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Simon Judge

  • The Best Organic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

    The Best Organic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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    This has been a long-time favourite of mine. At the last Morrisons press tasting, I found that the 2024 vintage was even better than usual and it ended up being my favourite red of the whole tasting. More recently, I had to try it again when I saw it on offer, just to check it was still as good as it had seemed at the tasting. It is made by Citra Vini from 100% Montepulciano grapes. Citra Vini is the largest wine-growing cooperative in Abruzzo, made up of around 5,000 family-run vineyards. The cooperative has also ranked among the world’s…

  • Lidl Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

    Lidl Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

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    I came across this 2020 vintage Amarone at a Lidl press tasting, where I thought it was the best wine on show, clearly better than the previous 2019 vintage and easily the best supermarket Amarone I have come across so far. Since then, I had been keeping an eye out for it to appear in store, as it only seemed to be the earlier 2019 vintage that was actually on the shelves. I finally managed to find a bottle in a different store from the one I usually visit and it is every bit as excellent as I remembered. At…

  • Rose & Rose Sauvignon Blanc

    Rose & Rose Sauvignon Blanc

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    I first came across this wine at a Majestic press tasting and thought it was one of the best bottles on show. I had to try it again to see what it was like outside a line-up of 120 wines, how it changed with temperature and whether it would still impress. It comes from Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. Back in 1978, the Rose family became the first to grow grapes in what is now known as the Golden Mile, after winning approval to plant in a region where it had previously not been permitted and where there had been strong opposition.…

  • Mystery Wine Bottle Dumping Leaves East Yorkshire Villagers Baffled

    Mystery Wine Bottle Dumping Leaves East Yorkshire Villagers Baffled

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    The BBC is reporting that residents in the Hotham and North Cave villages are frustrated by a strange and persistent case of fly-tipping, where large quantities of empty Sauvignon Blanc bottles have been dumped along rural lanes for months. One farmer reported collecting as many as 48 bottles in a single day, with many identified as Villa Maria, a relatively premium wine. Despite the scale of the issue, East Riding of Yorkshire Council says it has received very few reports and is urging residents to log every incident so it can assess enforcement action. Locals have raised concerns about safety…

  • UK Supermarkets Spark Champagne Price War Before Easter

    UK Supermarkets Spark Champagne Price War Before Easter

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    The Drinks Business reports that a new round of pre Easter Champagne discounting has hit the major supermarkets, with Tesco and Sainsbury’s reviving 25% off when buying six bottles and Waitrose following with a milder offer. The article says the deals run until 6 April at Tesco and Sainsbury’s, and highlights how cuts on brands such as Perrier Jouët, Moët & Chandon, Bollinger and Nicolas Feuillatte are pushing some bottles to unusually low prices for the category. See my offers page for the best discounts on Champagne and still wine.

  • Tesco Spring/Summer Press Tasting

    Tesco Spring/Summer Press Tasting

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    In late March 2026, I attended the Tesco Spring/Summer press tasting in London. Tesco was awarded Outstanding Supermarket Wine Range at the 2026 IWSC Retail Awards, recognising the breadth of its wine selection. For the new Spring/Summer season, Tesco has launched 70 new wines. There were 150 wines showcased at the tasting, including 39 new additions. There was plenty to explore, but these were the bottles that particularly caught my eye: Nyetimber Classic Cuvée NV, 12% ABV, £42English Sparkling made from 35% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir and 28% Pinot Meunier, using only 100% estate-owned fruit. It is aged on the…

  • ‘Tenacity Old Vine’ Cabernet Sauvignon

    ‘Tenacity Old Vine’ Cabernet Sauvignon

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    Two Hands ‘Tenacity Old Vine’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from old vines in McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley, Australia. This is the 2024 vintage, produced by Two Hands, with the aim of making wines that feel softer and more approachable. The name Tenacity reflects the determination and perseverance of old vines that have become such an enduring part of the Australian landscape. A good tip here is to let it breathe for at least half an hour. In the glass, you get blackcurrant, bay leaf, cedar and leather aromas. On the taste, it leans into fruity black cherry. It is dry,…

  • 25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

    25% Off Wine at Sainsbury’s

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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 25 March to 4 April 2026. See the recent Sainsbury’s press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • Italian Wine Has a Trust Problem and the Official Checker is Not Helping

    Italian Wine Has a Trust Problem and the Official Checker is Not Helping

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    Italian wine has built one of the most serious anti-counterfeit systems in Europe, but it still has a glaring weakness: the last step, where the consumer is supposed to verify the bottle, is not good enough. The official Trust Your Wine app was launched by IPZS in 2017 as the state-backed way to check DOCG and DOC seals by scanning the datamatrix and querying the official system, and it remains available today in the Google Play and Apple app stores. It promises bottle-level authenticity, provenance and traceability. That promise matters because the underlying problem is real. In March 2026, the…

  • A Strong 2025 Vintage Marks the Start of the UK Growing Season

    A Strong 2025 Vintage Marks the Start of the UK Growing Season

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    WineGB has launched its 2025 Harvest Report alongside the updated 2026 Green Book as vineyards enter a new growing season. The report highlights 2025 as an outstanding year for UK viticulture, driven by favourable weather conditions. An early, dry spring followed by exceptional summer heat led to the earliest and ripest grape harvest recorded in the British Isles. Production rose significantly, with a 39% increase on 2024 according to WineGB data, while Food Standards Agency figures show an even larger 55% rise, totalling over 16.5 million bottles. The quality of the crop also improved, with higher ripeness levels, increased potential…

  • 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 25 March 2026 to 7 April 2026 inclusive. See the recent press tasting for tips on what to buy.This offer isn’t available in branches in Scotland, Wales or Jersey, motorway service stations, Welcome Break or petrol stations.

  • Les Grands Chais de France Tasting

    Les Grands Chais de France Tasting

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    In March 2026, I attended a tasting for the on-trade (hospitality) and independent retail sectors, hosted by Les Grands Chais de France at Vagabond Urban Winery in London. Les Grands Chais de France (GCF) is a major French wine and spirits company and one of Europe’s leading wine merchants. Its business spans branded wines, estate wines, sparkling wines and spirits. In the UK, it is perhaps best known in supermarkets for labels such as J.P. Chenet and Calvet, some of which I have previously reviewed. GCF’s focus is strongly international. Around 80% of its turnover comes from exports, with wines…

  • Les Jamelles Syrah

    Les Jamelles Syrah

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    Les Jamelles Syrah is a 2024 vintage from the Languedoc region in the South of France, made by winemaker Catherine Delaunay. It is 100% Syrah. The majority of the wine is made using a traditional South of France method known as “la cocotte”, or the casserole. At the end of alcoholic fermentation, the pomace, skins, seeds and solids are fully submerged. This gives a slow, gentle extraction of tannins and colour pigments, helping to create reds with deeper colour and a softer texture. A portion of the wine is also oak aged. It comes in at 13.5% abv. In the…

  • 25% Off Wine at Tesco

    25% Off Wine at Tesco

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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 24 March 2026 until 6 April 2026. See the recent Tesco tasting for tips on what to buy. Update: I have just been to the Spring/Summer press tasting which gives more tips.

  • Piccini ‘Histrio’ Anfora Toscana Rosso

    Piccini ‘Histrio’ Anfora Toscana Rosso

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    ‘Histrio’ Anfora Toscana Rosso, by Piccini, is a blend of Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera, given 12 weeks maturing in special clay amphorae, which is where the name comes from. As a bit of context, clay is slightly porous, so tiny amounts of oxygen work their way in over time. It behaves a little like oak in that sense, but without bringing any woody character along with it. What you get instead is softer tannins, a rounder feel in the mouth and less of that hard edge as the wine settles. This is the 2022 vintage, sitting at 13% ABV. The…

  • BBC Good Food – Crémant

    BBC Good Food – Crémant

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    BBC Good Food’s round-up presents Crémant as a strong middle ground between Prosecco and Champagne, made by the traditional method, generally drier and more layered than Prosecco, but usually much cheaper than Champagne. They mention that Crémant now covers sparkling wines from eight French regions, so styles vary quite a bit, from lean and citrusy to richer, more brioche-led bottles. The wines mentioned are: Kew Gardens Crémant de Loire Rosé Brut £18.99 Laithwaites. Hunter’s Miru Miru Marlborough Brut NV £19.99 Laithwaites. Roche Lacour Crémant de Limoux 2022 £15.99 Laithwaites. Arthur Metz Crémant d’Alsace Organic Brut £15 Ocado. Moillard-Thomas Crémant de…

  • 25% Off Wine at Asda

    25% Off Wine at Asda

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    Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, 6 bottles or more, from 20 March 2026 until 6 April 2026. See the latest press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • 25% Off Wine at Morrisons

    25% Off Wine at Morrisons

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    Morrisons has 25% discount on 6 or more bottles of wine, More card price, £6 or more until 6 April 2026. See the recent press tasting for my picks.

  • Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Viognier

    Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Viognier

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    Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Viognier comes from Pays d’Oc in southern France, specifically the Hérault and the Aude Valley in the south of the Minervois. It takes its name from the wild plants, fleurs sauvages, that grow along the edges of the vines. This is 100% Viognier from the 2023 vintage, with 13.5% abv and it spends a few months ageing on the lees. In the glass, it has a light lemon-gold colour. The aroma brings apricot, peach, honeysuckle and ginger. On the taste, there is a strong stone fruit character, with a slightly oily texture that comes…

  • Graffigna AR Malbec

    Graffigna AR Malbec

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    AR Malbec comes from Argentina and from Graffigna, one of the country’s oldest and pioneering wineries, in fact the third-oldest winery in Argentina. The vineyards sit in both San Juan and Mendoza and this particular wine was developed exclusively for the UK market. It is the 2024 vintage, comes in at 12.5% ABV, and 20% of the wine was aged in contact with oak for three months. In the glass it has a slight purple colour. The aroma brings black plum, violets and a gentle touch of spice. On the taste, dark cherry and cocoa come through. It sits on…

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TipS – Infographics


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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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