Simon Judge

  • 25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

    25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

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    Simon Judge

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    Sainsbury’s has 25% off wine for Nectar loyalty card holders, sparkling and Champagne, 6 bottles or more, £6 or more (£7 in Wales), from 9 April 2025 to 19 April 2025. See the last Sainsbury’s press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • Morrisons Spring Summer Press Tasting 2025

    Morrisons Spring Summer Press Tasting 2025

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    In April 2025, I was invited to the Morrisons Spring Summer Press Tasting in London, where around 100 wines were on show. A pianist added a touch of class to the event, playing gentle background music as we tasted our way through the selection. Morrisons is showing a focus on sourcing quality wines from less…

  • Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, Half Bottle

    Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, Half Bottle

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    Simon Judge

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    Nyetimber’s Classic Cuvée is their flagship sparkling wine, made in West Sussex using the same traditional method employed in Champagne. Nyetimber has gained serious recognition over the years, most notably through the achievements of their head winemaker, Cherie Spriggs. In 2018, she became the first person outside of Champagne, and the first woman, to be…

  • 25% Off Wine at Tesco

    25% Off Wine at Tesco

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    Simon Judge

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    Tesco has save 25% off wine with Clubcard when you buy 6+ bottles that are £6 and over (£7 in Wales), from 8 April 2025 until 21 April 2025. See the recent Tesco tasting and Picks for tips on what to buy.

  • The Cynic’s Guide to Wine

    The Cynic’s Guide to Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    Sunny Hodge, a wine expert with an education in mechanical engineering, has carved out an unconventional path in the world of wine. Before entering hospitality, he studied engineering and later became a founding team member at Margot, the London restaurant from Paulo de Tarso and Nicholas Jaouën. He then went on to open two independent…

  • Independent Wine Retailer Trends

    Independent Wine Retailer Trends

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    Simon Judge

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    There’s an interesting article at Drinks Retailing News on independent wine retailer trends. Wine remains a key focus for independent UK drinks retailers, with France and Italy once again ranked as the most popular countries of origin, followed by Spain. Areas of growing interest have shifted, with Greece topping the list, closely followed by Portugal,…

  • Villarei Albariño

    Villarei Albariño

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    Simon Judge

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    This 100% Albariño comes from Val do Salnés, the oldest subregion of Rías Baixas in Galicia, Spain. The coolest and wettest area in the region, Val do Salnés offers ideal conditions for slow grape maturation, helping to preserve the natural aromas and vivid flavours that define this wine. Villarei Albariño is aged for six months…

  • On Bulk Shipping and Bottling

    On Bulk Shipping and Bottling

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    Simon Judge

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    Andy Neather has written a thought-provoking article about Bulking Up, the role of bulk wine in the UK wine industry. At Encirc’s bottling plant in Cheshire, huge volumes of wine are imported in bulk from countries like Australia, Chile and the US and bottled locally. This method now accounts for at least 40% of wine…

  • Lidl Spring Wine Tours

    Lidl Spring Wine Tours

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    In early April 2025, I was invited to Lidl’s press wine tasting event in London, where they showcased a selection of wines set to be released as part of their upcoming Wine Tour series for May, June and a few from July. In addition to these limited-time wines, several offerings from Lidl’s core range were…

  • Understanding Champagne

    Understanding Champagne

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    Simon Judge

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    Champagne, the world’s most celebrated sparkling wine, has captivated connoisseurs for centuries with its effervescence, complexity and prestige. This sparkling wine has evolved from humble beginnings to become a global symbol of celebration and luxury, with a rich history, distinctive production methods and diverse styles that continue to evolve to meet contemporary challenges and tastes….

  • The Definitive Champagne Tasting

    The Definitive Champagne Tasting

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    On the first day of April 2025, I attended The Definitive Champagne Tasting, a two-floor event held at the Tate Modern in London. Organised by the UK’s Champagne Shippers’ Association, it marked the first generic Champagne trade tasting in London since 2018. With 51 producers represented, including Champagne houses, cooperatives, and growers, the event featured…

  • Château des Jaume ‘Infusion’

    Château des Jaume ‘Infusion’

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    Château des Jaume Côtes du Roussillon Villages ‘Infusion’ is a wine from one of the renowned estates of the Roussillon region in France. Located near the village of Tautavel, the vineyard sits between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains, producing wines that reflect this unique terroir. This 2022 vintage comes in at 14% ABV…

  • Selling by Glass vs Bottle, Due to EPR

    Selling by Glass vs Bottle, Due to EPR

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    An article by Freddie Joosten in Drinks Retailing News outlines the upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, which takes effect in April 2025 and will change how wine and spirit businesses handle packaging waste costs. Under EPR, companies must pay the full net costs of collecting and recycling all packaging types they use. This includes…

  • Tesco Spring Summer Tasting 2025

    Tesco Spring Summer Tasting 2025

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    In March 2025, I went to the Tesco Spring Summer Press Tasting in London, where a large line-up of 152 wines was showcased, including 19 new wines. One of the most notable developments was Tesco’s move towards greater sustainability in its wine packaging. Working in collaboration with the Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) and various suppliers,…

  • Alain Grignon, Réserve Vieilles Vignes Carignan

    Alain Grignon, Réserve Vieilles Vignes Carignan

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    Sourced from old vines, some over a hundred years in age, in the village of Limoux, within the Languedoc region of southern France, this 2023 vintage wine is a great example of 100% Carignan. However, the age of the vines is a crucial factor here. ‘Vieilles Vignes’ means ‘old vines’ that help lend the wine…

  • 25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

    25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    Sainsbury’s has 25% off wine for Nectar loyalty card holders, sparkling and Champagne, 6 bottles or more, £6 or more, from 25 March 2025 to 30 March 2025. See the Sainsbury’s press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • 25% Off Wine at Tesco

    25% Off Wine at Tesco

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    ·

    By

    Simon Judge

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    Tesco has save 25% off wine with Clubcard when you buy 6+ bottles that are £6 and over (£7 in Wales), from 25 March 2025 until 30 March 2025. See the Tesco tasting and Picks for tips on what to buy.

  • Fleurs de Prairie Sparkling Rosé

    Fleurs de Prairie Sparkling Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    Fleurs de Prairie Sparkling Rosé takes its name from the wildflowers that flourish across the Languedoc vineyards in the South of France. It is produced by the family-owned Les Grands Chais de France Groupe, the makers behind recognisable names such as JP Chenet and Calvet. The packaging makes an immediate impression by eschewing a traditional…

  • Low-priced Gems at Aldi

    Low-priced Gems at Aldi

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    Simon Judge

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    David Williams, in The Guardian Newspaper, explores the challenge of finding quality, affordable wine amidst rising costs, especially due to duty increases and inflation. As mainstream regions become pricier, supermarkets are sourcing from less familiar areas, often presenting these bottles as “hidden gems”. Aldi, in particular, stands out with its “Unearthed” line and other well-priced…

  • Drinks Retailing Trends Report

    Drinks Retailing Trends Report

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    Simon Judge

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    The latest Drinks Retailing Trends Report offers a comprehensive snapshot of the UK wine sector, with a particular focus on the top-selling wine brands and emerging trends. Among still wines, Yellow Tail now holds the top position with sales of £222.8 million, marking a 9.8% increase over the previous year. It overtakes Hardys, which experienced…

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