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Simon Judge

  • WineGB Awards 2024 Trophy Winners

    WineGB Awards 2024 Trophy Winners

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    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…

  • The Controversy of Terroir in Wine

    The Controversy of Terroir in Wine

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    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…

  • Marques de Los Rios Rioja Gran Reserva

    Marques de Los Rios Rioja Gran Reserva

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    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…

  • Final Wine Recommendations

    Final Wine Recommendations

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    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:

  • Global Syrah Masters 2024

    Global Syrah Masters 2024

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    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…

  • 25% off Wine at Morrisons

    25% off Wine at Morrisons

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    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.

  • Understanding Light Strike in Wine Degradation

    Understanding Light Strike in Wine Degradation

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    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…

  • Ramón Bilbao Rosé 2023

    Ramón Bilbao Rosé 2023

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    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…

  • El Duque De Miralta Rioja Reserva

    El Duque De Miralta Rioja Reserva

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    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…

  • Wine Chemical Parameters, Quality and Price

    Wine Chemical Parameters, Quality and Price

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    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…

  • Global Sangiovese Masters Winners

    Global Sangiovese Masters Winners

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    Italy is renowned for Sangiovese, its most planted wine grape, covering around 70,000 hectares. In Tuscany, Sangiovese is often blended with international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, except in Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino where blending is not permitted. The recent Global Sangiovese Masters showcased mainly Tuscan wines, with some from Romagna and a few from Australia and the Americas. Notable unoaked wines under £15 included Tenute Piccini’s Oro Chianti Superiore, awarded Gold for its fruity character. Sangiovese generally benefits from wood aging, adding complexity, with many excellent wines found under £20, such as Prugneto Romagna…

  • Wines of Rueda, Navarra and Toro

    Wines of Rueda, Navarra and Toro

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    In July 2024, I attended a trade/press wine tasting event in London, the first ever bringing together Rueda, Navarra and Toro wines from Northern Spain. Rueda, northwest of Madrid, is the second most popular denomination of origin (DO) in terms of sales in Spain. It is renowned for its mainly white wines, particularly those made from the Verdejo grape. These wines are known for their aromatic profile, featuring notes of apple, tropical fruits, citrus and occasionally a hint of nuttiness. Navarra, located in the north-east of Spain near Rioja, is a prominent wine region known for its diverse offerings. The…

  • Great Rosé Wines

    Great Rosé Wines

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    Rosé wines have grown in popularity, particularly in the UK, where a significant number of consumers now enjoy them in bars and restaurants. This surge in popularity has led to a broader acceptance of rosé wines as versatile options for food pairing. A new article at Decanter highlights the main methods of making rosé wines and dispels the myth that the colour of a rosé indicates its sweetness or quality. It emphasises the gastronomic potential of darker rosé styles and provides a selection of 30 recommended rosé wines for summer enjoyment: Grange Saint-Sauveur, Les Arceaux Rosé, Loire, France 2020Château des…

  • Strangely, Non-Volatile Parts of Wine Also Affect Aromas

    Strangely, Non-Volatile Parts of Wine Also Affect Aromas

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    The research, The remarkable effects of the non-volatile matrix of wine on the release of volatile compounds explores how different components in wine affect the release of aroma compounds. Researchers studied six Spanish wines that were first stripped of their original aromas and then mixed with a standard solution of 15 different aroma compounds. The vapours, or headspace, above these wines were analysed to see which aromas were released and in what quantities. The study found that the non-volatile parts of wine, like sugars, acids and minerals, significantly affect how aroma compounds are released. For example, the release of butanoic…

  • Awards Wines Tasting

    Awards Wines Tasting

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    July and August have very few press tastings, so I decided to host some tastings at home. I invited a few PR agencies, importers and retailers to submit wines for these tastings. This first event featured award-winning wines, tasted by nine family members and friends, all of whom share my enthusiasm for wine. We enjoyed the wines together with canapés, allowing us to assess how well each wine paired with food. The wine submissions turned out to be very affordable, award-winning wines primarily available from supermarkets. As previously, this event provided interesting insights into the variability of people’s tastes as…

  • Millefiori Appasimento Veneto

    Millefiori Appasimento Veneto

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    From the Veneto region, renowned for its Amarone and Valpolicella wines, the Millefiori Appassimento Veneto is a different blend of Corvina and Merlot grapes. These grapes are selected from low-yielding vineyards in Northern Italy. 60% of the harvest undergoes the traditional appassimento method, where the grapes are dried in well-ventilated lofts. This technique, commonly associated with Amarone and certain styles of Valpolicella, concentrates the grapes’ aromas and flavours, resulting in richer and more complex wine. Produced and bottled by Puglia-based, not Veneto-based, Cantine Paolo Leo, this wine diverges from what is typical by using Merlot to complement the Corvina rather…

  • Mouton Cadet Bordeaux Reds

    Mouton Cadet Bordeaux Reds

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    Mouton Cadet owes its reputation to the passion and enthusiasm of the Rothschild family. They have cultivated a legacy of winemaking over three generations. This review is a side-by-side tasting of two Mouton Cadet wines: the Mouton Cadet Classic Rouge 2021 and the Mouton Cadet Cuvée Heritage 2019. The Mouton Cadet Classic Rouge 2021, made by winemaker Jean-Pierre Charrut, is predominantly Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with an ABV of 12.5%. Visually, this wine presents a slightly browner hue than one might expect for its age. On the nose, it reveals a slight leather aroma.…

  • The Science Behind Sparkling Wines

    The Science Behind Sparkling Wines

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    New research Understanding the tasting of champagne and other sparkling wines from a scientific perspective provides a comprehensive exploration of the processes involved in the tasting of champagne and other sparkling wines. The study looks into the dynamics from the moment the bottle is uncorked to the bursting of bubbles in the glass, emphasising the interaction of various parameters that contribute to the overall tasting experience. It also provides some dazzling images. The process begins with the uncorking of the bottle, where high-speed imaging shows the complex fluid dynamics and shock structures involved. This step is crucial as it sets…

  • UK Surpasses 1,000 Vineyards

    UK Surpasses 1,000 Vineyards

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    UK vineyards have surpassed the milestone of 1,000 vineyards, marking a 9.2% increase from the previous year, with 1,030 vineyards now registered. Sales of English and Welsh wines grew by 10% in 2023. There are now 221 wineries, and the total area under vine has reached 4,209 hectares, reflecting a 123% growth over the past decade. Production in 2023 was a record 161,960.84 hectolitres, equivalent to 21.6 million bottles, a 77% increase from 2022. Wine sales have consistently risen, with a 10% increase to 8.8 million bottles in 2023. Sales of sparkling wine surged by 187% since 2018, and still…

  • Wine Global Sparkling Masters Winners

    Wine Global Sparkling Masters Winners

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    The Global Sparkling Masters 2024, held on 9 May at Bellanger in Islington, London, featured high-quality judges evaluating 210 wines from 14 countries. Wines were awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals, with the best receiving the title of Sparkling Master. Among the entries, Italy had the most submissions, while the US did not secure any medals. The competition awarded 36 Golds and seven Masters across eight countries, with notable successes in the sub-£10 category. Moscato d’Asti stood out, earning eight Golds and a Master, praised for its balance of sweetness, lightness, and low alcohol content. Despite Champagne and Prosecco having…

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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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