trade Tasting 2025

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    For the first time, Australia and New Zealand combined their annual trade tastings in London, an event that historically has been held separately, New Zealand’s since 1982 and Wine Australia’s since 1986. The decision to merge the two was likely influenced by lower attendance in 2023, though it’s worth noting that train strikes in 2023 may have contributed to those numbers. This year’s event featured more than 1,000 wines from 200 wineries, a vast selection that posed the difficult question: how do I approach a tasting with so many wines? In previous years, when Australia and New Zealand held their…

  • Kew Gardens Mencía

    Kew Gardens Mencía

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    Launched in 2023 as part of a collaboration between Laithwaites and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the ‘Kew Series by Laithwaites’ highlights lesser-known grape varieties while promoting the importance of plant diversity in viticulture worldwide. The latest addition to the series is a fresh and different red wine made from the newly-revived Mencía grape. This 2022 vintage comes from Bierzo, a region in northwest Spain renowned for its expertise in Mencía. The wine undergoes three months of barrel aging, adding depth and character to its profile. Visually, it features a natural aesthetic, with a naked cork (no capsule) and a…

  • Hallgarten & Novum Annual Portfolio Tasting 2025

    Hallgarten & Novum Annual Portfolio Tasting 2025

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    The Hallgarten & Novum Annual Portfolio Tasting was held in January 2025 at the iconic Old Billingsgate in London. The choice of a new, expansive venue symbolised the company’s fresh direction, described by Hallgarten as “Our Next Chapter”. This event marked a pivotal moment for one of the UK’s leading wine distributors, reflecting its growth and transformation. Founded in 1933, Hallgarten & Novum Wines has long been a cornerstone of the UK’s wine trade, specialising in premium wines for both the hospitality sector (on-trade) and retail outlets (off-trade). Notably, around 70% of its business is rooted in the premium on-trade…

  • De Bortoli Botrytis Semillon

    De Bortoli Botrytis Semillon

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    De Bortoli’s Botrytis Semillon Family Reserve is a great example of Australia’s ‘stickies’, a colloquial term for their sweet, dessert-style wines. Made exclusively from 100% Sémillon grapes, the wine is made under the influence of the Botrytis Cinerea fungus, also known as ‘noble rot’. This beneficial fungus, thriving under the right climatic conditions, concentrates the sugars and flavours in the grapes, resulting in an opulent and richly complex wine. The 2020 vintage, 9% ABV, offers a luxurious aromatic profile, dominated by notes of apricot and citrus. Its texture is exceptionally syrupy, delivering a luscious mouthfeel. The taste reveals a great…

  • A New Type of International Wine

    A New Type of International Wine

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    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

    Beaujolais for Winter

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    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

    Chosen by Majestic Pinotage

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    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

    Doctor Wine’s 2025 Essential Guide to Italian Wine

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    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

    Wine, Flavonoids and Health

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    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

    Insights from the ProWein Business Report 2025

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    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

    The Affects of the New UK Duty Rates

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    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

    Fairtrade Organic Malbec

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    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 2025: a French Wine Tasting

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    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…

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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

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