Simon Judge
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Wines of Vesevo & Fantini Tasting – Campania & Puglia, Italy
The Vesevo & Fantini wine tasting events at Morrish & Banham (M&B) will showcase Italian wines created by Valentine Sciotto. The events will be hosted at M&B’s Dorchester and Bridport locations on 28th and 29th September 2023. The evenings will include an aperitif, canapés and a guided tasting of six wines. Tickets are £25 and wines tasted will be offered at a 10% discount. I’ll be reporting back on this event.
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Chardonnay-Infused Crackers
A new limited edition cracker has been introduced, perfect for wine and cheese pairings. These crackers, named Club® x Butter Chardonnay Minis, are a collaboration between Club® Crackers and JaM Cellars. The crackers are infused with Butter Chardonnay produced by JaM Cellars, offering a rich and buttery taste. Carrie Foose, the director of brand marketing for Kellogg’s Crackers, mentioned that the creation of this wine-infused cracker was a result of extensive research and development. Each cracker carries hints of citrus, oak, toasted wheat, and the signature buttery texture of Club® Crackers.
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Taking Others’ Unfinished Wine Glasses
A server recently gained online attention after sharing a humorous post on TikTok, highlighting a customer’s audacious act of taking unfinished glasses of wine from another diner’s table. The video, created by TikToker Stephanie Carlisle, depicts her playing both the customer and the server. As the customer, she spots an unfinished wine glass on a neighbouring table and decides to take a sip. When she switches roles to the server, she confronts the customer about the stolen wine, pointing out the potential health risks and etiquettes breached. The video sparked a discussion among viewers, with some sharing their own experiences…
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Ice in Wine Controversy
The Drinks Business reported on a contentious comment on a receipt from The Cornish Arms in Brunswick, Victoria, which has reignited the age-old debate about adding ice to wine. The comment, which likened the customer to a ‘bogan’ (akin to the UK’s ‘chav’ or America’s ‘hillbilly’), sparked a heated discussion on social media platforms like Reddit. Some users argued that wine should be consumed at 10-13 degrees, not the typical 25-35 degrees it’s often served at in Australia. Others contended that the wine’s temperature affects its flavour, comparing it to the way cheese’s flavour changes with temperature. Some defended the…
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European Union’s New Wine Regulations
The European Union’s regulatory changes, under Regulation (EU) 2021/2117, are set to take effect on December 8th, 2023. These changes are bound to also affect the labels of wines in the UK that are sold both domestically and within the EU. The EU regulations necessitate that wines sold in the European market declare comprehensive information on ingredients, allergens, nutrition, recycling, and responsible consumption. This information must be translated into 24 languages. Here’s a breakdown of the specific requirements: The primary challenge for wineries is the limitation of label space. The extensive information required on the label may lead to difficulties…
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Supermarket Comparison Sites
Supermarket comparison websites can be handy when shopping for wines. I use them in two ways. The first is for branded wine, where it’s possible to find the current lowest price, and with some platforms, the fluctuation in price over time. The second way is to use them to discover all wines of a certain type, for example ‘Primitivo’ or ‘Pinot Grigio’ and compare offerings and prices. Yealands Sauvignon Blanc Price Over Time Trolley is one of the newest entrants. The historical prices are a bit hidden. You need to click on the chart symbol next to ‘Today’s Price’. Similar…
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Hydrometer
I sometimes use a hydrometer to measure the sweetness of wines (at home!), particularly when I am unsure of the sweetness. While it’s usually easy to assess whites, reds can sometimes be deceiving. A hydrometer measures the specific gravity (SG) of a liquid, which is a measure of its density relative to water. In winemaking, it’s used to determine the sugar content of the must (unfermented grape juice) or wine, which can give an indication of potential alcohol content and sweetness. The specific gravity of a liquid is affected by the amount of sugar dissolved in it. As the sugar…
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Dr L Riesling
Originating from the Mosel region of Germany, this fruity Riesling has a refreshingly crisp flavour despite its low alcohol content of 8.5%. The honey-like sweetness is balanced by the acidity that together provide a lengthy finish. This medium-to-sweet wine ranks amongst the top 25 German Rieslings in the UK on Vivino, with an impressive score of 3.9. The wine pairs excellently with spicy dishes. It’s bottled by the producer, as opposed to Asda. Originally priced at £7, it has decreased to £6.50 for some time now. Available at Asda, it becomes a real bargain when there’s a 25% off offer.
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Discover Greek Wine
On 16th August 2023 at 7pm, Cellar Magnifique in Woking is hosting a wine discovery event. This month’s focus is on Greek wines, guided by the Events Manager and winemaker, Sam. The wines will be paired with authentic Greek food from the local restaurant, Elia. I’ll be reporting back on this event.
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Finish
The wine finish refers to the taste that lingers after tasting a wine. Finish is an important aspect that reveals the depth, complexity and quality of a wine. The finish can vary greatly, being short or long, simple or complex and smooth or harsh. Factors such as the type of grape, the terroir, winemaking techniques, alcohol content, tannins, sweetness and acidity all play a part in shaping the finish. A short finish may indicate a less complex wine, while a long or complex finish often signifies a high-quality, well-balanced wine. Understanding the finish can greatly elevate the wine tasting experience,…
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The Truth About ‘Contains Sulphites’ on a Bottle of Wine
If you’ve ever looked closely at the label of a wine bottle, you might have noticed the words ‘contains sulphites.’ What does this mean and should it concern you? Since 2005, it has been a requirement by law to declare sulphites if the present level is 10 mg/l or higher. This isn’t something new to the winemaking process as mostly wines will contain this small level as sulphur dioxide or its sulphite compounds. Almost all wines have some sulphites added during winemaking or before bottling to protect the wine from oxidation and microbial instability, ensuring that the wine reaches your…
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Best Supermarket Prosecco of 2023
A recent article in the Evening Standard highlights the Best supermarket Prosecco of 2023. According to the Prosecco DOC Consortium, the UK imported 130 million bottles in 2022, reflecting a 3.5% increase from the 2021 volume. However, the Evening Standard’s article contains an inaccuracy, stating that Prosecco is made in the same way as Champagne, which is not the case. The selected Proseccos are: Aldi Castellore Organic ProseccoM&S Conte Priuli Oro ProseccoTesco Finest Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCGSainsbury’s Conegliano Prosecco, Taste the DifferenceASDA Extra Special Valdobbiadene ProseccoWaitrose ProseccoLa Gioiosa Prosecco Gold (Majestic)Kylie Minogue Prosecco RoséMionetto Orange Label ProseccoFreixenet Prosecco D. O. C.
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Rosé Wine Tasting
This was a wine tasting with family and a few friends, accompanied by the online ‘Everything’s Coming Up Rosé – Rosé’ workshop hosted by The Wine Society. The wines in the online tasting were The Society’s Saumur Rosé Brut NV, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence Rosé, Château Vignelaure 2022, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Contesa 2022 and Rosé d’Anjou Gamay-Grolleau, Famille Bougrier 2022. We had some Berne Côtes de Provence Rosé 2020 that needed consuming, so we substituted that for the Coteaux d’Aix en Provence Rosé. I’m not an avid Rosé drinker, but two of the guests are, so the comments here are primarily…
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Decanter’s London Fine Wine Encounter 2023
Priority booking is open for Decanter’s members’ only London Fine Wine Encounter 2023, set for Saturday, 11th November at The Landmark London. The Landmark London will provide an ideal setting for respected wineries to showcase their offerings. Attendees will be immersed in an all-day Grand Tasting event where they can sample over 1,000 exquisite wines from around the globe, chosen by Decanter’s experienced team. The event also offers the rare opportunity to taste Gold, Platinum and Best in Show wines from this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). Additionally, experts behind the labels will be available for interaction and discussion.…
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Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
With a medium body, this wine has flavours of ripe cherries, accompanied by sweet spices and an enticing whisper of smoke. Under Italian wine regulations, a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine must contain at least 85% Montepulciano with Sangiovese permitted to make up to 15% of the remaining blend. The wine is required to be aged for at least 5 months before being released. This wine has been recommended by the Daily Mail and the 2020 vintage has its highest ever rating of 3.9 on Vivino. Mass market Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is often disappointing but this the exception. My wife and I discovered…
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International Wine & Spirit Competition 2023
The IWSC, or the International Wine & Spirit Competition, is an annual competition that assesses and awards the highest-quality wines and spirits from around the world. Unfortunately, the IWSC web site isn’t really designed for consumers and instead it serves producers and retailers who put award stickers on their bottles. You can browse the results but it’s time consuming to narrow in on affordable wines to try. As far I can see, there were no own-brand supermarket gold awards for 2023 and these were the silver awards: Aldi Asda Co-Op Lidl
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Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
The Yealands reserve collection showcases the premium fruit from Yealand’s ‘Seaview’ site in the Awatere Valley. It offers a more pronounced passionfruit and citrus flavour profile compared to the standard Yealands Sauvignon Blanc. I found this to be a great wine, one that I plan to purchase again, though my preference still leans towards the less intense standard Yealands Sauvignon Blanc. While some reviews on Waitrose mention a sharp, mineral taste with an acidic aftertaste, I didn’t experience this myself. Maybe a bad batch? This wine is bottled in New Zealand, unlike the standard Yealands Sauvignon Blanc that is bulk…
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Brut
In the sparkling wine industry, the term ‘Brut’ is used to classify the sweetness level of the wine, which is determined by the amount of residual sugar left in the wine after fermentation. Here is a broad classification of the sweetness levels, starting from the driest:
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Cork Dork
Journalist and hobbyist drinker, Bianca Bosker, initially knew little about wine until she stumbled upon a world dominated by elite sommeliers obsessed with flavour. Intrigued by their passion and almost supernatural tasting abilities, she embarked on a journey to understand their obsession, exploring whether she could become a “cork dork” herself. Through a mixture of humour, curiosity, and scepticism, Bosker investigates this unique culture by looking into underground tasting groups, high-end New York City restaurants, mass-market wine factories in California, and even employing neuroscience technology. Her quest to understand the importance of wine leads to discoveries that might change the…
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Barbeque Food and Wine Pairings
The Wine Society have a free BBQ with wine online event on 22 Aug 2023 7:00 – 08:00 pm. Join Emma Briffett and Ewan Murray from The Society’s Tastings & Events team as they share their guidance on pairing wine with outdoor grill food. They’ll discuss what combinations work well and which ones to avoid. Is it only about robust reds or can more subtle choices shine too? You’re encouraged to prepare your own food for the session, trying out pairings as the conversation unfolds with an opportunity to ask your questions. A recording of the event is available on…
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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