Simon Judge
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Espartero Reserva Rioja
This 2017 Reserva, from Bodegas Riovinsa, previously won a bronze medal from the International Wine Challenge, where it was described as having notes of herbs, tea leaves and red cherries. It was also a Bronze Winner at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards. Since its establishment in 1926, the winery has been operated by three…
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Chilled Red Wines Are Reshaping Trends
The UK recently experienced one of its wettest Julys on record and this has had a surprising impact on wine sales. Waitrose, a prominent supermarket chain, has reported a significant increase in red wine purchases, particularly those that can be enjoyed chilled. The trend has even found its way onto social media platforms like TikTok,…
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Understanding Biodynamic Wine
Biodynamic vineyards view farming holistically, seeing the farm as a closed ecosystem where everything is interconnected. It goes beyond organic, emphasising the connection between the farmer, the vine, the earth and even celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and stars. This might sound unconventional, but since its inception in the 1920s by Austrian scientist Rudolph…
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Passo del Cardinale Primitivo di Manduria
I recently had the pleasure of trying a Primitivo that has been given an award by Gambero Rosso magazine, a global authority on Italian food, wine and travel. With a rating of 4.1 on Vivino and an impressive 4.3 for its latest 2022 vintage, this wine piqued my interest. Upon tasting, I found it to…
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Love The Wine You’re With
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A Gradual UK Duty Rate Rise
If you’ve been visiting the wine shops over the past month, you may have noticed something peculiar. Despite the recent duty hike, not all wine prices have gone up. In some instances, like at Asda, prices initially remained stable, with a few wines experiencing a, greater than duty change, surge much more recently. Meanwhile, The…
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Montagne Saint Emilion
Montagne Saint Emilion, produced by Armand Chaperon, has garnered attention with its impressive awards, including the IWSC Bronze Medal, IWC Bronze Medal and Decanter World Wine Awards Bronze in 2023. With such high expectations, it’s easy to see why I was keen to give it a try. The wine was even compared to the much-admired…
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Woman Survives Five Days Stranded in Australian Bush by Drinking Wine
In a remarkable tale of survival, Lillian Ip, a 48-year-old woman, endured five days stranded in the dense bushland of Victoria, Australia. Setting off on holiday, Ip took a wrong turn and found herself at a dead end. While attempting to turn her car around, she became stuck in mud. With no mobile coverage to…
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Appassimento
An Italian winemaking technique where grapes are partially dried before fermentation. This process concentrates the sugars and flavours in the grapes, resulting in wines that are richer, more robust and often higher in alcohol content. The technique is most commonly associated with Italy, particularly for wines like Amarone and some styles of Valpolicella. The length…
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Bosman Nero
In 2021, South Africa introduced Bosman Nero, its first Nero d’Avola, a collaboration with actor and filmmaker Thapelo Mokoena, who is a shareholder in the project. Crafted by winemaker Corlea Fourie, this wine is made from Nero d’Avola, a vine chosen for thriving in sun-rich, water-scarce African soil. With a commendable 3.9 score on Vivino…
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Wine Escape Murder Mystery
Maidstone, Kent is set to host an immersive dining experience that blends the excitement of escape room games. This special event, organised by Wine Escape, is scheduled for September 30, 2023 and promises to transport guests to the opulent era of the 1920s at the Hawker Wine Estate. The setting for this thrilling evening is…
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Wine Tasters’ Sensory Response to Flower Arrangements
Dr Heber Rodrigues led a study from the UK Centre for Excellence on Wine Education, Training and Research at Plumpton College in East Sussex. The research, published in the International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, explored the intertwined history of flower and wine arrangements. The study aimed to understand how the colour composition of…
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What is Organic Wine?
As consumers become more conscious of what they consume and its impact on the environment, organic wine has become more popular. But what exactly sets organic wine apart from its regular counterpart? And is it truly better for you? The Difference Between Organic Wine and Regular Wine The primary difference between organic and regular wine…
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Unprecedented Declines in Chilean Wine Exports Including to UK
Chile has experienced a significant drop in wine exports during the first half of 2023. The decline amounted to 20 million boxes and 584 million dollars, marking a 24% decrease in both volume and value compared to the same timeframe in 2022. All ten of Chile’s primary wine-consuming markets have seen a decline in wine…
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Morandé ‘One to One’ Gewürztraminer
Morandé was the first winery in the Chile Casablanca Valley and were the first to receive sustainable certification in Chile. Their One to One Gewürztraminer is different in that each bottle originates from a single vine, thus explaining the product’s name. The word ‘Gewürz’ means ‘spice’ in German, reflecting the wine’s unique flavour profile, which…
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UK Wine Regulation to Change
The UK government recently closed its Smarter Regulation: Wine Reforms Consultation on 21st July 2023. The consultation aimed to simplify the existing 400-page rulebook governing wine production and trade in Great Britain. The current regulations are seen as overly complex and hindering innovation, including practices that could reduce carbon emissions. The proposed reforms aim to…
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25% off Wine at Waitrose
Waitrose has 25% OFF 6 BOTTLES or more of wine and Champagne priced £5 or over until 29/8/23.
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Minerality
Minerality is a term used to describe a set of characteristics in wine that are reminiscent of flavours, aromas, or sensations that evoke wet stones, flint, chalk or other mineral-like qualities. The source of taste of minerality in wine is a complex and debated subject. Some believe it comes directly from the minerals in the…
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Majestic’s Organic Wine Sales Up 22%
Harpers is reporting that Majestic has experienced a 22% increase in organic wine sales in the first five months of its financial year compared to the same period last year. This growth is attributed to a shift in consumer preferences towards wines with positive environmental credentials. In response to the rising demand, Majestic has expanded…
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25% off at Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s has 25% off until 27/08/2023.
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