Simon Judge

  • UK Wine Regulation to Change

    UK Wine Regulation to Change

    The UK government recently closed its Smarter Regulation: Wine Reforms Consultation on 21st July 2023. The consultation aimed to simplify the existing 400-page rulebook governing wine production and trade in Great Britain. The current regulations are seen as overly complex and hindering innovation, including practices that could reduce carbon emissions. The proposed reforms aim to…

  • 25% off Wine at Waitrose

    25% off Wine at Waitrose

    Waitrose has 25% OFF 6 BOTTLES or more of wine and Champagne priced £5 or over until 29/8/23.

  • Minerality

    Minerality

    Minerality is a term used to describe a set of characteristics in wine that are reminiscent of flavours, aromas, or sensations that evoke wet stones, flint, chalk or other mineral-like qualities. The source of taste of minerality in wine is a complex and debated subject. Some believe it comes directly from the minerals in the…

  • Majestic’s Organic Wine Sales Up 22%

    Majestic’s Organic Wine Sales Up 22%

    Harpers is reporting that Majestic has experienced a 22% increase in organic wine sales in the first five months of its financial year compared to the same period last year. This growth is attributed to a shift in consumer preferences towards wines with positive environmental credentials. In response to the rising demand, Majestic has expanded…

  • 25% off at Sainsbury’s

    25% off at Sainsbury’s

    Sainsbury’s has 25% off until 27/08/2023.

  • 25% off at Asda

    25% off at Asda

    Asda has 25% off before until 11:59pm on Monday 28/8/2023.

  • 25% off at Tesco

    25% off at Tesco

    Tesco has Buy 6 or more Save 25% Clubcard Price – Save 25% On Selected Wines When You Buy 6 + Bottles, until Mon 28/8/23.

  • ASDA Extra Special Carménère

    ASDA Extra Special Carménère

    Carménère, originally cultivated in the Médoc region of Bordeaux, France, is part of the Cabernet family. It derives its name from the French term for crimson, “carmin”. Despite its French origins, it’s not frequently found in France today, with Chile boasting the world’s largest plantations of this grape variety. The 2020 vintage of ASDA Extra…

  • World’s Biggest Wine Producers by Country

    World’s Biggest Wine Producers by Country

    A recent infographic crafted by Alberto Rojo Moro, drawing upon data from the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), offers a vivid portrayal of the global concentration of wine production. For those of us in the UK, it’s intriguing to observe that the distribution of wine production doesn’t necessarily mirror the variety of wines…

  • Does Vacuvin Work?

    Does Vacuvin Work?

    Vacu-vin and copycat methods involve using a stopper that enables air to be drawn out of the bottle, thereby preventing the wine from oxidising. Oxidation can be detrimental to wine, causing it to lose its vibrancy in both colour and flavour. White wines may start to take on a brownish hue, while reds can lose…

  • WineGB Industry Report

    WineGB Industry Report

    The wine industry in England and Wales has been experiencing great growth, as evidenced by the recent WineGB Industry Survey (PDF). The WineGB Industry Survey received 155 responses, capturing 91% of wine production in Britain. This comprehensive data provides a clear snapshot of the current state of the industry and its potential for future growth….

  • Tips for Waitrose

    Tips for Waitrose

    Jancis Robinson has useful ‘Bargains at Waitrose‘ blog post that mentions some of the more affordable, great wines available from Waitrose: WhitesA A Badenhorst, The Curator 2022 Coastal Region 13%, South Africa £8.99Morandé, Terrarum Patrimonial Semillón 2022 Maule 12.5% Chile £9.99Markus Huber Grüner Veltliner 2022 Traisental 12.5%, Austria £10.99Zacharias Assyrtiko 2022 Peloponnese 14% Greece £11.99…

  • ‘Back to Basics’ – Cheese and wine pairing

    ‘Back to Basics’ – Cheese and wine pairing

    Online ‘Back to Basics’ – a Cheese and wine pairing event free for Wine Society members. Nick Bayne from The Fine Cheese Company will join the Wine Society’s Tastings Team for an evening exploring wine and cheese pairings. Nick will introduce a selection of four English cheeses, each to be paired with one of our…

  • Vivino Changes UK Strategy

    Vivino Changes UK Strategy

    Vivino, the well-known wine scoring and recommendations app, is altering its ecommerce approach in the UK. Having grown from 27 million global users in 2018 to 65 million today, with 3 million of those in the UK, Vivino has decided to stop its direct wine sales in the UK. Instead, the company will rely on…

  • ASDA Extra Special Soave Classico

    ASDA Extra Special Soave Classico

    This nutty, white wine is from Italy’s Veneto region. Soave is renowned for its delicate smoothness and freshness and it is made primarily with Garganega grapes forming a minimum of 70% of the blend. There are two Soave classifications – Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). The DOC…

  • Romantic Serenade on London Train Leaves Passengers in Splits

    Romantic Serenade on London Train Leaves Passengers in Splits

    London, August 13, 2023: A London Overground train was transformed into an impromptu stage as a man, dressed in a sharp blazer, shirt, and a smart cap, serenaded a fellow passenger. The scene was made even more surreal as George Michael’s hit “Careless Whisperer” played in the background, turning the usually mundane journey into a…

  • Discover Greek Wine

    Discover Greek Wine

    Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the ‘Discover Greek Wine’ event at Cellar Magnifique in Woking. The event was hosted by Sam Kemp, wine events manager and English winemaker, who is knowledgeable and deeply passionate about wine. We were introduced to five wines, comprising three whites and two reds. It was interesting to…

  • Wines of Vesevo & Fantini Tasting – Campania & Puglia, Italy

    Wines of Vesevo & Fantini Tasting – Campania & Puglia, Italy

    The Vesevo & Fantini wine tasting events at Morrish & Banham (M&B) will showcase Italian wines created by Valentine Sciotto. The events will be hosted at M&B’s Dorchester and Bridport locations on 28th and 29th September 2023. The evenings will include an aperitif, canapés and a guided tasting of six wines. Tickets are £25 and…

  • Chardonnay-Infused Crackers

    Chardonnay-Infused Crackers

    A new limited edition cracker has been introduced, perfect for wine and cheese pairings. These crackers, named Club® x Butter Chardonnay Minis, are a collaboration between Club® Crackers and JaM Cellars. The crackers are infused with Butter Chardonnay produced by JaM Cellars, offering a rich and buttery taste. Carrie Foose, the director of brand marketing…

  • Taking Others’ Unfinished Wine Glasses

    Taking Others’ Unfinished Wine Glasses

    A server recently gained online attention after sharing a humorous post on TikTok, highlighting a customer’s audacious act of taking unfinished glasses of wine from another diner’s table. The video, created by TikToker Stephanie Carlisle, depicts her playing both the customer and the server. As the customer, she spots an unfinished wine glass on a…