Simon Judge
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Greyfriars Non Vintage Cuvée
This English NV Sparkling Cuvée uses the three traditional Champagne varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Drawing from the 2014, 2015 and 2016 vintages, this sparkling wine has been aged in bottle for two years on its lees. It’s no surprise that it won the 2023 WineGB Gold Medal. The Cuvée is soft and dry, revealing lemon, apple and mineral flavours. It’s a worthy alternative to NV Champagne. This is a great choice for those keen on supporting the English wine industry and the ‘buy local’ movement. Priced at £22 when purchased directly from the vineyard, it’s also available…
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New Zealand Wine Exports Surged 23%
The Annual Report 2023 from New Zealand Winegrowers covers the past year and says that after three challenging years due to COVID-related uncertainties, the New Zealand grape growers and wineries are looking to the future with renewed confidence. Wine exports have surged to new record levels, showing a growth of 23% in value to $2.4 billion. Notably, value growth outpaced volume, indicating that consumers are willing to pay premium prices for New Zealand wines. This performance has positioned New Zealand as the world’s sixth-largest exporter of wine by value even though it produces less than 2% of the global supply.…
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WineGB Trade & Press Tasting
On the 5th of September 2023, I went to the annual WineGB Trade & Press Tasting, where 312 wines from English and Welsh producers were on display. The event had separate stands for individual exhibitors, stands that represented regional vineyard associations with smaller commercial producers on display and special tables emphasising the diverse wine styles now being produced in Britain. Additionally, there was a dedicated tasting table presenting the Trophy winners from the WineGB Awards 2023. I sampled many wines and these are the ones that particularly caught my attention: The award winning wines I tried were the Digby Fine…
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Ripasso
The word “Ripasso” literally means ‘re-passed’ in Italian. This term is used to describe a specific winemaking technique that involves a second fermentation process. Originally, this method was developed in the Veneto region of Italy, and it is most commonly associated with Valpolicella wines. After the initial fermentation of the wine, the young wine is added to a cask containing the skins and lees left over from the production of Amarone or Recioto (a sweet wine and ancestor of Amarone), other wines from the same region. The wine then undergoes a second fermentation, absorbing additional tannins, flavours and complexities from…
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The Decline of Bordeaux Wine
The Bordeaux wine region of France is currently facing a myriad of challenges that threaten its position in the global wine market. Red wine consumption in France has seen a significant decline in recent decades. Many French consumers are now opting for alternative beverages like beer. While premium Bordeaux wines continue to find buyers, the demand for entry-level red wines has dwindled. This drop in demand has led to falling prices, making it more attractive for many vintners to uproot their vineyards and seek compensation rather than continue with wine production. In response to these challenges, the French government has…
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1874 Autumn – Walkaround tasting
The Wine Society have a 1874 Autumn – Walkaround tasting in London on 11 September 2023 6:00 – 08:30pm. There are also similar events in Lancaster on 19 September and Leamington on 20 September . Based on the Wine Society’s 1874 magazine’s Autumn edition, this tasting will encompass a series of brief walkaround sessions featuring a variety of themes. They will cover South Africa’s dynamic wine scene, pairing tradition with sustainability and showcasing an array of wines from emerging young producers, following Jo Locke MW’s recent trip there. Twelve selected wines will illustrate the old and new facets of this…
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Red Wines for Summer, under £10
Recently, there’s been a surge in awareness about the alcohol by volume (abv) levels in wines. The duty on wines is now influenced by their alcohol content, with a notable increase for wines between 11.5% and 14.5%. This has prompted wine drinkers to be more discerning about the figures on wine labels, especially those seeking wines with slightly lower alcohol for easy drinking. The changing climate has led to riper grapes in many wine regions, resulting in wines with higher alcohol. However, wines from cooler regions like north-east Italy and Germany still offer lighter options. Pinot noir, with its thin…
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WVine
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Espartero Reserva Rioja
This 2017 Reserva, from Bodegas Riovinsa, previously won a bronze medal from the International Wine Challenge, where it was described as having notes of herbs, tea leaves and red cherries. It was also a Bronze Winner at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards. Since its establishment in 1926, the winery has been operated by three successive generations of the Murua family. This wine is made mainly from Tempranillo grapes and undergoes a three-year aging process, with at least 12 months spent in oak barrels and an additional six months in the bottle. I found this wine to be dry, medium…
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Chilled Red Wines Are Reshaping Trends
The UK recently experienced one of its wettest Julys on record and this has had a surprising impact on wine sales. Waitrose, a prominent supermarket chain, has reported a significant increase in red wine purchases, particularly those that can be enjoyed chilled. The trend has even found its way onto social media platforms like TikTok, where the hashtag #RedWine is gaining momentum. Across the pond, America’s top sommeliers are noticing a similar trend but for different reasons. They are encouraging wine drinkers to explore chilled red wines, not just for the summer but as a year-round option. The focus is…
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Understanding Biodynamic Wine
Biodynamic vineyards view farming holistically, seeing the farm as a closed ecosystem where everything is interconnected. It goes beyond organic, emphasising the connection between the farmer, the vine, the earth and even celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and stars. This might sound unconventional, but since its inception in the 1920s by Austrian scientist Rudolph Steiner it has gained significant traction worldwide. While all biodynamic wines are organic, the reverse isn’t true. Biodynamic wines adhere to a specific lunar calendar, which dictates the ideal days for various vineyard activities from planting to harvesting. Biodynamic winemaking avoids chemicals and other manufactured…
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Passo del Cardinale Primitivo di Manduria
I recently had the pleasure of trying a Primitivo that has been given an award by Gambero Rosso magazine, a global authority on Italian food, wine and travel. With a rating of 4.1 on Vivino and an impressive 4.3 for its latest 2022 vintage, this wine piqued my interest. Upon tasting, I found it to be medium to full-bodied, maintaining a good balance with Black Forest-fruit flavours and a subtle note of vanilla. It’s not as intense as, for example, La Masseria Del Borgo, but rather more akin to a classic Primitivo. In my opinion, it’s more suitable to be…
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Love The Wine You’re With
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A Gradual UK Duty Rate Rise
If you’ve been visiting the wine shops over the past month, you may have noticed something peculiar. Despite the recent duty hike, not all wine prices have gone up. In some instances, like at Asda, prices initially remained stable, with a few wines experiencing a, greater than duty change, surge much more recently. Meanwhile, The Wine Society has managed to keep its prices unchanged. So, what’s going on? A recent commentary by the chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) in The Drinks Business sheds light on this situation. According to the WSTA, many retailers and wholesalers…
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Montagne Saint Emilion
Montagne Saint Emilion, produced by Armand Chaperon, has garnered attention with its impressive awards, including the IWSC Bronze Medal, IWC Bronze Medal and Decanter World Wine Awards Bronze in 2023. With such high expectations, it’s easy to see why I was keen to give it a try. The wine was even compared to the much-admired Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a comparison that’s particularly enticing given its more budget-friendly price point. A review on Asda’s website suggested that the difference between the two is so subtle that it’s hard to distinguish. However, my experience with the 2020 vintage was far from what I anticipated.…
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Woman Survives Five Days Stranded in Australian Bush by Drinking Wine
In a remarkable tale of survival, Lillian Ip, a 48-year-old woman, endured five days stranded in the dense bushland of Victoria, Australia. Setting off on holiday, Ip took a wrong turn and found herself at a dead end. While attempting to turn her car around, she became stuck in mud. With no mobile coverage to call for help, she was left to fend for herself. Ip, who doesn’t usually drink, had only a bottle of wine and some sweets with her. She had intended to gift the wine and used it as her last resort to survive. She also used…
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Appassimento
An Italian winemaking technique where grapes are partially dried before fermentation. This process concentrates the sugars and flavours in the grapes, resulting in wines that are richer, more robust and often higher in alcohol content. The technique is most commonly associated with Italy, particularly for wines like Amarone and some styles of Valpolicella. The length of the Appassimento process can vary. The drying phase alone can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the desired style of wine, the grape variety, and the conditions in which the grapes are dried. Some Amarone wines, for example, involve drying…
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Bosman Nero
In 2021, South Africa introduced Bosman Nero, its first Nero d’Avola, a collaboration with actor and filmmaker Thapelo Mokoena, who is a shareholder in the project. Created by winemaker Corlea Fourie, this wine is made from Nero d’Avola, a vine chosen for thriving in sun-rich, water-scarce African soil. With a commendable 3.9 score on Vivino and a place among the Top 19 South African Red wines in the United Kingdom, it’s a wine that liked by many. Decanter’s score of 89 adds to its reputation. My wife, always looking for something different, picked up this medium bodied Nero d’Avola produced…
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Wine Escape Murder Mystery
Maidstone, Kent is set to host an immersive dining experience that blends the excitement of escape room games. This special event, organised by Wine Escape, is scheduled for September 30, 2023 and promises to transport guests to the opulent era of the 1920s at the Hawker Wine Estate. The setting for this thrilling evening is The Village Hotel on Forstal Road. Attendees are invited to an exclusive party by the affluent Von James family. However, the atmosphere quickly turns tense due to a whirlwind of vengeance, lies and deception. To make it out of Hawker alive, participants must collaborate, stay…
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Wine Tasters’ Sensory Response to Flower Arrangements
Dr Heber Rodrigues led a study from the UK Centre for Excellence on Wine Education, Training and Research at Plumpton College in East Sussex. The research, published in the International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, explored the intertwined history of flower and wine arrangements. The study aimed to understand how the colour composition of flower arrangements affects people’s perceptions of their delicacy or robustness. It also examined how these perceptions influence judgments of wines. In an online test, 41 participants assessed eight flower arrangements based on colour composition. Results indicated that arrangements with high value, low saturation, and cool…
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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