Simon Judge
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Waitrose Spring Tasting
In April 2024, I had the opportunity to attend a press tasting hosted by Waitrose in London, featuring new lines and vintages. The event presented just under 100 wines, of which I sampled the majority. Among the highlights were the new additions to the own brand ‘Loved & Found’ range, which originally launched in 2019. This collection, priced under £10, encourages both winemakers and customers to explore lesser-known grape varieties. These Loved & Found wines not only offer a taste of the unusual but also support the innovative efforts of winemakers who embrace the challenge of creating something different. There…
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Wine With Beef
Pairing wine with beef opens an array of possibilities, as the robust flavours of beef dishes pair wonderfully with many red wines, enhancing both the meal and the wine. The best pairing, however, depends on the preparation and seasoning of the beef. Here are some general recommendations: The key to a successful pairing is balancing the intensity of flavours between the dish and the wine. For leaner cuts or preparations with less fat, a wine with lower tannins and a more delicate flavour profile can be ideal. Conversely, richer, fattier beef dishes often call for a wine with more body…
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Lidl Spring and Italian Wine Tours
In April 2024, I attended a Lidl wine tasting in London, which showcased wines planned to be introduced during the Spring and Italian wine tours in April and May 2024, respectively. Additionally, a selection of wines from Lidl’s core range was also being shown. Wine Tours at Lidl feature wines presented in wooden crates, each marked with ratings. A particular wine from a tour is generally available for up to two months, but it could sell out more quickly if it becomes popular. The idea behind these tours is to regularly update the selection, promoting variety and motivating customers to…
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New UK Wine Funding Comes with Dubious New Reforms
The UK government has launched the Future Winemakers’ Scheme with an investment of £1.5 million to support the burgeoning domestic wine industry, focusing on the education and training of future viticulturists and winemakers. Announced by Environment Secretary Steve Barclay at the WineGB conference, this initiative aims to cultivate skilled professionals to sustain and expand the industry’s rapid growth over the past two decades. The scheme is part of a broader effort to streamline regulations and enhance support for the sector, which currently employs around 2,300 full-time and 8,300 part-time workers, with expectations of a 50% employment increase next year. The…
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La Gioiosa et Amorosa Rosea NV
La Gioiosa et Amorosa Rosea NV was a great surprise gift at a recent dinner party, which is how I came to try this different wine. Produced by La Gioiosa, a prominent name in Italian wine known particularly for its Prosecco, this rosé variant offers a twist on the traditional. Helmed by winemaker Valerio Fuson, this wine features a modest alcohol content of 11% ABV and draws its name from the cheerful local motto, ‘Marca Gioiosa et Amorosa’, translating to ‘march with joy and love’. The wine enjoys a high rating of 4.0 on Vivino. Unlike typical Prosecco, the label…
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Marques De Valido Gran Reserva Rioja
The Marques De Valido Gran Reserva Rioja 2014 comes from a family winery operated by a father, son and cousin team. This is a Gran Reserva, which is typically only made in the finest vintages and spends two years maturing in oak barrels followed by another three years in the bottle. This wine has an impressive 4.1 score on Vivino. The 2014 vintage features a new bottle label and a slightly higher alcohol content of 13.5% ABV, than previous vintages. The wine has a lighter colour than I expected, also displaying more red than brown hues, which wasn’t expected given…
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New Research Adds to the Story of Wine and Health
Up to recently, there has been an intriguing relationship between culture, diet and health outcomes, particularly focusing on the Mediterranean diet and the historic and cultural significance of wine. The concept of the French Paradox played a central role in this narrative, highlighting the seemingly contradictory observation that the French population enjoys a lower incidence of coronary heart disease despite a diet high in saturated fats. This phenomenon garnered widespread attention in the 1990s and has became a focal point in discussions about diet and cardiovascular health. Central to the French Paradox is the role of moderate wine consumption, especially…
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Italian Whites for Food
Fiona Beckett in The Guardian Newspaper discusses how Italian wines, particularly white wines, are specifically crafted to complement food. It highlights that Italian wines often lack overt fruit flavours or excessive oakiness, maintaining lower alcohol levels to enhance rather than overwhelm simple, seasonally focused dishes. The article notes the appeal of Italian whites due to their subtle flavours and relative affordability, and suggests that these characteristics make them particularly suitable for drinking in spring. Here are five Italian white wines recommended in the article: Unearthed Castellore Custoza 2023 – £9.99 from Aldi. It is described as smooth, fresh, creamy, and…
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Wine With Sweet Course
Pairing wine with sweet courses, such as desserts, is a great way to enhance the overall dining experience. The key is to select wines that complement or contrast the flavours in the dessert without overwhelming them. Here are several wine options to consider for various types of sweet courses: Tips for Pairing:
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Free Booze Cruises
French wine shops Calais Vins and Olivier Vins have collaborated with P&O Ferries to offer British citizens complimentary ferry trips to Calais for wine purchases. This partnership allows customers who spend €300 or more at these stores to receive a free return day trip from Dover to Calais, with a three-day return trip available for purchases of €700 or more. Calais Vins has reported a notable increase in British customers despite the changes to alcohol import limits following Brexit. Previously, UK residents could bring back unlimited amounts of alcohol for personal use from the continent. However, post-Brexit regulations now restrict…
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Evolution of the Drinks Industry
Drinks retailing news has an interview with Mauricio González-Gordon, president, González Byass known for brands like Beronia, Tio Pepe, Quinta do Noval, Wirra Wirra, Jackson Estate and Disznókő Tokaji. Mauricio González-Gordon has a long background in the drinks industry, spanning over three decades. He has witnessed substantial changes in winemaking origins and global consumption patterns. Initially, the focus was on a few Spanish origin denominations, but the scope has expanded globally since the 1980s, driven by technical advancements and broader commercial strategies, including supermarket distribution. This globalisation has shifted wine consumption from traditional producing nations to importing countries like the…
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Ángeles de Amaren
The Bodegas Ángeles de Amaren Rioja 2017 is a modern interpretation of Rioja Alavesa, consisting of a blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano grapes. I thought I’d try this wine again having previously singled it out at a Rioja tasting, although the vintage I received via retail is 2017, rather than 2019 as was in the tasting. The ‘Amaren’ range, translating to ‘of my mother’ in Basque, is a tribute by winemaker Juan Luis Cañas to his mother, Ángeles. The meticulous process behind this wine involves harvesting grapes from premier vineyard locations, personally sorted by Juan Luis Cañas, ensuring…
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Wine With Chinese Food
Chinese food is known for its diverse flavours ranging from sweet and sour to spicy and umami. Here are some wine recommendations that can complement the variety of tastes found in Chinese cuisine: The key to pairing wine with Chinese food is to consider the dominant flavours of the dish—whether it’s spicy, sweet, sour, or umami—and choose a wine that either complements or contrasts these tastes.
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Wine With Fish
Pairing wine with fish can offer a harmonious blend of flavours. The best wine choice often depends on the type of fish and its preparation. Here are some general guidelines: Light and Delicate FishFor fish that are light and delicate in flavour, such as sole or flounder, opt for light-bodied white wines. A classic choice is a crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or a delicate Pinot Grigio. These wines complement the fish’s subtlety without overpowering it. Oily or Rich FishFor richer, oilier fish such as salmon or mackerel, consider wines with a bit more body or acidity to cut through…
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Different Wine Pairings
Will Lyons in The Times, has an article on Six Wine Pairings That Break the Rules and Work. (Might be behind paywall now because is only visible for short time to get indexed by search engines). Will provides a selection of wines offering a variety of options to pair with a range of dishes, emphasising the versatility of wine pairing beyond traditional rules. Here are the wines: 2022 Cepa Lebrel Rioja Joven – Spain, 13% ABV. Priced at £4.89 from Lidl. This is a vibrant, oak-free Rioja with refreshing acidity and a notable tapenade flavour, recommended for paella or roast…
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Kir-Yianni Assyrtiko
The Kir-Yianni Assyrtiko 2022 from Greece is an example of the increasing popularity and distinctive character of the Assyrtiko grape, traditionally associated with the volcanic terroir of Santorini. However, under the stewardship of Stelios, the son of Yiannis who founded the Kir-Yianni winery, this particular variant is cultivated in the cooler, higher altitude vineyards of Agios Panteleimon in Northwestern Greece. This change in locale from the grape’s island origins to the mainland contributes a unique profile to the wine, thanks to the region’s sandy soil, cold winters and warm summers. The wine presents as a pale yellow hue, inviting the…
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Wine With Fish and Chips
Pairing wine with fish and chips can elevate this classic comfort dish to a more sophisticated culinary experience. Given the crispy, fried nature of the fish and the savoury flavours of the chips, you’ll want a wine that can cut through the richness while complementing the delicate taste of the fish. Here are a few excellent choices: When serving, ensure the wine is taken out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving for optimum flavour.
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Do You Want a ‘Watered’ Down Version of a Wine?
Richard Siddle writes on the London (Trade) Wine Fair web site on how our wines might be changing soon, without our consent. Richard discusses the complexities and strategies behind wine selection and sales in retail outlets, driven primarily by industry dynamics rather than consumer preference. Factors like international currency strength, harvest quality and government taxes significantly influence which wines are available at certain price points. For example, if the currency in South American countries is weaker than in Australia, it becomes more cost-effective to source wine from South America. Additionally, a shortage of a popular grape variety can lead buyers…
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Roche Lacour Crémant de Limoux
This sparkling wine captures the essence of the South of France, specifically from beneath the hills of Limoux. It is made from a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 20% Chenin Blanc and is 12.5% ABV. This 2020 vintage heralds the return of Laurent Mingaud, its original winemaker, who brings his expertise back to this celebrated sparkling. One of the key aspects of the Roche Lacour Crémant de Limoux is its production method, which mirrors the meticulous process used for Grande Marque Champagne. This includes fermenting nearly half of the blend in oak, contributing to the wine’s distinctive…
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Co-op Buy 3 Save £5
Co-op Members have the opportunity to save £5.00 when purchasing three bottles of wine. This offer includes a broad selection of wines and sparkling priced over £7. The promotion will be in effect from the 3rd to the 23rd of April 2024, inclusive. Examples of wines included in the deal are…Les Pionniers NV ChampagneThe Ned Sauvignon BlancMuriel Tempranillo RiojaCo-op Irresistible Casablanca Valley Pinot NoirCo-op Irresistible Prosecco RoséCo-op Irresistible Pinot GrigioCo-op Fairtrade RoséChateau Senejac Cru Bourgeois I particularly like the Les Pionniers NV Champagne which is one of my Picks.
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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