Simon Judge

  • UK Vineyard Visits

    UK Vineyard Visits

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    Wine tourism is rapidly becoming a major trend in UK travel, with over 1.5 million visits to vineyards and wineries recorded in 2023, marking a 55% increase from 2022. In response, WineGB has released the Visit a Vineyard Guide 2025 (pdf), a comprehensive resource promoting the diverse and distinctive experiences available across the country. There…

  • Amandla Signature Chenin Blanc

    Amandla Signature Chenin Blanc

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    Amandla Signature Chenin Blanc comes from the Western Cape, South Africa, and is made by an innovative all-black, all-female team, led by winemaker Praisy Dlamini and viticulturalist Ruth Faro. The name “Amandla” translates to “power within us,” a fitting tribute to the passion behind this wine. I have seen this Amandla promoted a lot but…

  • Blueprint Australian Shiraz

    Blueprint Australian Shiraz

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    Waitrose Blueprint Australian Shiraz was a must-try for me because it was a finalist in the People’s Choice Wine Awards in the Red, Own Label category. The Blueprint range from Waitrose is designed to showcase great-value examples of classic wines from around the world, selected for their quality and their faithful representation of both style…

  • How the Wine Industry is Evolving to Stay Relevant to Gen Z

    How the Wine Industry is Evolving to Stay Relevant to Gen Z

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    IWSR is reporting that wine markets are increasingly reliant on drinkers aged 55 and above, as younger legal drinking age consumers are drinking wine less frequently. In Australia, for instance, the number of 18–24-year-olds consuming wine at least monthly halved between 2010 and 2023. This trend presents a challenge for wine producers trying to engage…

  • 200% US Tariffs

    200% US Tariffs

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    The European wine industry is facing a significant threat following US President Donald Trump’s warning of a 200% tariff on EU wine imports. Trade bodies on both sides of the Atlantic have expressed alarm, warning that such a move would devastate European wine producers and severely disrupt the transatlantic alcohol trade. Ignacio Sánchez, secretary general…

  • Affordable English Sparkling Wine

    Affordable English Sparkling Wine

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    Hannah Crosbie in The Guardian newspaper explains how many supermarkets now offer their own-label English sparkling wines, which are sourced from producers and bottled under their name. Some disclose the producer, while others keep it confidential to maintain the brand’s prestige. These own-label sparkling are significantly cheaper than regular English sparkling wines, which usually cost…

  • Irresistible Salice Salentino

    Irresistible Salice Salentino

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    Irresistible Salice Salentino is 2020 vintage made from the Negroamaro grape, with an ABV of 13.5%. Produced by Botter, a brand more popular in Belgium, Germany, Holland and France, this wine comes from Masseria Doppio Passo in Puglia, specifically the municipality of Salice Salentino. It’s aged for at least 24 months, including six months in…

  • Domini Veneti ‘La Casetta’ Valpolicella Ripasso

    Domini Veneti ‘La Casetta’ Valpolicella Ripasso

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    Ripasso wines gain their signature depth and texture from the addition of leftover grape skins from Amarone production, but La Casetta goes a step further. Instead of Amarone, it is re-fermented with the skins from Recioto, a rich, sweet dessert wine, which takes the flavour intensity to another level. Being a Classico Superiore, it comes…

  • People’s Choice Wine Awards Results

    People’s Choice Wine Awards Results

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    The results of the People’s Choice Wine Awards are out. These consumer-friendly categories attract wine submissions from all over the world, embracing all packaging formats and price points. Entries come from a wide range of sources, including importers, independent retailers, restaurants, bars, supermarkets, and producers. The judging process is a unique blend of expert knowledge…

  • Alcohol Reductions

    Alcohol Reductions

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    When it comes to the duty on UK wine, one factor aside from price that is increasingly coming into the equation is alcohol level. By reducing alcohol, producers can actually bring the price of wine down to below what it was before the recent duty increases. Speaking to importers at tastings, this is an ongoing…

  • Bulgarian Tasting

    Bulgarian Tasting

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    In March 2025, I attended the Bulgarian Tasting and Masterclass in London, which specifically focused on the Thracian Lowlands, one of Bulgaria’s two PGI regions. The Masterclass, led by Dr Jamie Goode, centred on Bulgaria’s indigenous grape varieties. The walkaround tasting featuring over 60 wines. Representatives from The Jolly Merchants, Danube Wines, and Swig importers…

  • Understanding Bulgarian Wines

    Understanding Bulgarian Wines

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    Bulgaria encompasses six thousand years of winemaking tradition, now blending ancient heritage with modern innovation. It cultivates both native varieties and international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. With over 90% of production exported to markets across Europe, Asia and North America, Bulgaria’s is experiencing a resurgence as a competitive force in the global…

  • 25% Off Wine at Waitrose

    25% Off Wine at Waitrose

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    Waitrose has 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced between £6 and £100 from 11 March to 18 March 2025 inclusive. See the recent press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • Fine Wines

    Fine Wines

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    An article from The Times (link might no longer be public by the time you read this) discusses how London has become the fine wine capital of the world, boasting more restaurants serving top-tier wines than any other city. However, while some people indulge in extravagant vintages, the real measure of a fine wine isn’t…

  • Emma Marris Sauvignon Blanc

    Emma Marris Sauvignon Blanc

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    Emma Marris, eldest daughter of Brent Marris, the winemaker behind the best-selling Sauvignon Blanc, The Ned, is now making her own mark in the world of wine. Having spent her life immersed in viticulture, Emma fine-tuned her expertise studying at Roseworthy College near Adelaide, and has since stepped into the role of Production Winemaker. This…

  • Negative Wine Reviews

    Negative Wine Reviews

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    You might wonder why all the wines that I and others review seem to be either satisfactory or excellent, with none described as poor. After all, preventing someone buying a bad wine might be seen as important as choosing a good one. When I began posting wine reviews, it became clear that I needed to…

  • Aldi Spring Summer Tasting 2025

    Aldi Spring Summer Tasting 2025

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    I went to the Aldi Spring Summer Press Tasting in early March 2025 in London. Aldi is now the third-largest wine retailer in the UK by volume, across red, white and rosé wines. This year, they expanded their Unearthed and Specially Selected wine ranges and also had some interesting new additions from Washington State. There…

  • Fairview Barrel-Aged Pinotage

    Fairview Barrel-Aged Pinotage

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    Fairview has been producing Pinotage since the 1970s, with vintner Charles Back continuing the tradition with this wine. This particular vintage, from 2022, has an ABV of 13.5% and has been aged in seasoned oak barrels. The 2020 vintage previously won a bronze medal at the International Wine Challenge. Pinotage was created in 1925 by…

  • Moillard-Thomas Chablis

    Moillard-Thomas Chablis

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    Moillard-Thomas Chablis is produced by one of the region’s oldest wine merchants, known for their long-standing expertise. This 2023 vintage is made in stainless steel vats, unoaked as is typical for non-Premier Cru Chablis. The 2021 vintage of this wine was recognised with an IWC award in 2022, highlighting its quality. This Chablis is 12.5%…

  • Rustenberg Stellenbosch Malbec

    Rustenberg Stellenbosch Malbec

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    Simon Judge

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    This bottle was a gift from someone who came to one of my past wine tastings – thanks, Hugh. It already has a few accolades, including 91 points from James Suckling in 2023, 90 points from the Tim Atkin SA Report and a Gold Medal from the Michelangelo Wine and Spirits Awards . At 14%…

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