Simon Judge
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Tesco Autumn Winter Tasting
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…
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Majestic Autumn Winter Tasting
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’…
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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 17 September 2024 until 23 September 2024. See the Tesco tasting for tips on what to buy.
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The Grape Unveiling
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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Hatch Mansfield Autumn Portfolio Tasting
In September 2024, I attended the Hatch Mansfield Autumn Portfolio Tasting, an event in London showcasing an impressive array of wines from Hatch Mansfield’s portfolio. This agency focuses on wines crafted by independent, family-owned winemakers. Their portfolio includes well-known names such as Taittinger, C.V.N.E, Villa Maria and Errazuriz. Their wines can be found at many independent retailers, with some available in supermarkets. The event featured 285 wines in total, making it a bit of a challenge. With so many excellent wines, it was difficult to single out favourites. I didn’t attend with any specific aim in mind, but I found…
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Villa Maria Seaspray Sauvignon Blanc
Villa Maria’s Single Vineyard Seaspray Sauvignon Blanc is a standout wine from the eastern coastline of the Awatere Valley, a cooler and windier sub-region of Marlborough, New Zealand. This area is known for its slow-growing season, which allows the grapes to develop an intense concentration and depth of flavour. The 2021 vintage of this wine was awarded by the IWC, earning praise for its exceptional quality. It also holds a high 4.1 rating on Vivino, reflecting its popularity among wine enthusiasts. This 2022 vintage continues this success and has 14% ABV. This wine start with the typical Sauvignon Blanc passion…
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Virgen del Galir Val do Galir Godello
Virgen del Galir Val do Galir Godello 2023 is a white wine from Valdeorras in Galicia, Spain. Produced by Bodegas Virgen, which was purchased by CVNE, a notable name in Rioja, back in 2018, this wine reflects the region’s traditional winemaking techniques. The wine has gained recognition, with a solid 91 points from Robert Parker. The 2023 vintage comes in at a robust 14% ABV, making it one of the stronger expressions of Godello from the area. Made from 100% Godello grapes, this wine is fermented using indigenous yeasts and aged for three months on its lees, adding to its…
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Viña Pomal 106 Barricas
Viña Pomal, famously associated with Winston Churchill as his reputed bodega of choice, offers its 106 Barricas Rioja Reserva 2019 as a limited edition tribute. The name ‘106’ pays homage, originally in 2010, to the 106th anniversary of the winery’s first harvest in 1904, with only 50,000 bottles produced for this exclusive edition. The wine is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano, offering a deep and complex profile. Aged for a minimum of 18 months in barrels, it has a bold 14.5% ABV. Viña Pomal’s vineyards are located around Haro, influenced by both Atlantic and Mediterranean climates, which help…
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Aldi Autumn Winter Wine Tasting
In September 2024, I attended the Aldi Autumn Winter Press Wine Tasting, where 98 wines were showcased. It was a great opportunity to experience the variety and quality of Aldi’s wine offerings as they continue to establish themselves as a major player in the UK market. In fact, Aldi recently became the third-largest wine retailer, by volume, in the UK. One of the most remarkable statistics shared at the event was that Aldi sold an extra bottle of wine every second compared to the previous year. Aldi has also been working on their bottle labels. They have started to communicate…
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Rising Corkage Fees to Upwards of £100
The BBC has reported that Corkage fees, the charges diners pay for bringing their own wine to restaurants, are rising in London as establishments try to maintain profitability. Traditionally around £12 to £15 per bottle, some venues now charge upwards of £100. This increase is driven by inflation and rising costs, such as energy bills and wages, which have hit the restaurant industry hard, particularly in fine dining. Restaurants charge corkage to cover service costs and compensate for lost alcohol sales, which are typically more profitable than food. Some restaurants, like Dorian in Notting Hill, justify high fees by arguing…
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Label Design Influence on Consumer Attitudes Toward Organic Wine
New research ‘healthy = (un)tasty’ intuition concerning colour in organic wine labels explores how the colour of organic wine labels influences consumer perceptions, focusing on the associations with healthiness, tastiness and purchase intentions. The research investigates the effects of red versus green labels on these consumer attitudes. The study confirms that organic labels generally create a ‘health halo’, where consumers perceive organic products as healthier. This was demonstrated through Implicit Association Tests, revealing that consumers implicitly associate organic wine with both healthiness and tastiness. Green labels were found to be more strongly associated with healthiness, while red labels were linked…
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Three Domaine Bousquet Malbecs
I first came across Domaine Bousquet Malbec at the London Wine Fair, where I singled out Bousquet Gran Malbec, having won a Gold in the Drinks Business Malbec Masters. Here, I explore the winery further, along with its range of sister wines. The Bousquet family, originally from Carcassonne in southern France, have four generations of winemaking expertise. Their passion for high-quality wine led them to Argentina, where they found the Gualtallary Valley in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, situated 4,000 feet in the foothills of the Andes. In 2011, Jean Bousquet handed over the winery to his daughter, Anne, and…
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Should Rosé Wines Be Darker?
New research on The effect of rosé wine colours on expected flavour and tastiness explores how different shades of rosé wine influence consumer perceptions, particularly regarding flavour expectations and tastiness. The study involved an experiment with 601 French rosé wine consumers, focusing on five shades of Rosé de Provence wines. It investigated whether slightly darker rosé wines, like peach and melon shades, elicit more positive consumer responses than paler shades such as nacre, light melon and sand. Consumers generally preferred the slightly darker peach and melon shades over paler shades. These darker shades were associated with higher willingness to pay,…
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Fine Wine Tasting
In September 2024, I attended a Fine Wine Evening at my local Majestic in Woking. It was a consumer tasting event, expertly presented by Andrew from Majestic Woking. Andrew, who is soon to move to Majestic Edinburgh, showcased his knowledge throughout the evening, offering insights into the selection of fine wines. The evening began with a welcome drink of the excellent Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne. Aged for twice the legally required time, this Champagne benefits from extended time on the lees, which imparts a delightful biscuity and toasty flavour, complemented by a slight citrus nuance. It’s no surprise that this…
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Tenuta Di Trinoro Tasting
In early September 2024, I attended a tasting lunch in London hosted by Benjamin Franchetti, the owner of Tenuta di Trinoro, a renowned estate known for its Super-Tuscan wines. The estate was founded by Benjamin’s late father, Andrea Franchetti, who defied expectations by creating a world-class Super-Tuscan from scratch, without any outside help. Although Tenuta di Trinoro fits the definition of a Super-Tuscan, using international grape varieties, aged in barriques and produced in limited quantities, Benjamin prefers not to classify the wines in this category. He values the creative freedom to craft unique wines without restrictions or expectations. Andrea’s legacy…
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WineGB Trade and Press Tasting
The WineGB Trade and Press Tasting, in early September 2024, offered an impressive selection, showcasing over 300 wines from 80 producers. The event featured individual exhibitor stands, regional vineyard association stands and themed tasting tables. English sparkling wine has reached an exceptional level of quality, frequently rivalling and occasionally surpassing some of the finest Champagnes. Although I tasted a some traditional method sparkling wines, my primary interest lay in exploring the wines outside this well-established category. I wanted to see how English sparkling wines are evolving and also to investigate what still wines were on offer, particularly those made with…
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Swig Autumn Portfolio Tasting
Swig is an online retailer founded by Robin Davis, 25 years ago, which has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s best independents. They also supply some of the UK’s top restaurants and independents, and in 2021, Decanter Magazine awarded them Best Midsize Online Retailer. In September 2024, I attended the Swig Autumn Portfolio Tasting at Crypt on the Green. The venue’s naturally cooler temperature was ideal for showcasing red wines at their best, a refreshing change from warmer venues that can sometimes compromise the tasting experience. The event featured 265 wines, with a particularly wide range of Italian…
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Consumer Attitudes and Willingness to Pay for Sustainable Wine
New research (pdf) looks into how age influences consumer attitudes and their willingness to pay for sustainably produced wine. The research is based on a survey of approximately 2,500 wine consumers across seven countries: the United States, South Africa, Netherlands, Italy, France, Chile and Australia. The study finds that younger consumers, those aged 18 to 44, are more inclined to view sustainable wine certification as important compared to older consumers aged 45 and above. This younger group also shows a slightly higher willingness to pay a premium for sustainably produced wines. However, while the willingness to pay among younger consumers…
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Cork vs Screw Cap
There’s a great new in-depth article at Food and Wine on Screw Caps vs Corks. The debate between corks and screw caps in the wine industry revolves around tradition, functionality and consumer perception. Corks, traditionally used in wine bottles, are praised for their ability to help wines age and develop complexity due to their porous nature. However, corks can deteriorate over time, leading to oxidation and there’s the potential of cork taint, affecting up to 5% of wines. Screw caps, introduced in 1959, have gained popularity due to their consistency and ability to prevent contamination. They are particularly suited for…
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Babylonstoren Sprankel
The Babylonstoren Sprankel 2018, from the Western Cape, offers an intriguing alternative to traditional Champagne. It’s part of the growing selection of Cap Classique wines from South Africa with over 260 producers and more than 400 different cuvées. South Africa now produces an impressive 11 million bottles annually and the Sprankel is a great example of why South African sparkling wines are gaining international recognition. Made using the traditional Méthode Cap Classique, which mirrors the techniques used for Champagne, the Sprankel is made only from Chardonnay grapes. It benefits from over four years of ageing, allowing it to develop a…
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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