Simon Judge

  • Renewed Curiosity of Awarded Wines

    Renewed Curiosity of Awarded Wines

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    Simon Judge

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    Before I became so deeply involved with wine through this site, I used to rely heavily on awards as a shortcut when choosing new wines. They felt like an easy, reassuring way to make decisions without having to look too deeply into the specifics. When I began mentioning wine awards more actively on social media…

  • Wine e-Commerce on the Rise

    Wine e-Commerce on the Rise

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    I noticed a trend, at the London Wine Fair, that producers are increasingly selling directly via their own and wine platforms, and this shift is supported by recent data from IWSR, which projects that the global online alcohol market will exceed $36 billion by 2028. According to IWSR’s Ecommerce Strategic Study, covering 18 key markets…

  • Exceptional by Asda Grüner Veltliner

    Exceptional by Asda Grüner Veltliner

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    This Austrian white caught my attention at the Asda Spring 2025 press tasting. It stood out immediately in a strong line-up and I was keen to take a closer look before it hits the shelves. It’s already just picked up a Bronze at the IWSC and it’s easy to see why. Made by Markus Huber…

  • The Real Reasons Why Gen Z Drinks Less

    The Real Reasons Why Gen Z Drinks Less

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    The new free report by Rabo Research explores why Generation Z appears to be consuming significantly less alcohol. Although this report is based on data from the United States, its insights are globally relevant. The cultural, technological, and economic forces shaping Generation Z’s drinking habits are not confined to national borders. Similar patterns are observable…

  • Wine in Pubs is an Opportunity

    Wine in Pubs is an Opportunity

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    Simon Judge

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    I don’t visit UK pubs all that often, but when I do, I rarely find the wine experience enjoyable. Over the past year alone, I’ve been served red wine that had been stored next to warm lights, had small glasses filled nearly to the brim on multiple occasions and even came across a pub that…

  • Moillard Thomas Santenay Rouge

    Moillard Thomas Santenay Rouge

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    Simon Judge

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    Moillard Thomas Santenay Rouge 2022 is a 100% Pinot Noir from Burgundy, aged for 12 months in oak barrels. It’s a wine that impresses straight from the bottle, needing no time to open up. For it’s vintage, the light colour shows a very slight touch of browning, correctly suggesting it leans towards a savoury style….

  • Catnip Wine for Cats

    Catnip Wine for Cats

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    Simon Judge

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    A New Zealand start-up, Muttley’s Estate, is aiming to turn the country into a commercial catnip producer with the development of a shelf-stable pet wine made from the herb. Catnip, which has been in New Zealand since 1870, is known to improve the mood of most cats and help ease anxiety in dogs. With rising…

  • La Belle Angèle Rosé

    La Belle Angèle Rosé

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    La Belle Angèle Rosé takes its name from a figure of the early 20th century, a muse of the French Impressionists whose charm and elegance inspired many. Produced by La Belle Angèle Wines in Nuits-Saint-Georges, France, the bottle itself reflects a refined aesthetic and the producer’s website is very well presented – a rare case…

  • Wildstone Roussanne

    Wildstone Roussanne

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    Simon Judge

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    From the Chilean producer Luis Felipe Edwards, Wildstone is a wine that pays tribute to the rugged stone that emerges untamed from the landscape, carving its own way through plains and forests of Chile itself. The grapes for this white come from the Colchagua Coast, an area increasingly recognised for producing distinctive wines. I first…

  • Risks Undermining EPR Goals

    Risks Undermining EPR Goals

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    Simon Judge

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    At the London Wine Fair on 21 May 2025, Harshal Gore from PackUK, an arm of Defra, provided an update on the ongoing developments around Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). While acknowledging EPR as strategically sound, Gore admitted the scheme has suffered repeated setbacks. He pointed out that 2025 has marked significant progress, with the establishment…

  • Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace

    Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace

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    Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace is made from 75% Pinot Blanc and 25% Pinot Gris from Alsace in France. This non-vintage wine sits at 12% ABV and undergoes its second fermentation in bottle, in the same way as Champagne, and is aged for 18 months on its lees. I first discovered it at the Sainsbury’s…

  • My Top Wines at Any Price

    My Top Wines at Any Price

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    Simon Judge

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    This article is a companion piece to my earlier post on the top wines by value. While much of my website focuses on affordable wines and highlighting the best value options, this post takes a different approach. I regularly attend tastings focused on specific countries or appellations, not only to discover under-valued gems but also…

  • Definition Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon

    Definition Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon

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    Simon Judge

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    I first came across this wine last year when it was announced as a new wine at a Majestic press tasting. Since then, I’ve purchased it twice and had the chance to spend a bit more time with it, getting to understand it better on each occasion. The wine is made by Kanonkop for Majestic…

  • 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 for Nectar loyalty card holders, sparkling and Champagne, 6 bottles or more, £6 or more (£7 in Wales), from 21 May 2025 to 31 May 2025. Excludes Sainsbury’s Locals. See the latest Sainsbury’s press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • 25% Off Wine at Asda

    25% Off Wine at Asda

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    Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, 6 bottles or more, from 22 May 2025 until 26 May 2025. See the latest press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • IWC Results Announced

    IWC Results Announced

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    The International Wine Challenge (IWC) results are out. The IWC has reported that the quality of wines submitted in its latest competition has reached new levels. Despite challenges posed by climate change, such as erratic weather patterns and reduced yields, renowned wine regions and producers continue to deliver exceptional wines. Notable names like Maison Albert…

  • 25% Off Wine at Waitrose

    25% Off Wine at Waitrose

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    Waitrose has 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced between £5 and £100 from 21 May to 3 June 2025 inclusive. See the recent press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • London Wine Fair 2025

    London Wine Fair 2025

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    I visited the London Wine Fair 2025 in May 2025. The event featured 433 exhibitors showcasing an impressive 3,213 products. There were prominent, dedicated pavilions representing France, Italy, Romania, Japan, Greece, Macedonia and Georgia. Each of these had clearly made a strong effort to stand out, with Romania, Japan, Greece, Macedonia and Georgia in particular…

  • 25% Off Wine at Morrisons

    25% Off Wine at Morrisons

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    Simon Judge

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    Morrisons has 25% discount on 6 or more bottles of wine, More card price, £6 or more from 20 May 2025 until 25 May 2025. See the recent press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • 25% Off Wine at Tesco

    25% Off Wine at Tesco

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    Simon Judge

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    Tesco has save 25% off wine with Clubcard when you buy 6+ bottles that are £6 and over (£7 in Wales), from 20 May 2025 until 26 May 2025. See the recent Tesco tasting and Picks for tips on what to buy.

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