Simon Judge
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Spain’s Historic Low Wine Harvest
Spain’s wine industry is grappling with its smallest harvest ever recorded, largely due to a series of extreme weather events. The 2023 grape harvest has been severely impacted by droughts, hail storms and heat waves, affecting vineyards across the country. Spain is expected to produce only 34.25 million hectolitres of grapes this year, representing a 16.6% decline compared to 2022. The situation is particularly dire in hot, dry regions like Catalonia, the Canary Islands and Castile-La Mancha. Catalonia’s Penedès region, known for its Cava production, is experiencing an unprecedented drought, with vines shriveling up due to lack of rain. The…
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Hatch Mansfield Autumn Tasting
Hatch Mansfield are an agency specialising in wines made by independent, family owned winemakers. The Autumn tasting on 26th September 2023 included wines from Champagne Taittinger, Louis Jadot, Terroirs et Talents, Joseph Mellot, M.CHAPOUTIER, C.V.N.E., Gaja, Esporão, Errazuriz, Arboleda, Seña & Viñedo, Caliterra, Zuccardi, Robert Oatley, Cherubino, Villa Maria, Esk Valley, Kleine Zalze & Visio Vintners, Domaine Carneros & Résonance and Wild Steps & The Wine on Tap Co. There was a very large number of wines so I went with a shortlist of mainly those that were accessible, financially and physically, because many are only available in one or…
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25% off Wine at Waitrose
Waitrose has 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced £6 or over from 27 September to 3 October inclusive.
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Indulge
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25% off Wine at Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s has 25% off wine From 27th September 2023 until and including 4th October 2023.
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Scots to Be Forced to Pay at Least £6 a Bottle
The Telegraph is reporting that The Scottish National Party (SNP) has announced plans to increase the minimum price for a bottle of wine to £6. The decision comes in the wake of a surge in alcohol-related deaths and harm in Scotland, which have reached their highest levels in 14 years. The SNP’s drugs and alcohol policy minister stated that this rise in alcohol-related issues is the primary reason behind the price hike. The announcement has sparked debate, especially considering the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. It’s questionable whether the price increase will actually lead to a decrease in alcohol-related deaths and harm…
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25% off Wine at Asda
Asda has 25% off before until 11:59pm on Sunday 1/10/2023.
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Champagne Masterclass with Nicolas Jaeger
On 11th December 2023, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, there’s an online Champagne masterclass for Wine Society Members. This session features Alfred Gratien’s chef de cave, Nicolas Jaeger, who will be joined by the Wine Society’s Champagne buyer Sarah Knowles MW and Ewan Murray from the Tastings Team. Together, they will discuss the various Champagne styles and its production methods, especially focusing on Gratien’s approach. The class aims to enlighten attendees about the differences between NV and Vintage, Blanc de Blancs and prestige cuvée. Additionally, Nicolas will share some insights and details about the wines he produces, which are also…
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Increase in British Vineyard Buying Demand
Barrons/Penta is reporting that the United Kingdom is witnessing a surge in interest in winemaking, positioning it as the fastest-growing wine region globally. This increasing interest has led to a significant demand for British wine estates. The southeast England is experiencing a spike in demand for vineyards and undeveloped land suitable for viticulture, from international producers to individual wine enthusiasts. Recently, the California-based wine giant, Jackson Family Wines, ventured into the English viticulture sector. Jackson owns over 40 wineries across various countries and has plans to produce sparkling wine in Kent. Additionally, they’ve acquired 65 acres in Essex with intentions…
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Wine Diva
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Pazzia Primitivo di Manduria
This Primitivo di Manduria has gained a reputation, not just for its 4.2 rating on Vivino but also for being among Vivino’s the top 25 Southern Italy Primitivo wines in the United Kingdom at the time of writing this review. A previous 2019 vintage was a Bronze IWC winner. Decanter’s review of previous vintages, which scored an 89, described it as inky dark in the glass with bags of ripe, fleshy fruit flavour, think black cherries and salted plums, velvety, rich and fruit-forward. The 2021 vintage is full-bodied and aromatic. It’s not as tannic as you might expect, which can…
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Good Housekeeping Wine Awards 2023
The Good Housekeeping Wine Awards 2023 uncovers great wines across various price points, styles and regions. The awards are backed by rigorous testing from the Good Housekeeping Institute, which has a long-standing reputation for evaluating the best in food and drink. For the inaugural awards, experts tasted wines from nine key wine-growing countries and assessed them based on complexity, flavour and finish. Best Portuguese WinePérola do Lima Vinho VerdePrice: £9.95Score: 96/100Tasting Notes: Crisp and zesty with hints of elderflower, fresh citrus, and green apple.Supplier: Slurp Best Italian Wine‘PassioneSentimento’ Passimento BiancoPrice: £11.99Score: 95/100Tasting Notes: Intense, bold tropical wine with fresh citrus…
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Field Blend
A field blend wine refers to a wine made from two or more grape varieties that are grown together in the same vineyard, harvested at the same time and then co-fermented together. This is in contrast to wines where different grape varieties are grown in separate plots, harvested at different times, and then blended together after individual fermentation. Historically, field blends were quite common. Before the advent of modern viticulture and winemaking techniques, vineyard owners would plant multiple grape varieties together in a single vineyard so that if one grape variety failed due to disease or adverse weather conditions, others…
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25% off Wine
Many of the UK supermarkets have periods where all wines priced £5 and over are subject to a 25% reduction. This used to occur only once annually, during the autumn, coinciding with the release of a new vintage. However, it now appears to happen around each significant holiday period. If you purchase from supermarkets then it’s sensible to purchase the majority of your wine during these sales. But do shop around, as the discounts on certain wines may not be as attractive as they appear and some wines may be found at a similar price elsewhere at any time. I…
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The Ultimate Christmas Drinks Workshop
On 11 Dec 2023 7:00 – 08:00pm, for Wine Society Members, Emma Briffett and Catherine Housden from the Tastings Team will offer an online comprehensive guide on hosting the perfect Christmas drinks party. They’ll address challenges like determining the right amount of food and wine for various event styles. Additionally, they’ll recommend simple canapés and six popular wines to delight your guests. There’s an open access YouTube recording of this event.
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Who are WineGB?
The UK wine production industry has seen a remarkable surge in recent years, and at the forefront of this burgeoning sector is Wines of Great Britain Limited, commonly known as WineGB. Established on 1st September 2017, WineGB emerged from the merger of two key industry bodies: the United Kingdom Vineyards Association (UKVA) and English Wine Producers (EWP). WineGB serves as the industry body for wine growers and producers across Great Britain. Its mission is multifaceted, aiming to advance the interests of its members and establish the country as one of the world’s premier quality wine regions. By providing a unified…
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Liquid Therapy
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Pontarelli Toscana Rosso
This wine, IGT classified, is a blend of 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and a dominant 70% Sangiovese produced exclusively for Marks & Spencer. It undergoes a mixed fermentation process, utilising a combination of concrete, stainless steel tanks and large oak casks. This method is designed to enhance the wine’s fruit characters. Critics seem to appreciate this wine, with Decanter awarding it an 89 and even listing it among Marks & Spencer’s top wine buys for the summer. On Vivino this 2020 vintage stands out with a 3.9 score, rating higher than any of its predecessors. Upon tasting, the wine…
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Research into Words That Describe Wine
There’s new research (PDF) from Maria Kana of Linnaeus University into the language used in wine reviews, particularly the adoption of standardised wine vocabularies like the Wine Aroma Wheel (WAW) and the Wine Lexicon of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET). The study aimed to understand how closely professional wine reviewers stick to these standard lexicons versus opting for individual expression. The research revealed that 65.79% of terms used in reviews adhered to the WSET vocabulary, which is frequently updated to reflect current industry practices. In contrast, terms adhering to the older WAW framework, last updated in 1987, accounted…
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Terroir
‘Terroir’ is a French term, steeped in sentiments, debates and controversy. Though it fundamentally translates to “a sense of place”, its meaning varies for different people. Terroir encapsulates the unique blend of both natural and human influences that endow wine with its distinct character. It speaks of everything from the soil’s constitution where the grapes grow to the regional climate and the methodologies employed in both viticulture and winemaking. When a sip of wine has the power to transport you to a specific region or vineyard, that is caused by the terroir. Its paramount importance lies in its ability to…
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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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