Simon Judge
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Lidl’s Chateaux Noir Returns, Challenging Wine Etiquette and Preconceptions
Four years after its sell-out success, Lidl (UK) has once again launched its wine tasting event, Chateaux Noir. This unique experience, designed to democratise wine and challenge traditional wine etiquette, aims to change perceptions this festive season. Recent research indicates that more than a quarter of people still believe that pricier wine labels guarantee better…
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Specially Selected Toscana Rosso
The Specially Selected Toscana Rosso 2021 is a red, 14% alcohol, wine that’s medium to full-bodied. Its origins are somewhat shrouded in mystery, with the bottle labels being coy about the wine producer. Despite the lack of provenance, there’s a clue of its origin on the back label – a mention of bottled for Buontalenti…
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25% Off Wine at Tesco
Tesco has save 25% off wine with Clubcard when you buy 6+ bottles that are over £5.50, until Mon 30/10/23.
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The Wine Buying Experience in Specialist Wine Retailers
There’s an interesting new whitepaper titled “Wine Decisions: The Wine Buying Experience in Independent Specialist Wine Retailers” based on a research study conducted by KAM in collaboration with Hallgarten & Novum Wines, focusing on consumer behavior within the UK’s independent specialist wine retail sector. This study, involving 1,185 participants, explores the driving factors influencing consumer…
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Mousiness
Wine mousiness is a fault that arises during the wine making process, mainly due to the presence of undesirable Brettanomyces (‘Brett’) and Lactobacillus. These microorganisms produce certain compounds like tetrahydropyridine that are responsible for the unpleasant odour and taste associated with this fault. It’s called ‘mousiness’ or ‘mouse cage’ due to the characteristic odour and…
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French Wine Gold Medal Insights
The French online magazine TheLocal has an enlightening article (you can only view once before goes to paywall) on French wine gold medals that you might have seen on French wine bottles. In 2022, over 24,000 medals were awarded, originating from various wine competitions (les concours) held throughout France. These competitions require a fee for…
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Orange Wine is Breaking into the Mainstream
The Telegraph newspaper is explaining how orange wine is breaking into the mainstream. Once a niche taste favoured by few, orange wines are starting to go mainstream. They sit between red and white wines, although their vinification process sharply deviates from that of rosé. While rosé comes from red grapes handled much like white ones,…
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Light Strike
Light strike in wine, caused by exposure to sunlight or artificial light, leads to unpleasant aromas and flavours reminiscent of sewage, rotten eggs, wet wool or cooked cabbage. This is due to the generation of compounds such as dimethyl disulphide created when light reacts with riboflavin in the wine, creating off-smelling sulphur compounds. The problem…
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What is Sustainable Wine?
Sustainable wine covers a range of practices aimed at diminishing the adverse impacts of wine production on the planet while ensuring the long-term viability for the industry. At the core of sustainable wine are organic and biodynamic practices. These are concerned with minimising the negative environmental impact of farming and food production and promoting soil…
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Wine Buyers Want a Personal Touch for Subscriptions
Recently, the wine subscription market has seen an increase in demand for a more personalised experience. Subscribers are no longer content with fixed selections and want curated choices that match with their unique palate. In a recent edition of the Subscription Commerce Readiness Report, The Loyalty Factor, PYMNTS Intelligence conducted a survey involving over 2,000…
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Corte Lenguin Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore
I recently had the pleasure of dining at the excellent Mercato Italiano in Bridport, Dorset. It was here that I discovered the Corte Lenguin Valpolicella Ripasso, DOC certified and medium to full-bodied. The blend of Corvina Veronese, Corvinone and Rondinella grapes blends beautifully to create a great flavour. A high rating of 4.0 on Vivino…
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New Wine
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Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Wine: The Bottle Weight Accord
The wine industry is increasingly under scrutiny for its environmental impact, particularly its carbon footprint. A recent report by Dr. Peter Stanbury, prepared for the Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) (pdf), has shed light on the significant but often overlooked aspect of the weight of wine bottles. The report reveals that the single largest source of…
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Rapid Growth of Vineyards Bolsters England’s Agricultural Sector
Vineyards have emerged as the fastest-growing edible agricultural sector in England, according to recent DEFRA statistics, with grapes now constituting 36% of the country’s soft fruit crop, marking a sector growth rate of 21% over the past year. Wines of Great Britain has reported a significant growth in vine plantings by 74% over five years…
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Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Tasting
On Tuesday 10th October I attended the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Trade & Media tasting. The Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG region lies near Venice, in the foothills of the pre-alps. This small area is known for its steep vineyards, which are primarily tended by hand due to the challenging terrain. These labour-intensive practices have…
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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 Wednesday 25 October 2023.
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What is Appellation Marlborough Wine?
Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) is a certification mark signifying a commitment among some winemakers in Marlborough, New Zealand, to uphold high-quality standards and preserve the unique characteristics of wines produced in this region. Initiated and trademark registered in 2018, AMW primarily aimed to safeguard the authenticity, origin and integrity of Marlborough’s popular Sauvignon Blanc. The…
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Crisis Distillation
The Wine Economist is reporting that the concept of crisis distillation is resurfacing in the global wine industry. This practice involves government programmes buying surplus wine to convert it into industrial alcohol, aiming to stabilise wine prices and grower incomes. While it was a common practice in the European Union, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,…
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Blutengarten Riesling
I have just had the pleasure of trying a wine that I wouldn’t have picked up myself due to its very low price, but my wife did, and I must say it was a great surprise. With a 3.9 score on Vivino, this wine punches above its weight. It’s off-dry, making it versatile enough for…
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The French Wine Industry’s Battle Against Climate Change
According to an article in Nature, the French wine industry, a major part of French culture and economy, is grappling with the challenges posed by climate change. With its strict appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) system, which sets rigid rules about geography, grape varieties, and production techniques, the industry faces unique challenges. However, French wine-growers are…
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