Simon Judge

  • You Look Like I Need Wine

    You Look Like I Need Wine

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    Simon Judge

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  • Italy’s Wine Classifications

    Italy’s Wine Classifications

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    The top of Italian wine classification is the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). Wines under this category have undergone the most stringent regulations. They come from precisely delineated regions and have passed a meticulous taste examination and chemical tests. The regulations encompass aspects ranging from grape varieties and wine production methods to specific…

  • Blind Tasting

    Blind Tasting

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    Blind tasting refers to the practice of tasting wines without knowing their identity. The bottles are usually covered or the labels are hidden, so tasters have no information about the grape variety, region, producer, or vintage. This method is often employed to prevent any preconceived notions or biases from influencing the taster’s judgement. Blind tasting…

  • New Free Rioja Wine Academy Course

    New Free Rioja Wine Academy Course

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    The Rioja Wine Academy, backed by the Rioja DOCa Control Board, has launched a free introductory online course called Rioja Enthusiast. This course is the academy’s first aimed at consumers and wine lovers with no prior knowledge of wine. The course covers the fundamentals of Rioja wine in just four hours, including topics like reading…

  • Portuguese Wines to Try

    Portuguese Wines to Try

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    An article by Nicky Rampley-Clarke in the Evening Standard looks into the diverse world of Portuguese wines which come from 55 different regions and almost 200 indigenous grape varieties. The most well-known regions include Douro, Minho, and Dão, each offering unique flavours and characteristics. Portuguese wines are generally made from indigenous grapes, giving them a…

  • Bottle Shock

    Bottle Shock

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    Simon Judge

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    Bottle shock is a temporary condition that can occur in wine when it has been shaken or subjected to drastic temperature changes. This can happen during shipping, handling or even after bottling. The agitation can disrupt the wine’s molecular structure, leading to a loss of flavour, aroma and overall quality. The symptoms of bottle shock…

  • Stellenrust Stellenbosch Manor

    Stellenrust Stellenbosch Manor

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    Simon Judge

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    Not to be accused of only posting positive reviews, here’s an exception that left me rather disappointed. This particular bottle had previously received a high score of 95 from Decanter, a DDWA gold medal and also a 3.7 rating on Vivino. Made from the Cinsault grape, it’s meant to be a lighter wine, akin to…

  • Fantini Italian Wine Tasting

    Fantini Italian Wine Tasting

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    On the 29th September I had the pleasure of attending an Italian wine tasting at Morrish & Banham‘s shop in Bridport, Dorset. It was hosted by Illaria Zenaro of Fantini in Italy who are represented in the UK by Liberty Wines. Fantini are unusual for an Italian producer in that the majority, 95%, of their…

  • Cornucopia of Taste

    Cornucopia of Taste

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  • Beware of Decoy Effects When Buying Wine

    Beware of Decoy Effects When Buying Wine

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    New research titled Decoy Effects in a Massive Real-World Shopping Dataset focuses on the impact of ‘decoy’ options on consumer choices, specifically in the context of wine purchases in the UK. The study examined a large dataset of 3.6 million wine purchases made by 755,158 unique customers over a one-month period. In the situation where…

  • Reductive

    Reductive

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    A reductive wine is usually a faulty wine that has been exposed to too little oxygen during its production or storage. This lack of oxygen can lead to the development of undesirable aromas and flavours. In reductive wines, you might detect sulphur-like smells, which can range from struck match and rubber to rotten eggs or…

  • Spain’s Historic Low Wine Harvest

    Spain’s Historic Low Wine Harvest

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    Spain’s wine industry is grappling with its smallest harvest ever recorded, largely due to a series of extreme weather events. The 2023 grape harvest has been severely impacted by droughts, hail storms and heat waves, affecting vineyards across the country. Spain is expected to produce only 34.25 million hectolitres of grapes this year, representing a…

  • Hatch Mansfield Autumn Tasting

    Hatch Mansfield Autumn Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    Hatch Mansfield are an agency specialising in wines made by independent, family owned winemakers. The Autumn tasting on 26th September 2023 included wines from Champagne Taittinger, Louis Jadot, Terroirs et Talents, Joseph Mellot, M.CHAPOUTIER, C.V.N.E., Gaja, Esporão, Errazuriz, Arboleda, Seña & Viñedo, Caliterra, Zuccardi, Robert Oatley, Cherubino, Villa Maria, Esk Valley, Kleine Zalze & Visio…

  • 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 £6 or over from 27 September to 3 October inclusive.

  • Indulge

    Indulge

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  • 25% off Wine at Sainsbury’s

    25% off Wine at Sainsbury’s

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    Sainsbury’s has 25% off wine From 27th September 2023 until and including 4th October 2023.

  • Expressions Negroamaro

    Expressions Negroamaro

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    This is an all new, 2022 vintage, organic and vegan wine from Marks and Spencer. Produced by the talented Alessandro Michelon of Orion Wines, this wine doesn’t yet have any reviews anywhere. It’s a medium to full-bodied wine, rich in flavour and character. Blackcurrant, liquorice and black pepper. Almost meaty with a long and lingering…

  • Scots to Be Forced to Pay at Least £6 a Bottle

    Scots to Be Forced to Pay at Least £6 a Bottle

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    The Telegraph is reporting that The Scottish National Party (SNP) has announced plans to increase the minimum price for a bottle of wine to £6. The decision comes in the wake of a surge in alcohol-related deaths and harm in Scotland, which have reached their highest levels in 14 years. The SNP’s drugs and alcohol…

  • 25% off Wine at Asda

    25% off Wine at Asda

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    Asda has 25% off before until 11:59pm on Sunday 1/10/2023.

  • Champagne Masterclass with Nicolas Jaeger

    Champagne Masterclass with Nicolas Jaeger

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    On 11th December 2023, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, there’s an online Champagne masterclass for Wine Society Members. This session features Alfred Gratien’s chef de cave, Nicolas Jaeger, who will be joined by the Wine Society’s Champagne buyer Sarah Knowles MW and Ewan Murray from the Tastings Team. Together, they will discuss the various Champagne…

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