Simon Judge
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Spier Villa Blue Albariño
Spier Villa Blue Albariño is an intriguing take on the classic Albariño (or Alvarinho), a grape most commonly associated with Galicia in Spain and its Portuguese counterpart. However, this particular wine comes from South Africa, produced by Spier Estate in the premium wine region of Stellenbosch. As one of the Cape’s oldest wineries, Spier has…
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Supermarket Own-Label Wines
Victoria Moore, wine correspondent for The Telegraph, writes about supermarket own-label wines and their quality, often surpassing well-known brands. The article link might be behind a paywall, as The Telegraph typically opens articles for only a short period to be indexed by search engines. Victoria has sampled hundreds of bottles to select two standout own-label…
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Capaia One
Capaia One is the flagship red wine from Capaia Estate, located in the village of Philadelphia within the Tygerberg district, just north of Cape Town, South Africa. The estate benefits from a climate that allows the grapes to ripen slowly, resulting in wines with concentrated and complex flavours. Made by winemaker Stephan von Neipperg, who…
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How Climate Change is Affecting Bordeaux Wine Producers
New research examines the impact of climate change on the income of wine producers in the Bordeaux region. The study analyses the relationship between climate variables, vineyard characteristics and economic performance. The findings indicate that rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns significantly affect vineyard yields and income, with high temperatures during the bloom period (May…
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25% Off Wine at Asda
Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, 6 bottles or more, from 20 February 2025 until 2 March 2025. See the Autumn/Winter Press tasting for tips on what to buy.
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HJ Fabre Malbec Barrel Selection
HJ Fabre Malbec Barrel Selection 2023 is a wine from Patagonia, Argentina, made from 30-year-old vines. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, it has an ABV of 14.5%. The name Fabre may sound French, and for good reason, this Malbec is the creation of Bordeaux-born Hervé Fabre. Discovering Argentina in the 1990s, Hervé…
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25% Off at Morrisons
Morrisons has 25% discount on 6 or more bottles of wine, £6 or more until 16 February 2025. Just been in to Morrisons and many wines are ALSO discounted so you get double discount.Their web site is very poor and doesn’t show the deals.Here are wines from my Picks: Morrisons The Best Marques de los…
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The Best of Rioja 2025
In February 2025, I attended Tim Atkin MW’s Best of Rioja tasting in London. Like the inaugural event last year, this was a truly rare occasion, bringing together an incredible collection of wines in one room. In this year when Rioja celebrates the 100th anniversary of the creation of its Denominación de Origen, the event…
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Domaine Tabordet Organic Pouilly Fumé
A new wine from Majestic, made using the Sauvignon Blanc grape. This wine comes from the Pouilly-Fumé appellation in the Loire Valley and is the 2023 vintage with an alcohol content of 12.5%. The wine has a light golden hue and requires quite a bit of warmth to fully reveal itself. It is a gentle…
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Understanding Old Vines
Old vines have long captivated the imagination of wine enthusiasts and producers alike, often associated with wines of exceptional quality and character. But what exactly constitutes an ‘old vine’ and do these venerable plants truly produce superior wines? This aspect of viticulture is both intriguing and complex, requiring an understanding of the term itself and…
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Holy Communion Must Be Alcoholic
The Independent newspaper is reporting that The Church of England has reaffirmed its stance that only alcoholic wine made from fermented grape juice can be used during Holy Communion. This decision has sparked disappointment due to the perceived injustice towards individuals who cannot consume alcohol due to health reasons. This ruling has led to criticism…
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Unrepresented Wines
My original intention was always to focus on UK-centric wines, those available here in the UK. I attend a wide range of tastings, including those hosted by retailers, importers and specific wine regions. The region-specific tastings often feature some wines that are ‘unrepresented,’ meaning they do not yet have a UK importer. Initially, I avoided…
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Definition by Majestic Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Majestic Wine has expanded its Definition range with a new wine made exclusively for them by the well-known Californian producer, Schug Winery. This Pinot Noir comes from Sonoma’s cool-climate region, an area greatly influenced by marine fog and the winds of the Petaluma Gap, lending a unique character to the wine. The winery’s founder, Walter…
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Oxidative Style
The oxidative style of wine is a deliberate winemaking approach that exposes the wine to controlled amounts of oxygen during production. This technique enhances secondary aromas, flavours, and textural complexity, distinguishing oxidative wines from their reductive counterparts. Wines made in this style often exhibit savoury and umami flavours, nutty aromas, a deeper colour compared to…
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Gonzalez Byass 21st Birthday Tasting
2025 marks 21 years since Gonzalez Byass established its UK office and to celebrate, the company hosted an extensive tasting in London, showcasing its diverse and expanding portfolio. The company now represents wines from ten different countries, including renowned producers such as Vilarnau Cava, Champagne Deutz, Domäne Wachau, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Jackson Estate, Wirra Wirra, Ashton…
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Aluado Alicante Bouschet
Aluado Alicante Bouschet is a wine that unusually uses the Alicante Bouschet grape, a variety I’ve found impressive in past Portuguese tastings. This grape is more commonly used in blends, making it quite rare to encounter a wine where it features predominantly or exclusively. This wine comes from Quinta de Porto Franco family estate, situated…
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Lidl Winter Wine Tours 2025
In early February 2025, I attended Lidl’s press wine tasting event in London, where they showcased wines set to be available from either the end of February and the end of March as part of their Wine Tour series. Alongside these limited-time selections, there were also a few wines from their core range. Lidl’s Wine…
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Josh Cellars Reserve Bourbon Barrel Zinfandel
Previously, I really enjoyed Josh Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at a past Majestic press tasting, so I thought I’d try the Zinfandel and I’m glad I did. Aged in charred bourbon barrels for two months, this 2021 vintage has an ABV of 14.5%. At first, the aroma was a little subdued, but after just half…
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L’Occhiolino Rosato
This is, in essence, a Rosé Lambrusco, but if your know Lambrusco from the distant past, don’t be too quick to judge. Unlike the overly sweet versions of the past, this one is crisp, dry, and refreshingly modern. Lambrusco is making a well-deserved comeback, and for those in the know, it’s a grape well worth…
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Calvet Sancerre Rosé
This Rosé is from the Loire Valley, France, with an ABV of 12.5%, vintage 2023. It has a pale pink colour with an aroma of red fruits. The taste is dry but not overly so, with a strong strawberry taste. What makes it particularly great is the round and mellow mouthfeel. Many other French rosé…
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