Simon Judge
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La Belle Angèle Sauvignon Blanc
La Belle Angèle Sauvignon Blanc comes with an elegant label featuring La Belle Angèle, the beautiful muse of the French Impressionists. It is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc from a number of areas, from the 2025 vintage, with a gentle 12% ABV. In the glass, it has a light gold colour. Served cold, it brings a gooseberry character in both aroma and flavour, fresh and lively. As it warms up, a greener nettle aroma starts to come through, while the flavour shifts towards citrus and a less sweet style of gooseberry. There is a pleasing mouthfeel too, helped along by…
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Delibori Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore
Delibori Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore is the first of a few wines I bought on a recent trip to the Lombardy region of Italy. Lombardy seems flooded with Valpolicella in restaurants, bars and supermarkets, even though it is not actually from Lombardy, but from neighbouring Veneto. Let’s unpick the name of the wine. “Valpolicella” is the wine region, near Verona. “Ripasso” means the wine has been passed again over the leftover grape skins and solids from Amarone or Recioto production. This gives a standard Valpolicella more body, alcohol, colour, tannin and dried-fruit complexity. “Classico” means the grapes come from the…
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Les Jamelles Viognier
Les Jamelles Viognier is produced by Catherine and Laurent Delaunay. The brand was created in 1995 after the couple, both from Burgundian wine backgrounds, became fascinated by the Languedoc’s diversity of terroirs and grape varieties. The winery is based at Monze, in the Corbières area near Carcassonne. This is 100% Viognier, 12.5% alcohol, from the 2024 vintage. In the glass it has a bright yellow colour. Give it a little warmth before drinking, at least 20 minutes, as it really opens up once it is not too cold. There is an intense aroma of apricot and floral character, followed by…
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Ocado Reports Surge in Demand for Mid-Strength Drinks
Harpers is reporting that Ocado says demand for mid-strength alcoholic drinks is rising sharply, with category sales up 71% over the past two years and searches on its website increasing by more than 400%. Mid-strength wine has been the strongest performer, with sales up 151% year on year, while mid-strength beer has recently gained momentum, growing 21% month on month. A survey of 2,180 UK adults, carried out with Clariti in March 2026, found that many consumers are moderating their alcohol intake rather than giving it up entirely. Some 39% of adults are choosing mid-strength drinks more often than a…
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New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026
In late April 2026, I went to Susie and Peter’s New Zealand Wines of the Year tasting in London. For the uninitiated, Susie Barrie MW and Peter Richards MW are a married, UK-based pair of Masters of Wine. They are well known as television and radio presenters, wine writers, event hosts, consultants and podcasters. For this showcase, they had preselected the producers, then spent time last November tasting hundreds of New Zealand wines in order to choose their Wines of the Year. The selection covered a broad range of varieties, regions and price points, with the aim of showcasing modern…
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JP Chenet Colombard Sauvignon
JP Chenet Colombard Sauvignon comes from South-Western France, with a fairly gentle 11% alcohol, from the 2025 vintage. The 3l box is the equivalent of four bottles, in a fridge-friendly format. When it is properly cold, this is really citrusy, almost like a citrus wine, both in the aromatics and, even more so, in the taste. Give it a little time to warm up and it softens nicely, bringing in pear, a bit more sweetness, better length, and a slight tropical twist. It is medium sweet, and for me that means the first taste is great, bright, easy and very…
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Co-op Spring Summer Tasting
At the end of April, I was at Co-op’s Spring/Summer press tasting in London, where 74 wines were being shown. Co-op has a new Head of Wines and Spirits and she shared a few interesting insights with me. Rosé has been big for a while, and it is expected to remain so, particularly among younger drinkers. That was reflected in the line-up, with 14 rosés available to taste. White wines are the next most popular category, followed by reds. Reds, however, are going through something of a moment because of recent duty changes. Producers are increasingly looking at ways to…
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25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s
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 28 April to 3 May 2026. See the recent Sainsbury’s press tasting for tips on what to buy.
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25% Off Wine at Tesco
Tesco has save 25% off wine with Clubcard when you buy 6+ bottles that are £6 and over (£7 in Wales) from 27 April 2026 until 4 May 2026. See the Spring/Summer press tasting for tips on what to buy.
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25% Off Wine at Asda
Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, 6 bottles or more, from 27 April 2026 until 4 May 2026. See the latest press tasting for tips on what to buy.
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Calvet Prestige Sauvignon Blanc Cuvée Fumée
Calvet Prestige Sauvignon Blanc Cuvée Fumée comes from Bordeaux, and Calvet is part of the large Les Grands Chais de France (LGCF) group. The Prestige name was chosen in honour of the very select “Diplôme du Prestige de France”, awarded to Maison Calvet in 1958. Cuvée Fumée is the key phrase here. “Fumée” means “smoked” or “smoky” in French, so “Cuvée Fumée” on a wine label generally translates as a “smoky blend”, although the back label describes it as fresh and oaky. The 2023 vintage comes in at 12% ABV and is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. In the glass…
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London Wine Competition Results
The London Wine Competition has once again highlighted the producers, regions and styles shaping the global wine scene. The 2026 results celebrate wines that combine quality, value and presentation, recognising bottles that are not only expertly made but also commercially compelling. At the top of the list is the 2026 Wine of the Year, Ernest Pinot Noir by Hasher Family Wines from South Africa. Scoring an outstanding 99 points, this 2024 vintage shows the growing strength of South African Pinot Noir on the international stage. Entered in the still wine category, it is made from Pinot Noir, also known as…
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25% Off Wine at Morrisons
Morrisons has 25% discount on 6 or more bottles of wine, More card price, £6 or more until 4 May 2026. See the recent press tasting for my picks.
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The Definitive Champagne Tasting
In April 2026, I went to The Definitive Champagne Tasting in London. Run by the Champagne Agents Association, a UK-based trade organisation representing Champagne importers and agents, the event brought together 70 Champagne houses and hundreds of Champagnes. That may sound like a lot, but there are in fact more than 2000 Champagne houses in France. Having attended last year, I wanted to approach things differently this time. I decided to concentrate on grower Champagnes, meaning producers who both grow their own grapes and make their own wine. I have explained this category in more detail in a separate article.…
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Understanding Grower Champagne
Grower champagne is the term for a bottle whose producer is legally identified in Champagne as an RM, or Récoltant-Manipulant. According to Comité Champagne, an RM is a grower who makes and markets own-label Champagne from grapes sourced exclusively from that grower’s own vineyards. That is different from an NM, or Négociant-Manipulant, which is an individual or company that may buy grapes, musts or wines in order to make Champagne under its own label. In other words, “grower champagne” is not a separate appellation from Champagne itself, it is a producer category within the wider AOC Champagne system. Comité Champagne…
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Cepa Lebrel Crianza
I first came across and recommended this wine at a Lidl press tasting and wanted to try it again in a less rushed setting. The striking thing at that time was how great it was for just £5.79. It is 100% Tempranillo, from the 2022 vintage, with a punchy 15% ABV. Cepa Lebrel is Lidl’s white label brand and the name is used across a range of producers. Even so, there is some real provenance here. The actual producer is Bodegas Isidro Milagro. A big part of the low price comes from the fact that the producer is owned by…
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Petit Pinotage
This wine came to me by accident, it should have been Petit Cabernet Sauvignon, but here is the review anyway. It is from Ken Forrester Wines, right in the heart of Stellenbosch and this is the 2023 vintage. It comes in at a punchy 14%, yet still has an easy-drinking style, which explains the “Petit” in the name. In this case, “Petit” points to a lighter, fresher take on Pinotage, and that is also why it is unoaked. I would give this one 30 minutes to air before drinking. In the glass, it has a deep ruby-purple colour. On the…
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Rapaura Springs Sauvignon Blanc White Edition
Rapaura Springs Sauvignon Blanc White Edition is new and exclusive to Majestic, from one of Marlborough’s most awarded Sauvignon Blanc producers. The symbol on every Rapaura Springs label is a circle of rocks, representing the pure spring in the vineyard. The brand name and label are designed to express the estate’s connection to water flowing from the Southern Alps through underground aquifers into the Rapaura property. Having just tried the excellent Rapaura Springs ‘ROHE’ Sauvignon Blanc at the Majestic press tasting, I was curious to see how this one would compare. This one comes in at 13% ABV and is…
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White Wine Extends Its Lead Over Red
An article on Wine Searcher argues that white wine has overtaken red as the more dynamic part of the market, both culturally and commercially. It says red wine’s long-standing image as the default “serious” wine is fading, while whites are increasingly seen as fresher, lighter and more in tune with how people eat and drink now. Its central point is that this is not just a passing fashion. Drawing on OIV data, the article says red wine’s share of global production fell from about 48 percent in 2000 to roughly 43 percent, while white wine rose and now accounts for…
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Majestic Spring Press Tasting
In mid-April 2026, I was at the Majestic Spring Press Tasting at Vagabond Urban Winery in Canada Water, London, a new venue for Majestic tastings. There were around 100 wines on show with a focus on wines suited to events and entertaining such as weddings, parties, dining and barbecues. As always, Majestic provided the most comprehensive, informative and impressive tasting booklet imaginable, which made navigating the range a pleasure. These are the wines that particularly caught my eye. Prices quoted are for a mixed six, as I honestly cannot see why anyone could walk into Majestic and buy just one…
Pick Lists
Majestic | The Wine Society | Tesco | Waitrose | Sainsbury’s | Morrisons | Co-op | Asda | Aldi | Lidl | £7 and Under | Over £20
Did You Know?
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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