Simon Judge
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Research into Wine Complexity
I have written previously about the idea of complexity in wine, but it is also important to look at the research in order to understand it more fully. A particularly interesting TEDx presentation, The Art and Science of Wine Tasting by Qian Janice Wang, explores the question of what wine complexity really is or isn’t. Her discussion suggests that chemical complexity does not necessarily correspond to perceived wine complexity. In other words, a wine with a more complicated chemical composition is not automatically experienced as more complex by the person tasting it. The presentation also highlights that complexity can involve…
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The Wine Society Spring Summer
The Wine Society, established in 1874, is the world’s oldest member-owned wine community. Today, it has more than 180,000 members and offers over 1,400 wines from around the world, sourced from more than 700 suppliers. With a strong focus on member interests over profit, it has built a reputation for quality, trust and value. In mid-April 2026, I was invited to The Wine Society’s Spring/Summer press tasting in London, where around 120 wines were showcased. These were the bottles that particularly stood out to me: The Society’s Champagne Brut NV 12.5% £36.50A blend of 52% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir and…
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Vagabond London Victoria
In early April 2026, my wife and I visited Vagabond in London as part of a birthday celebration. This is more of a mini-review of the venue itself than of the individual wines. Vagabond, now owned by Majestic, is a chain of wine bars offering more than 100 self-serve wines by the glass. The system is simple: you choose your serving size, either a small 25ml sample or a full glass, tap your credit card and press again to pour. We went to the London Victoria branch at lunchtime and were impressed by the wine selection. One of the best…
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Kew Gardens Albillo
Kew Gardens Albillo is by Raices Albillo from Spain’s Castilla y Leon wine region, made from the rare Albillo grape, often referred to as white Tempranillo. This is the 2024 vintage, sitting at 12.3%. In the glass it has a very light colour, almost clear. The aroma brings ripe pear and a floral lift, vibrant and bright, much like the bottle label itself. On the way through there is a strong pear character, with a slight Muscadet-like leesy feel at the centre from six months of lees ageing, then a zesty lime citrus finish with a touch of salinity. It…
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UK Bottle Supply Fears Grow Amid Encirc Strike Dispute
The Drinks Business is reporting that there may be a risk of disruption to the UK drinks supply chain because workers at Encirc’s Elton glass plant, which supplies bottles for major brands and supermarket wines, have announced further strike dates in April and May after planned job cuts of nearly 30 roles. Unite argues this could hit bottle availability and potentially lead to shortages in the coming months. It also says the dispute is tied to worker concerns about staffing levels, fatigue, and health and safety, though Encirc rejects those claims. The article adds a wider industry angle, noting that…
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Opi Malbec
Opi Malbec comes from Mendoza and was named ‘Best Malbec of Argentina’ on its debut vintage in 2008. It is made by Opi Sadler, ‘The Malbec Magician’, as his fellow Argentine winemakers call him. In U.S. direct-wine channels, the same line is often sold as J Opi Malbec. It is 100% Malbec, with brief oak ageing, from the 2025 vintage and sits at 12.5% abv. In the glass, the colour is a deep purple. The aroma brings black plum, blackberry, violets, oak, a slightly smoky edge and a touch of treacle toffee. On the taste, you get dark fruit, smoke…
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Lidl Spring Summer Tours
On the first day of April 2026, I attended Lidl’s Spring/Summer press tasting in London, where around 50 wines were showcased from the retailer’s current April, forthcoming May and June releases, along with a small preview of its July Wine Tour. A number of bottles from Lidl’s core range, available year-round, were also available to try. Lidl’s Wine Tours typically last for around two months, giving shoppers a limited opportunity to buy these bottles before they disappear from the shelves. The most popular wines often sell out quickly, which is very much part of Lidl’s approach, keeping the range dynamic,…
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The Best Organic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
This has been a long-time favourite of mine. At the last Morrisons press tasting, I found that the 2024 vintage was even better than usual and it ended up being my favourite red of the whole tasting. More recently, I had to try it again when I saw it on offer, just to check it was still as good as it had seemed at the tasting. It is made by Citra Vini from 100% Montepulciano grapes. Citra Vini is the largest wine-growing cooperative in Abruzzo, made up of around 5,000 family-run vineyards. The cooperative has also ranked among the world’s…
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Lidl Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
I came across this 2020 vintage Amarone at a Lidl press tasting, where I thought it was the best wine on show, clearly better than the previous 2019 vintage and easily the best supermarket Amarone I have come across so far. Since then, I had been keeping an eye out for it to appear in store, as it only seemed to be the earlier 2019 vintage that was actually on the shelves. I finally managed to find a bottle in a different store from the one I usually visit and it is every bit as excellent as I remembered. At…
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Rose & Rose Sauvignon Blanc
I first came across this wine at a Majestic press tasting and thought it was one of the best bottles on show. I had to try it again to see what it was like outside a line-up of 120 wines, how it changed with temperature and whether it would still impress. It comes from Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. Back in 1978, the Rose family became the first to grow grapes in what is now known as the Golden Mile, after winning approval to plant in a region where it had previously not been permitted and where there had been strong opposition.…
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Mystery Wine Bottle Dumping Leaves East Yorkshire Villagers Baffled
The BBC is reporting that residents in the Hotham and North Cave villages are frustrated by a strange and persistent case of fly-tipping, where large quantities of empty Sauvignon Blanc bottles have been dumped along rural lanes for months. One farmer reported collecting as many as 48 bottles in a single day, with many identified as Villa Maria, a relatively premium wine. Despite the scale of the issue, East Riding of Yorkshire Council says it has received very few reports and is urging residents to log every incident so it can assess enforcement action. Locals have raised concerns about safety…
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UK Supermarkets Spark Champagne Price War Before Easter
The Drinks Business reports that a new round of pre Easter Champagne discounting has hit the major supermarkets, with Tesco and Sainsbury’s reviving 25% off when buying six bottles and Waitrose following with a milder offer. The article says the deals run until 6 April at Tesco and Sainsbury’s, and highlights how cuts on brands such as Perrier Jouët, Moët & Chandon, Bollinger and Nicolas Feuillatte are pushing some bottles to unusually low prices for the category. See my offers page for the best discounts on Champagne and still wine.
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Tesco Spring/Summer Press Tasting
In late March 2026, I attended the Tesco Spring/Summer press tasting in London. Tesco was awarded Outstanding Supermarket Wine Range at the 2026 IWSC Retail Awards, recognising the breadth of its wine selection. For the new Spring/Summer season, Tesco has launched 70 new wines. There were 150 wines showcased at the tasting, including 39 new additions. There was plenty to explore, but these were the bottles that particularly caught my eye: Nyetimber Classic Cuvée NV, 12% ABV, £42English Sparkling made from 35% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir and 28% Pinot Meunier, using only 100% estate-owned fruit. It is aged on the…
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‘Tenacity Old Vine’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Two Hands ‘Tenacity Old Vine’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from old vines in McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley, Australia. This is the 2024 vintage, produced by Two Hands, with the aim of making wines that feel softer and more approachable. The name Tenacity reflects the determination and perseverance of old vines that have become such an enduring part of the Australian landscape. A good tip here is to let it breathe for at least half an hour. In the glass, you get blackcurrant, bay leaf, cedar and leather aromas. On the taste, it leans into fruity black cherry. It is dry,…
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25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s has 25% off wine for Nectar loyalty card holders, sparkling and Champagne, 6 bottles or more, £6 or more (£7 in Wales), from 25 March to 4 April 2026. See the recent Sainsbury’s press tasting for tips on what to buy.
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Italian Wine Has a Trust Problem and the Official Checker is Not Helping
Italian wine has built one of the most serious anti-counterfeit systems in Europe, but it still has a glaring weakness: the last step, where the consumer is supposed to verify the bottle, is not good enough. The official Trust Your Wine app was launched by IPZS in 2017 as the state-backed way to check DOCG and DOC seals by scanning the datamatrix and querying the official system, and it remains available today in the Google Play and Apple app stores. It promises bottle-level authenticity, provenance and traceability. That promise matters because the underlying problem is real. In March 2026, the…
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A Strong 2025 Vintage Marks the Start of the UK Growing Season
WineGB has launched its 2025 Harvest Report alongside the updated 2026 Green Book as vineyards enter a new growing season. The report highlights 2025 as an outstanding year for UK viticulture, driven by favourable weather conditions. An early, dry spring followed by exceptional summer heat led to the earliest and ripest grape harvest recorded in the British Isles. Production rose significantly, with a 39% increase on 2024 according to WineGB data, while Food Standards Agency figures show an even larger 55% rise, totalling over 16.5 million bottles. The quality of the crop also improved, with higher ripeness levels, increased potential…
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25% Off Wine at Waitrose
Waitrose has 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced between £6 and £100 from 25 March 2026 to 7 April 2026 inclusive. See the recent press tasting for tips on what to buy.This offer isn’t available in branches in Scotland, Wales or Jersey, motorway service stations, Welcome Break or petrol stations.
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Les Grands Chais de France Tasting
In March 2026, I attended a tasting for the on-trade (hospitality) and independent retail sectors, hosted by Les Grands Chais de France at Vagabond Urban Winery in London. Les Grands Chais de France (GCF) is a major French wine and spirits company and one of Europe’s leading wine merchants. Its business spans branded wines, estate wines, sparkling wines and spirits. In the UK, it is perhaps best known in supermarkets for labels such as J.P. Chenet and Calvet, some of which I have previously reviewed. GCF’s focus is strongly international. Around 80% of its turnover comes from exports, with wines…
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Les Jamelles Syrah
Les Jamelles Syrah is a 2024 vintage from the Languedoc region in the South of France, made by winemaker Catherine Delaunay. It is 100% Syrah. The majority of the wine is made using a traditional South of France method known as “la cocotte”, or the casserole. At the end of alcoholic fermentation, the pomace, skins, seeds and solids are fully submerged. This gives a slow, gentle extraction of tannins and colour pigments, helping to create reds with deeper colour and a softer texture. A portion of the wine is also oak aged. It comes in at 13.5% abv. In the…
Pick Lists
Majestic | The Wine Society | Tesco | Waitrose | Sainsbury’s | Morrisons | Co-op | Asda | Aldi | Lidl | £7 and Under | Over £20
Did You Know?
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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