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Simon Judge

  • Big Christmas Wine Fest

    Big Christmas Wine Fest

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    The Three Wine Men ‘Big Christmas Wine Fest‘ is will be on at The Royal Horticultural Halls, Lindley Hall, London on Friday 17th November and Saturday 18th November 2023. This year, there’s an impressive line-up of wine producers from around the world ready to share their wines with attendees. The event includes a main walk-around tasting, three masterclasses for those keen to dig deeper and on-stage features. Attendees can expect to taste over 600 wines, ranging from reds, whites, rosés, sparkling, sweet and fortified wines. The event also offers a chance to interact with the experts, discuss wines with the…

  • Why is There a Global Wine Glut?

    Why is There a Global Wine Glut?

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    Mike Veseth has a thought-provoking article on Theories of the Global Wine Glut. The world seems to be overflowing with surplus wine. In Australia, there’s an estimation that suggests that the surplus could fill 859 Olympic-size swimming pools which translates to roughly 2.8 billion bottles. In France, the government has set aside two hundred million euros for crisis distillation. This means surplus wine will be purchased to maintain local prices and then distilled into industrial alcohol. While wine surplus isn’t a new phenomenon, the current situation seems different. Historically, wine, being an agricultural product, has seen periodic booms and busts.…

  • Love Wine

    Love Wine

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  • Diablo Crystal Sauvignon Blanc

    Diablo Crystal Sauvignon Blanc

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    When it comes to Chilean wines, Concha Y Toro is a mass producer that delivers wines that are both accessible and enjoyable. With a commendable score of 3.9 on Vivino and a ranking as the #2 top Chilean Sauvignon Blanc in the UK, expectations were high. As someone who enjoys the robust flavours of the sister wine, Diablo Black Cabernet Sauvignon, and the crispness of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, I was intrigued to see how this particular bottle would measure up. The initial nose promised a tropical adventure, with notes of passion fruit leading the way. However, upon tasting, the…

  • Quickly Picking a Wine

    Quickly Picking a Wine

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    Victoria Moore of The Telegraph highlights the familiar feeling of brain fog when faced with an overwhelming selection of wine bottles in a shop. She offers a solution for swiftly picking a wine, presenting both budget-friendly choices and pricier ‘upgrade’ alternatives Last of the summer roséBudget buy: La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2022, France – Asda (£6.75 down from £7.75), Sainsbury’s (£7 down from £8.25 until Sept 26), Tesco (£8.25 or £7.50 Clubcard price until Sept 18), Waitrose (£7.25 down from £8.25 until Sept 26)The upgrade: AIX Provence Rosé 2022, France – Ocado (£19) A cold glass of white with friendsBudget…

  • Natural Wine

    Natural Wine

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    Natural wine, sometimes referred to as ‘natty wine’, is a type of wine that’s made with minimal intervention in both the vineyard and the winemaking process. Typically, this implies grapes that have been picked by hand and grown organically, with no additions. This means no added yeast, enzymes, enrichment, acidification, filtration or temperature control. The idea behind natural wine is to let the grapes and the fermentation process work for themselves without the influence of additives or heavy-handed winemaking techniques. Originating in the early 2000s, this term has become a buzzword in the wine community. Natural wine is often described…

  • How Consumers Select Wine

    How Consumers Select Wine

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    A recent survey, documented on Forbes by one of the researchers Liz Thach, MW, has shed light on the preferences of wine consumers in three major markets: the U.S., Australia, and Italy. The study, conducted in May 2023, highlighted that in all three countries, the taste of the wine was prioritised over its price. Prior experience with a particular wine was a significant indicator of future choices. Interestingly, while Australian and U.S. consumers often based their decisions on price if they hadn’t tasted the wine, Italians were more influenced by the food they intended to pair with the wine. The…

  • Sainsbury’s Cava Brut

    Sainsbury’s Cava Brut

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    Sainsbury’s Cava Brut is a great find for those who are looking for a middle ground, taste-wise, between Prosecco and Champagne. Fermented in the bottle using the traditional method, this Cava features a blend of Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada grapes. While the reviews on Sainsbury’s website are a mixed bag, I suspect that some of the less favourable comments may be down to serving temperature. A word of advice: don’t serve this Cava straight from the fridge because it doesn’t taste of much. Letting it warm up for about 20 minutes really brings out its citrus aromas and green apple…

  • Climate Change Threatens Prosecco

    Climate Change Threatens Prosecco

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    Climate change is posing a severe threat to Prosecco, according to recent research published in the iScience journal. Originating from Italy’s mountainous vineyards, Prosecco has seen a decline in grape yields due to extreme weather conditions and soil degradation. The risk extends beyond losing an agricultural product as it also threatens entire communities’ history and cultural roots. Extreme weather events, including sudden, intense rainfall and droughts, are making it increasingly difficult for Prosecco producers. These conditions lead to soil erosion and slope failures in the steep vineyards of Northern Italy. This year, the vineyards experienced massive spring rainfall and hailstones,…

  • Don’t Whine, Drink Wine

    Don’t Whine, Drink Wine

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  • Decanter World Wine ‘Value’ Awards

    Decanter World Wine ‘Value’ Awards

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    Decanter has introduced a ‘Value’ category this year for wines that score above 95 (out of 100). A wine is considered ‘Value’ if it’s priced at £14.99 or below. In 2023, the wines in the Value category made up 13.48% of the 705 Gold medals given out. The criteria for these wines include exceptional fruit qualities, a vibrant regional style and overall tastiness. It’s important to view these scores in relation to the entire group of entries, especially given that only 3.86% of Gold medals were awarded. Lacrima Baccus, Summum Reserva Cava Brut, Penedès, Spain 2018Supplier: lacrimabaccus.comDescription: Complex, focused nose…

  • How Long To Keep Wines

    How Long To Keep Wines

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    Contrary to popular belief, not all wines get better with age. While some wines do indeed mature well, many are meant to be enjoyed in their youth. Only a small 1% of wines are designed to be stored for extended periods. The vast majority are best drunk when they’re fresh, lively and bursting with their inherent characteristics. Price as an Indicator You might think that the more expensive a wine, the better it ages. While there’s some truth to this, it’s not a hard and fast rule. Wines priced below £25 are typically meant for immediate consumption and are unlikely…

  • Greyfriars Non Vintage Cuvée

    Greyfriars Non Vintage Cuvée

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    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…

  • New Zealand Wine Exports Surged 23%

    New Zealand Wine Exports Surged 23%

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    Simon Judge

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    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.…

  • WineGB Trade & Press Tasting

    WineGB Trade & Press Tasting

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    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…

  • Ripasso

    Ripasso

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    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…

  • The Decline of Bordeaux Wine

    The Decline of Bordeaux Wine

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    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…

  • 1874 Autumn – Walkaround tasting

    1874 Autumn – Walkaround tasting

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    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…

  • Red Wines for Summer, under £10

    Red Wines for Summer, under £10

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    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…

  • WVine

    WVine

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Pick Lists


Majestic | The Wine Society | Tesco | Waitrose | Sainsbury’s | Morrisons | Co-op | Asda | Aldi | Lidl | £7 and Under | Over £20

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Buying | Menu Ordering | Labels | Drinking | Storing | Pairing

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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