Simon
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Women Judge Wine More Stringently
A new study Factors explaining differences in wine experts’ ratings: The case of gender, credentials, occupation and peer effects by researchers from Spain and France investigates the reasons behind the variability in scores given by wine experts to the same wines under identical tasting conditions. The research examines how personal characteristics such as gender, industry…
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Kew Gardens Crémant de Loire Rosé Brut
This wine, created in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, features a beautifully designed label that captures the essence of nature. The nude cork adds a rustic charm, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. On pouring, the wine reveals a strong mousse and an attractive blush colour. The bottle label promises berry fruit and citrus…
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Jam Shed ‘Spin to Win’ Promotion
Jam Shed is launching a new promotion featuring a ‘Spin to Win’, offering consumers a chance to win from over 25,000 prizes. The promotion runs from 1st July to 30th September and includes 1,695,894 neck flags across six SKUs: Shiraz, Chardonnay, Malbec, Rosé, Tempranillo, and Red Blend. Available in major grocery stores and retailers nationwide,…
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Decanter World Wine Awards, Best Value Gold
The Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2024 has revealed its Top 20 Value Gold wines, showcasing the best wines under £15. These wines deliver exceptional quality for their price, making them ideal choices for everyday enjoyment without compromising on excellence. The judging process involves blind tastings and evaluations by regional panels and co-chairs, ensuring that…
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Cheapest UK Supermarket for Branded Wine
A Which? investigation has found that Tesco is the cheapest supermarket for branded wines if you have a Clubcard. An analysis of prices for 15 branded wines at major UK supermarkets (Asda, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose) from 1 February to 30 April 2024 revealed Tesco’s Clubcard discounts made it the most affordable, with…
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Italian Wine Production Fell by 17% Last Year
The Drinks Business is reporting that, in 2023, Italian agriculture suffered significantly due to extreme weather, with wine production being particularly affected. Europe experienced its hottest summer in 2,000 years, leading to a 3.9% drop in agricultural output in Italy. Specifically, the production of vines, fruits, and olives decreased by 11.1%, and overall wine production…
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Petersham Cellar, Vini Franchetti
Petersham Cellar is a London-based independent specialist in cult and fine wines. It was founded by Giovanni Mazzei from the Marchesi Mazzei family, owners of the Castello di Fonterutoli in Tuscany since 1435 and Lara Angelica Boglione from Petersham Nurseries in London. Petersham Cellar is associated with Petersham Nurseries and the group of restaurants including…
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Istituto Grandi Marchi
On 25 June 2024, I attended the Istituto Grandi Marchi wine tasting event in London. The Istituto Grandi Marchi, founded in 2004, is a group comprising eighteen top Italian wineries. Their mission is to promote the culture and trade of high-quality Italian wine. As part of their global tour, they brought a selection of exceptional…
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25% off Wine at Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s has 25% off wine, 6 bottles or more, £6 or more, from 26 June 2024 to 30 June 2024.
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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 25 June 2024 until 1 July 2024. Max 36 bottles. See the Tesco tasting for tips on what to buy.
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Wine Atlas Île-de-Beauté Rosé
The Wine Atlas Île-de-Beauté Rosé, 2023 vintage, comes from Corsica and is produced by Vignerons D’Aghione. It features a blend of Niellucciu, Sciacarellu (20%), Syrah (10%) and Grenache (50%), with a 4-month maturation period and an 11% ABV. The wine is a IWC Bronze Medal Winner 2024 and is a new wine in the Asda…
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WineGB Awards Winners
The eighth WineGB Awards saw a record-breaking number of entries and gold medals, with wines from 33 counties across England and Wales receiving accolades. Over 350 medals were awarded: 177 for sparkling wines and 174 for still wines, with a significant increase in gold medals for still wines compared to 2023. Notable categories included Classic…
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UK Vineyard Visits Surge
A new WineGB tourism report (PDF) reveals a significant rise in vineyard visits in the UK, with a 55% increase in two years. The report highlights WineGB’s initiatives to support wine tourism and outlines seven policy changes it urges the government to implement to boost growth. The report shows that 300 vineyards and wineries are…
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Lidl Summer and French Wine Tours
In June 2024, I went to a Lidl wine tasting in London, which showcased wines planned to be introduced during the Summer (mainly Iberian wine) and French Wine Tours, at the end of June 2024 and July 2024 respectively. Additionally, a selection of wines from Lidl’s core range was also being shown. Wine Tours at…
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Decanter World Wine Awards 2024
The Decanter World Wine Awards 2024 results are out, highlighting the best wines from over 18,000 entries across 57 countries. France led with the most top medals, including 12 Best in Show awards. Notable winners include Burgundy and Champagne. Other standout regions are Australia, Spain and Italy. The awards also featured impressive performances from emerging…
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Celebrate English Wine Week with The Uncommon at Waitrose King’s Cross
The Uncommon, a pioneering English winemaker, is set to take over the Waitrose Bar at its King’s Cross store during English Wine Week from 15th to 23rd June. Their canned English bubbly wines will be featured alongside a series of vibrant activities, including tastings and an English Wine Masterclass led by Phil Norman on June…
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Premium Rosés
A new article from The Drinks Business highlights twelve luxury rosés, detailing their unique characteristics and appeal to fine wine enthusiasts. The selection spans various regions and styles, emphasising high-quality production and distinctive flavour profiles. These rosés are premium choices for discerning palates, often accompanied by notable packaging and prestigious vineyard reputations. Here is the…
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Wyfold Vineyard Brut 2017
Wyfold Vineyard Brut 2017 is a small release from a small site in Oxfordshire. Coming from Barbara Laithwaite CBE’s cherished two hectares of vineyards on the Chiltern Hills, this English Sparkling reflects her award-winning legacy. With accolades including a recent Gold at WineGB, a Silver Decanter Medal, and Bronze awards from both the International Wine…
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Wine for Anti-Ageing?
Vogue has an article, Can A Compound Found In Red Wine Help Your Skin? The idea of using anti-ageing products can feel outdated, as there’s a growing preference for focusing on longevity and graceful ageing. Among the popular anti-ageing methods on social media, resveratrol has gained attention for its promising benefits. This natural compound, found…
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UK Wine and Spirits Contributes £76 Billion to UK Economy
Drinks Retailing News mentions a recent report commissioned by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) revealing that the UK’s wine and spirits industry contributed over £76 billion to the economy in 2022, a significant increase from £49 billion in 2017. The study, conducted by economic consultancy Cebr, found the industry generated over £22 billion…
Recent
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Hatch Mansfield Autumn Portfolio Tasting
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Villa Maria Seaspray Sauvignon Blanc
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Virgen del Galir Val do Galir Godello
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Viña Pomal 106 Barricas
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Aldi Autumn Winter Wine Tasting
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Rising Corkage Fees to Upwards of £100
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Label Design Influence on Consumer Attitudes Toward Organic Wine
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Three Domaine Bousquet Malbecs
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Should Rosé Wines Be Darker?
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Fine Wine Tasting