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Simon Judge

  • New Liberty Wines Off-Trade Wine Report

    New Liberty Wines Off-Trade Wine Report

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    If you are reading this as someone who in the wine trade, Liberty Wines has its first Independent Off-Trade Wine Report, highlighting the strength of the independent retail sector, which lies in its diversity, specialisation and flexibility. However, tracking the indie market has been challenging due to a lack of data. To address this, they collaborated with HDI (Hospitality Data Insights) to monitor bank card spending at over 100 leading independent retailers in the UK. While the content of the report is confidential, a post on their Instagram feed revealed the report contains information on changes in consumer behaviour and…

  • Sainsbury’s Autumn Winter Press Tasting

    Sainsbury’s Autumn Winter Press Tasting

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    Sainsbury’s Autumn Winter 2024 Press Tasting, in London, in October offered an impressive range of wines, particularly sparkling ones, that seem perfectly suited for the upcoming holiday season. Here are the highlights and my notes on what stood out for me: Louis Latour Mâcon-Villages 2023 £16 13%I’m typically not drawn to Chardonnay, but this one was exceptional. Sourced from 30+ year-old vines, it had a pale yellow hue with a fresh, floral and honey bouquet. The taste offered hints of honeysuckle with a rich, rounded and slightly musky character. This great wine will be available from the 27th of October…

  • Waitrose Autumn Tasting

    Waitrose Autumn Tasting

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    In October 2024, I had the pleasure of attending the Waitrose Autumn Wines, Beers and Spirits Press Tasting. The showcase featured over 125 wines, mostly available in Waitrose stores with a select few only available online at Waitrose Cellar. Waitrose have launched five new offerings in the Loved & Found wine range, including Aranel, Piedirosso, Sousão, Piquepoul Noir, and Terret Blanc. Champagne continues to surge in popularity, with Waitrose outperforming the grocery market by 3.5% in value. The supermarket also dominates the Vintage Champagne category, having a 92% value share year-to-date, outpacing the market by an impressive 25%. Waitrose has…

  • Finest Côtes de Provence Rosé

    Finest Côtes de Provence Rosé

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    This wine, produced by Castel Frères, stood out to me during a Tesco Summer tasting and I even highlighted it in a roundup at the time. However, it wasn’t until recently that I had the chance to explore this wine in more detail. Now, I’m convinced this is my top pick for the best quality Provence rosé for the price, this year. Great Provence rosés can be quite pricey, often starting at around £15. Despite the cost, many tend to lack flavour, as confirmed by Patrick Schmitt MW during a masterclass I attended. He said that the pressing of the…

  • Understanding Pinot Grigio

    Understanding Pinot Grigio

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    Pinot Grigio, also known as Pinot Gris, has become one of the world’s most popular grapes for white wines. This versatile grape variety produces wines ranging from light and crisp to rich and full-bodied, appealing to a wide range of consumers. Despite the often disdainful attitude towards it from wine aficionados, Pinot Grigio has established itself as one of most commercially important and widely popular grape varieties, offering great taste at a relatively low cost. The US imports 37% of World production and the UK is second place at 27%. Its success is particularly notable in the United Kingdom, where…

  • Errazuriz Max Carménère

    Errazuriz Max Carménère

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    The Errazuriz Max Carménère is a wine that honours its heritage, named after the founder Maximiano Errázuriz, and made from the challenging yet rewarding 2022 season, one of the driest in the last century. This resulted in a more concentrated wine, rich in both colour and flavour, which is immediately noticeable in its vibrant deep violet hue. The blend is predominantly Carmenère (85.5%), with Syrah (10.7%) and Petit Verdot (3.8%) adding further complexity. Aged for 12 months in a combination of new and old French oak barrels, the wine offers a balance between fruit and oak. There are aromas of…

  • Hancock & Hancock Tempranillo

    Hancock & Hancock Tempranillo

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    I decided to try Hancock & Hancock’s 2021 Tempranillo because Tempranillo is more commonly associated with Spain’s Rioja region, not Australia in this case. However, the grape is increasingly thriving in Australia’s warm climates, including McLaren Vale. The Hancock brothers, Chris and John, established this label in 2015, with Chris bringing decades of experience from his work at Rosemount Estate and Robert Oatley who distribute this wine into the UK. The wine is made up of 85.3% Tempranillo, with the remaining 14.7% comprised of other varietals. After fermentation, it was aged for 12 months in old oak barrels The wine…

  • Lidl Winter Wine Tours

    Lidl Winter Wine Tours

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    In October 2024, I went to a Lidl press wine tasting event in London, which showcased an interesting selection of wines set to be introduced for the upcoming Winter and Christmas Wine Tours as well as many from the core range. Some of the wines were part of Lidl’s Wine Tour series, where wines are displayed in-store in rustic wooden crates, each labelled with ratings to guide tasters. The concept of these Wine Tours is that the wines are available for around two months, giving customers the chance to sample and purchase them while stocks last. However, the most popular…

  • Wines of Greece

    Wines of Greece

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    In October 2024, I went to a Wines of Greece tasting event in London where there were 127 wines from various regions of Greece. This trade and press event provided an rare opportunity to sample wines predominantly made from grape varietals unfamiliar to me, which added a layer of intrigue to the experience. Here are the wines I liked most from the tasting: Kir Yianni Assyrtiko The North 2023 (13.5%) Assyrtiko is traditionally the star white grape of Santorini, but this wine is produced from grapes transplanted to the northern region of Amyndeon. Aroma wise, it offers crisp aromas of…

  • Simply Italian Great Wines Tasting

    Simply Italian Great Wines Tasting

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    In early October 2024, I had the pleasure of attending the Simply Italian Great Wines Trade Tasting, an event with many exciting wines yet to be available in the UK. For importers and retailers alike, this event offered numerous opportunities to discover new offerings that could bring something fresh to the British market. The tasting started with a Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC Masterclass, expertly hosted by Patrick Schmitt MW. The masterclass looked deep into the origins, perceptions, geography, climate and styles of Pinot Grigio, including Rosé variants. Some insights from this session have become part of a wider article…

  • Change of Scotland’s Minimum Unit Pricing

    Change of Scotland’s Minimum Unit Pricing

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    Drinks Retailing is reporting that the cost per unit of alcohol in Scotland has risen from 50p to 65p, meaning that alcoholic beverages must now be sold at a higher minimum price based on their alcohol content. A 13% ABV bottle of wine will rise to £6.34. This increase in Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) has been met with criticism from the drinks industry, who argue that it will hurt both producers and consumers, especially during a period of financial strain. They also claim that there is little evidence the policy significantly improves health outcomes and note that some other regions…

  • Waitrose Launches UK’s First Major Supermarket Cork Recycling Trial

    Waitrose Launches UK’s First Major Supermarket Cork Recycling Trial

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    Waitrose has announced it will be the first major UK supermarket to trial cork recycling, beginning on 7th October in seven stores, including Salisbury, Saltash, Lymington, Bath, Godalming, Truro, and Maidenhead (when it reopens in November). Customers will be encouraged to recycle natural corks at collection points, with the material being processed by Amorim, the world’s largest cork processing group. Waitrose customers use nearly 25 million natural corks annually, which currently end up in landfill due to the lack of a specific recycling stream. The trial aims to reduce waste and improve sustainability, with the potential for expanding to more…

  • Understanding Greek Wines

    Understanding Greek Wines

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    Greek wines have a rich history dating back thousands of years, with a diverse array of grape varieties, wine regions and styles that are gaining increasing recognition on the global stage. White wines make up about 60% of total production, while red wines account for about 40%. Greece has a significant number of wineries, ranging from small family-owned operations to larger commercial producers. There are more than 1200 wineries and 180,000 growers spread across the country’s various wine regions. Greek wine exports to the UK have been growing in recent years, as British consumers become more interested in exploring diverse…

  • The Wine Box Porto

    The Wine Box Porto

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    In September 2024, my wife and I spent a week in Portugal on an organised tour, exploring the regions between Lisbon and Porto. Throughout the trip, we drank wine in various places, but most of it was average and unremarkable. We were told that the Portuguese, who tend to favour beer over wine, export the majority of their wine abroad. As a result, restaurant wines, though very affordable (usually €4 to €5 for a large glass), offered limited selection and weren’t particularly memorable. To truly experience quality wine in Portugal, you have to seek out specialist places and pay a…

  • Porto World of Wine

    Porto World of Wine

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    In September 2024, my wife and I took a tour to Portugal, including both Lisbon and Porto. During our time in Porto, we had the chance to explore the new World of Wine (WoW), which had opened since our last visit. WoW emerged following a change in regulations that no longer required port wine to be shipped from the Gaia area of Porto. This shift allowed for the renovation of the old port wine cellars, transforming the district into a new cultural hub. WoW now boasts seven museums, including the Wine Experience, Chocolate Story, Pink Palace, Porto Region Across the…

  • 25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

    25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

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    Sainsbury’s has 25% off wine, sparkling and Champagne, 6 bottles or more, £6 or more, from 21 September 2024 to 28 September 2024. See the Sainsbury’s tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • Tesco Autumn Winter Tasting

    Tesco Autumn Winter Tasting

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    In September 2024, I had the opportunity to attend a Tesco Autumn Winter Tasting event, where I got to look at the exciting changes in their wine selection. Tesco has just completed its most significant update to their wine range in 15 years, introducing 130 new products. Notably, there’s been an increase in the number of premium wines on offer. These changes come against the backdrop of a downturn in wine sales across the industry. However, Tesco has chosen to see this challenge as an opportunity. Many wine producers who previously avoided supplying supermarkets are now more open to doing…

  • Majestic Autumn Winter Tasting

    Majestic Autumn Winter Tasting

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    In September 2024, I attended the Majestic Press Tasting event, which showcased 109 wines from their Autumn/Winter collection. The selection included new arrivals, fine wines and special parcels curated for the upcoming Christmas season. It was a comprehensive display, offering a wide range of styles and price points, as well as Majestic’s recently updated off-the-beaten-track range. One notable highlight was the launch of a new Majestic brand, ‘The Oath’, created in collaboration with Château Tanunda. Among the many great wines on offer, these stood out as particularly memorable: (All prices reflect a mix 6 discount) Ayala ‘Le Blanc de Blancs’…

  • 25% Off Wine at Tesco

    25% Off Wine at Tesco

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    Tesco has save 25% off wine with Clubcard when you buy 6+ bottles that are over £5.50 (£7 in Wales), from 17 September 2024 until 23 September 2024. See the Tesco tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • The Grape Unveiling

    The Grape Unveiling

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    Hallgarten & Novum Wines is one of the UK’s leading specialist wine merchants, boasting over 90 years of experience in the industry. As a renowned wine wholesaler, supplier and importer, they focus on distributing premium wines to the on-trade (hospitality) and off-trade sectors (supermarkets, independents). In September 2024, I attended The Grape Unveiling in London, hosted by Hallgarten & Novum Wines. The tasting featured over 130 wines, including selections from some exciting new producers. It was a bustling event and the turnout was so large that it was challenging to capture photos of the bottles. However, here are the wines…

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Did You Know?

Nearly a third (32%) of UK consumers say they have already used AI for alcoholic drinks advice. More

Among socially active wine buyers, 37% have bought a wine recommended online. More

In 2026, 72% of consumers now think wine knowledge is essential to appreciation, up 20 percentage points on 2025. More

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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