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Simon Judge

  • Increase in British Vineyard Buying Demand

    Increase in British Vineyard Buying Demand

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    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…

  • Wine Diva

    Wine Diva

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  • Pazzia Primitivo di Manduria

    Pazzia Primitivo di Manduria

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    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…

  • Good Housekeeping Wine Awards 2023

    Good Housekeeping Wine Awards 2023

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    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…

  • Field Blend

    Field Blend

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    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…

  • 25% off Wine

    25% off Wine

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    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…

  • The Ultimate Christmas Drinks Workshop

    The Ultimate Christmas Drinks Workshop

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    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.

  • Who are WineGB?

    Who are WineGB?

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    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…

  • Liquid Therapy

    Liquid Therapy

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  • Pontarelli Toscana Rosso

    Pontarelli Toscana Rosso

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    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…

  • Research into Words That Describe Wine

    Research into Words That Describe Wine

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    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…

  • Terroir

    Terroir

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    ‘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…

  • 25% off Wine at Tesco

    25% off Wine at Tesco

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    Tesco has Buy 6 or more Save 25% Clubcard Price – Save 25% On Selected Wines When You Buy 6 + Bottles, until Mon 25/9/23.

  • Understanding and Using Wine Ratings

    Understanding and Using Wine Ratings

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    The world of wine can be a complex and sometimes intimidating space with countless varieties, regions, and producers, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This is where wine ratings come into play. They offer a guide to help navigate the vast landscape. However, it’s important to understand wine ratings to know why it’s possible you might not actually like some highly rated wines. There are essentially two types of wine ratings. The first is a professional evaluation that focuses on the typicity of the wine. The second is personal, which centres on whether an individual or a group of people like…

  • Pointillist Wine

    Pointillist Wine

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  • Orange Wine

    Orange Wine

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    Orange wine is a type of wine made by fermenting white grape juice in contact with its skins for an extended period. This process is similar to how red wines are made, but it’s applied to white grapes. The extended skin contact gives the wine its characteristic orange or amber hue. The practice of making wine in this manner dates back thousands of years, with origins in the Caucasus region, particularly in countries like Georgia. In recent years, orange wines have seen a resurgence in popularity, especially among enthusiasts of natural and biodynamic wines. Taste-wise, orange wines are known for…

  • Ravenswood Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel

    Ravenswood Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel

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    Ravenswood, once a revered producer closely linked with the renowned winemaker and owner, Joel Peterson, has seen a series of transitions. Initially acquired by Constellation for $149 million, it was later bundled with other brands and sold to the large wine conglomerate, Gallo, in 2021 for $1.7 billion. It’s essential to note that while the brand transitioned, the vineyard did not. This means that this wine’s lineage has changed and the great reviews prior to this are not reflective of the current product. The origin of the grapes is now somewhat ambiguous, but it’s highly unlikely they come from the…

  • The Oxford Companion to Wine

    The Oxford Companion to Wine

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    The Oxford Companion to Wine has long been revered in the world of wine books and its fifth edition serves to solidify this reputation. This latest edition features more than 4,100 entries, providing comprehensive coverage of the subject. With the inclusion of more than 300 brand-new entries, readers are treated to fresh insights and information. The breadth and depth of the content are further enriched by the expertise of over one hundred new contributors. Their diverse backgrounds span a myriad of fields, from viticulture and oenology to the more esoteric realms of culture, religion, and history. This ensures that the…

  • Italy Loses Wine-making Leadership to France

    Italy Loses Wine-making Leadership to France

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    Reuters is reporting on the decline in wine production in Italy. The wine output in Italy is expected to decrease by 12% this year (2023), falling below 44 million hectolitres. This significant drop is attributed to extreme weather conditions and fungal diseases that have adversely affected the vineyards. As a result of this decline, Italy has lost its leadership position in wine-making to France. However, the concern isn’t primarily about Italy losing its lead in wine production volumes and is instead suffering more from the decline in both local and international demand.

  • What is Vegan Wine?

    What is Vegan Wine?

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    Vegan wine is wine that is made without using any animal products during the winemaking process. While it might seem surprising that wine could contain animal products, traditional winemaking often involves the use of substances like gelatin, egg whites or fish bladder proteins (isinglass) to clarify and stabilise the wine. These substances help to remove impurities and unwanted particles from the wine, making it clear and bright. Vegan wines, on the other hand, avoid these animal-derived products and instead use plant-based or mineral alternatives for clarification. This can include substances like bentonite clay or activated charcoal. The use of these…

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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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