Simon Judge
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Sevenly Sauvignon Blanc and Sevenly Rose
I haven’t tried these but thought I’d post quickly as it’s a huge offer that’s sure not to last. Invivo X Sevenly Sauvignon Blanc and Invivo X Sevenly Rose are only £2.63, reduced from £8 at Sainsbury’s. Invivo Sevenly is low alcohol 7%. Looking at other offers, I also found Marlborough Heartland Sauvignon Blanc at £7.50 (was £10) and Sainsbury’s Muscadet de Sevre et Maine at £10 (was £12.50) that I did try and single out at the recent Sainsbury’s press tasting.
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25% Off Wine at Tesco
Tesco has save 25% off wine with Clubcard when you buy 3+ bottles, from 30 July 2024 until 5 August 2024. Take care when purchasing because, unlike the usual 6+ promotion, it doesn’t include all bottles over £5.50 (£7 in Wales). However, I have examined the Tesco web site and some bottles are on double promotion and have money off as well as the 25%: Tesco Finest Rioja Reserva, normally £10, £3 off + 25% off = £5.25Tesco Finest Ribera Del Duero, normally £12, £2 off + 25% off = £7.50Tesco Finest Cotes De Gascogne, normally £7.50, £1.25 off +…
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Los Tontos Sabios
Los Tontos Sabios is a quirky and intriguing red ‘field blend’ crafted from organic grapes. This wine, from the La Mancha region of Spain, is a harmonious mix of native Spanish grape varieties, all grown in the same field and fermented together. The specific grapes are not disclosed, which adds an element of mystery to this 2021 vintage with a 13.5% ABV. Upon first tasting, I found it challenging to categorise, but soon realised the key is to appreciate it for what it is. It is ruby/purplish in colour and islight to medium bodied. It has a strong cherry flavour,…
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Wine and Health
Recent declines in wine consumption have been linked to growing public health concerns, particularly those raised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) who have increasingly voiced concerns about alcohol consumption, culminating in a statement declaring that there is “no safe level” of alcohol consumption. This message reflects the influence of public health campaigns and some non-governmental organisations advocating for temperance, which has sparked considerable debate. Remember also, that this is the same WHO that had serious failures during the Covid pandemic. As someone who implicitly promotes wine, it would be remiss of me not to address the relationship between wine…
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Mucho Mas Sparkling
My wife picked up Mucho Mas Sparkling when it was on offer, demonstrating her eye for the unusual and unique. This intriguing sparkling wine, usually found on the Prosecco shelf, stands out by being Spanish rather than Italian and isn’t Cava. The Mucho Mas brand, created around 2017 by Félix Solís, one of the world’s largest wine companies, is positioned in the sub-£7 price bracket in the UK market, making it an affordable choice. Made by winemaker Carlos Villarraso, Mucho Mas Sparkling is a blend of Chardonnay and Viura, the latter typically found in White Rioja. This wine features a…
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Villa Vito Pinot Grigio
I don’t usually buy Pinot Grigio, as most of it is mass-produced, of average quality and has a mediocre taste. However, according to Bibendum, it’s the most popular wine on trade, in hospitality venues. So, when I was recently tasked with selecting some wines for a gathering, I felt compelled to include a Pinot Grigio since it is so well known. Choosing the right Pinot Grigio was a bit of a challenge, but I opted to shop at Majestic this time and selected the Villa Vito Pinot Grigio 2023. Majestic’s buyers tasted more than fifty Pinot Grigio before settling on…
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Rosemount Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Having initially enjoyed the Rosemount Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 during a press tasting at the Asda Spring Summer Showcase, I decided to purchase a bottle to, spend more time with it and see how it fares in a different setting. To test it further, I paired it with beef and compared it side by side with another value Cabernet Sauvignon I know better. While I still like this wine, I should say it diverges from the typical Cabernet Sauvignon profile. Usually, a Cabernet Sauvignon is characterised by notes of blackcurrant, spice, tobacco, wood and vanilla. However, the Rosemount offers a…
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25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s has 25% off wine, sparkling and Champagne, 6 bottles or more, £6 or more, from 24 July 2024 to 30 July 2024. See the Sainsbury’s 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 24 July 2024 until 11:59pm on 28 July 2024. See the Spring Summer 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 over £5.50 (£7 in Wales), from 23 July 2024 until 29 July 2024. See the Tesco tasting for tips on what to buy.
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WineGB Awards 2024 Trophy Winners
At this year’s WineGB Awards, wines from 13 counties won trophies, with a record number of Gold medals awarded. The ceremony was held on 19 July at The Drapers’ Hall in London. Kent’s Chapel Down was the standout winner, claiming Supreme Champion, Top Sparkling Wine, Best Prestige Cuvée, the South East Trophy, Best Chardonnay, Joint Top Still Wine, and Best Sustainable Wine for various wines. The Trophies: Supreme ChampionTop Sparkling WineBest Prestige Cuvée Chapel Down Kit’s Coty Coeur de Cuvée 2016, Kent Joint Top Still Wine Chapel Down Kit’s Coty Chardonnay 2021, KentVagabond Wines Solena NV, London Best Red Pinot…
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The Controversy of Terroir in Wine
The French term ‘terroir’, often bandied about by winemakers, sommeliers and marketers, refers to the unique environmental factors that impart distinctive characteristics to wine. Terroir encompasses a myriad of factors including the soil, climate, topography and even the local flora and fauna, all of which interact with the grapevines. It is this intricate blend of natural elements that is believed to shape the flavour, aroma and texture of the wine produced. In essence, terroir is about the sense of place that a particular wine embodies, making it distinct from wines produced elsewhere. Despite the romantic allure of terroir, its scientific…
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Marques de Los Rios Rioja Gran Reserva
I picked this up on a whim mainly because it was on offer and I’m glad I did. Initially, I was slightly concerned because the cashier hit the bottle extremely hard to remove the security tag, seriously damaging the foil. However, my worries went away once I tasted it. This 2014 Rioja, with an ABV of 14%, includes a touch of Graciano added to the Tempranillo, enhancing its complexity. It has the typical Rioja nose but with a pleasant, slightly more, woody character. The dark fruit and plums come through beautifully, complemented by subtle notes of tobacco. It also has…
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Final Wine Recommendations
Fiona Beckett, the Guardian’s wine critic for nearly 14 years, is stepping down to pursue other interests, mainly travel, as she approaches her 76th birthday. Reflecting on changes since she began in 2010, Fiona notes her shift towards lighter, fresher wines, the rise of natural and orange wines and the increasing quality of English and Greek wines. She encourages readers to be adventurous in their wine choices and kind to her successor. Beckett will continue writing on her website and Substack. (I took the above photo, heavily cropped, at a recent M&S press tasting) Six wines Fiona recommends:
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Global Syrah Masters 2024
The Global Syrah Masters is an annual event celebrating the distinguished grape variety, Syrah. This year saw a high number of wines awarded with Silver, Gold and Master medals. Syrah’s traditional home is in the northern Rhône valley, but it has spread to southern regions and beyond, including Australia and New Zealand, with notable entries from South Africa, Greece, and Chile. Australia remains a significant producer, with wines exhibiting flavours of brambles, blueberry, ripe plum, and black pepper. The competition highlighted the high quality of Australian Shiraz across various price points, particularly excelling in the £30–£50 range. Australian producers like…
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25% off Wine at Morrisons
Morrisons 25% discount on 6 or more bottles of wine, £5.50 or more, until 21 July 2024. Check very carefully, there a few wines that aren’t included.
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Understanding Light Strike in Wine Degradation
Sometimes, wine doesn’t quite live up to expectations. I’ve encountered this when comparing wine at tastings to subsequent purchases, more so with rosé and white wines. After looking into this deeper, I suspect one culprit might be light strike. One trend in the wine industry is the increased use of white flint bottles. These bottles are praised for their aesthetic appeal and their ability to showcase the colour of the wine inside. Made from high-quality, clear glass, white flint bottles are renowned for their clarity and brilliance. The term ‘flint’ comes from the use of flint stones in the glass…
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Ramón Bilbao Rosé 2023
Ramón Bilbao, well-known for its presence in both Rioja and Rueda, produces this Ramón Bilbao Rosé 2023. This wine is made with the aim of reviving a classic Rioja Alta wine tradition. Winemaker Rodolfo Bastida has focused on Rioja rosados, specifically ‘clarete’, a style that has been a staple in the restaurants around his hometown of Haro for decades. This rosé is made from a blend of 80% Garnacha and 20% Viura grapes and has an ABV of 12.5%. It has a light amber colour, with a nose that hints of grass and pear. On the palate, these aromas carry…
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El Duque De Miralta Rioja Reserva
This 2019 Rioja Reserva is made by winemaker César Fernández at El Coto. The Tempranillo grapes are sourced from the three prestigious areas of Rioja, Alavesia, Alta and Oriental, ensuring a rich and diverse flavour profile. The wine is aged for 24 months in American oak barrels, which imparts a distinct and inviting aroma of oak that is very aromatic. I first encountered this wine during the M&S Spring Tasting, and it caught my attention. I often buy wines I have previously enjoyed at tastings to see how they hold up on sale. I am pleased to find that this…
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Wine Chemical Parameters, Quality and Price
There’s new research from Romania, published in the Scientific Bulletin of Biotechnologies, into how certain chemical parameters in wine influence its sensory properties. The study shows that while wines may be chemically sound and meet all the required standards, these chemical values alone do not guarantee that the wine will be well-received by consumers. This is because sensory properties, which include how the wine looks, smells and tastes, can differ significantly even if the chemical makeup is similar. In terms of chemical composition pH, Total Polyphenolic Content (TPC) and anthocyanins have the greatest influence on quality. The lowest influence is…
Pick Lists
Majestic | The Wine Society | Tesco | Waitrose | Sainsbury’s | Morrisons | Co-op | Asda | Aldi | Lidl | £7 and Under | Over £20
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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