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Simon Judge

  • 100 AWEsome Wines

    100 AWEsome Wines

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    100 AWEsome Wines has been updated for 2026, created by the Association of Wine Educators, or AWE. The website acts as an annual recommendation list, helping people choose bottles that combine character, quality and value. The idea behind the project is simple. Professional wine educators taste a wide range of wines through their work, so their recommendations are intended to offer informed, unbiased guidance for everyday buyers. The site is designed to make wine shopping less intimidating. Its recommendations are organised by both style and price, with categories including white, rosé, red, sparkling, prestige, no and low alcohol, sweet or…

  • Kleine Zalze Cap Classique Brut

    Kleine Zalze Cap Classique Brut

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    This wine from Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, is a traditional method sparkling wine. It’s made using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes and sits at 12% ABV. In the glass it has a pale salmon colour with loads of lively, fine beads that keep on coming. Aroma wise it gives off fresh apple and citrus, with a gentle biscuit nuance. It’s dry on taste, apple and citrus upfront, then that richer depth kicks in with bright, high acidity keeping everything fresh. The finish is long, the sort that makes you want another sip before you’ve even put the glass down.…

  • Vinha do Fava Touriga Nacional

    Vinha do Fava Touriga Nacional

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    Vinha do Fava Touriga Nacional comes from Casa Ermelinda Freitas, a producer going back to 1920. It is from Portugal’s Península de Setúbal and the estate has been run by three generations of women. Casa Ermelinda Freitas is also one of the biggest producers in Portugal. The estate bought this vineyard from Senhor Fava, one of their long-standing top growers, when he retired. The wine was then named Vinha do Fava in his honour. This wine has picked up 29 Gold medals across five vintages and was named Best Portuguese Wine by The Independent. It also carries a strong 4.1…

  • Spring Reds From the Loire

    Spring Reds From the Loire

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    A new Guardian Newspaper article argues that spring is a great time for light, youthful red wines, especially from the Loire Valley. Richard Godwin suggests that, while alcohol warnings are real, some reds are a better choice than others, ideally young, low in tannin, not too sweet, around 12.5% ABV, and drunk with food. Godwin says the Loire is particularly good for these fresher reds. While the region is famous for whites, he highlights its spring-friendly reds made from Gamay, Pinot noir and Cabernet Franc grapes. He notes that Loire Gamay is lively and fruity, Loire Pinot Noir can be…

  • Enclos de la Clarière

    Enclos de la Clarière

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    Enclos de la Clarière comes from the Castillon side of the Saint-Émilion border. “Enclos” in the name points to a distinct, enclosed single vineyard parcel, and this wine comes from one such site, just six metres from some of Saint-Émilion’s most expensive Grands Crus Classés. Tony Laithwaite’s long connection with Castillon led him to buy the estate from his mentor, Jean Cassin, with the aim of showing that Castillon’s limestone terroir could stand shoulder to shoulder with neighbouring Saint-Émilion. This is the 2022 vintage, made from 100% Merlot, with a year of ageing in a mix of new and seasoned…

  • Bleasdale The Wild Fig

    Bleasdale The Wild Fig

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    Bleasdale The Wild Fig comes from what was the first winery in the relatively cool-climate Langhorne Creek, founded way back in 1850 and it is still owned by the Potts family. This is a Rhône-style GSM blend, Shiraz 67%, Grenache 26%, Mourvèdre 7%, spends six months ageing in large oak casks. It is 13.5% ABV and is from the 2022 vintage. It has picked up a slew of Australian wine awards. In the glass you get blueberry aroma alongside clove and pepper and a savoury nuance to it all, with the colour showing a slightly browning edge. It drinks dry…

  • The Best of Rioja 2026

    The Best of Rioja 2026

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    In March 2026, I went to Tim Atkin’s The Best of Rioja, a tasting showcasing more than 300 wines from 39 producers. It was particularly timely, coming just as Rioja had celebrated 100 years as Spain’s oldest DOC. Many of the wines were poured by the producers themselves, which made it possible to talk to them directly, giving real insight into the people and stories behind the wines. The producers present were among those featured in Tim Atkin’s Rioja Report, where he classifies bodegas and cooperatives and awards scores to their wines. While the tasting provided recommended prices for most…

  • Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico

    Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico

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    Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico comes from an estate in Panzano in Chianti, with a documented history reaching all the way back to 1408. “Classico” matters here because it means the wine is from the original, historic Chianti zone, before the area was expanded much more widely. This is 100% Sangiovese, given 12 months of maturation in large Slavonian oak barrels, the 2023 vintage and it sits at 13.5% ABV. In the glass it’s slightly browning. The aroma is led by sour cherry and cloves, with a light touch of oak in the background. On tasting it feels very typical of…

  • Montidori Sangiovese

    Montidori Sangiovese

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    This one comes from Emilia-Romagna in Italy. It’s made from Sangiovese, the grape behind Chianti, with a touch of appassimento, that dried-grape technique that brings extra mid-taste richness. It has a high 4.1 scrore on Vivino and this is the 2024 vintage. You get red fruit and caramel on the aroma straight away. Full bodied, with ripe fruit, then that caramel-tinged, gently spicy, long finish that hangs around in a very satisfying way. I happened to taste it alongside a Chianti Classico and it felt much rounder, but also less oaky than the Chianti, which made it really easy to…

  • In the UK, 73% of Alcohol is Bought From Retail Rather Than Hospitality

    In the UK, 73% of Alcohol is Bought From Retail Rather Than Hospitality

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    A new report from Drinkaware examines the shift of alcohol consumption in the UK from pubs and bars to the home. Around 73% of alcohol is now bought from supermarkets or convenience stores for home use, and adults are about twice as likely to drink at home weekly as they are to drink in pubs or restaurants. Although most home drinking is moderate, the report argues that risk can build over time because drinking at home is frequent and less visible. A small group of heavier drinkers account for a large share of alcohol purchases and about 8.2 million UK…

  • Sinkhole Uncovers 100-Year-Old Wine Cellar Beneath Golf Course

    Sinkhole Uncovers 100-Year-Old Wine Cellar Beneath Golf Course

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    The BBC has reported that a sinkhole at Davyhulme Park Golf Club in Greater Manchester has revealed a brick wine cellar that had been sealed for over 100 years beneath the 13th hole. Greenkeeping staff discovered the cellar while investigating what they thought was a collapsed drain. When they dug deeper, they uncovered a brick structure containing dozens of old, hand-blown glass wine bottles. The cellar likely belonged to Davyhulme Hall, a manor house built in the 12th century and demolished in 1888. It may have been a tradesmen’s entrance, and one blocked doorway could lead to additional underground rooms.…

  • 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 6 March to 15 March 2026. See the recent Sainsbury’s 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 15 March 2026. See the recent press tasting for my picks.

  • 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 6 March 2026 until 15 March 2026. See the recent Tesco tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • Santa Lucia Chardonnay and Blue Agave Wine

    Santa Lucia Chardonnay and Blue Agave Wine

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    This is a very different one, from Mexico. It’s a blend of Blue Weber Agave and Chardonnay, with the agave coming from Jalisco’s Highlands and the Chardonnay from Valle de Guadalupe. So what is agave? It’s a thick, fleshy, often spiky succulent plant, with leaves that radiate from a central stem. It’s the only plant used for producing authentic tequila. The “Weber” part of “Blue Weber Agave” is named after the botanist Frédéric Albert Constantin Weber, who is credited with deciding this was the best agave plant to use for tequila production. This wine a fairly dark colour in the…

  • Nebbiolo Day

    Nebbiolo Day

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    In early March 2026 I was at Nebbiolo Day in London, a showcase of 91 Italian producers with hundreds of wines, all made using the Nebbiolo grape. Nebbiolo is a northern Italian story, with the main wine areas being Alto Piemonte, Valtellina, Roero, Barbaresco and Barolo. It’s a grape with real detail and variation, including four different Nebbiolo clones, and it’s said that new Nebbiolo vines need around 10 years to really show their true complexity. I’m not especially interested in ageing wine, or even spending much time trying to predict how a wine will age, so I went looking…

  • Welsh Wine Showcase

    Welsh Wine Showcase

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    In early March ’26 I went to a Welsh Wine Showcase in London. It was a small, focused tasting with 7 producers showing 28 wines, with a few Welsh cheeses alongside. Despite the modest line-up, I came away with a higher-than-usual proportion of wines to be highlighted: St Hilary Sparkling White Wine 2023 11.5% £37.50From Cowbridge, this is a traditional method blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It comes from a low intervention, natural winemaker, with a natural ferment and no filtering or fining. It feels very Champagne-like, with a generous autolytic pastry character despite only 12 months…

  • People’s Choice Wine Awards

    People’s Choice Wine Awards

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    The results of the 2026 People’s Choice Wine Awards are in. With consumer-friendly categories, the awards welcome wines from around the world across every packaging format and price point. Submissions come from a broad mix of sources, including importers, independent retailers, restaurants, bars, supermarkets, and producers. Judging combines professional expertise with real consumer insight. Passionate wine drinkers taste alongside WSET students at all levels and experienced industry professionals. The expert panel includes leading buyers, sommeliers, importers, journalists, retailers, and wine communicators, creating a balanced and credible assessment of every entry. Here are the winners: Mindful Drinking: Alcohol Free (ABV less…

  • Collin Bourisset Fleurie

    Collin Bourisset Fleurie

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    This wine comes from a house established in 1821, based in and around the southern Burgundy to Beaujolais crossroads near Crêches-sur-Saône and La Chapelle-de-Guinchay. “The Authentic” on the label leans into a traditional character and you can feel it’s meant to echo the house’s history rather than chase trends. It’s Gamay grape, 2023 vintage, 13%, with an IWC Silver and 92 points, plus a hefty 97/100 from Club Oenologique. In the glass it sits pale to medium ruby, bright and inviting. The aroma is strawberry and raspberry at first, then rose petals float in and give it that Fleurie charm.…

  • Understanding Rías Baixas

    Understanding Rías Baixas

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    DO Rías Baixas is one of those wine regions whose identity is inseparable from landscape. The name itself comes from Galician and means “lower rías”, with rías being the jagged Atlantic inlets or estuaries that define the south-western coast of Galicia. In the official wine geography, the term is tied to five estuarine systems stretching south from the area below Santiago de Compostela towards Portugal, and that maritime setting is not decorative background but the foundation of the region’s climate, viticulture and taste. Geographically, Rías Baixas sits in Galicia in north-west Spain, mostly in the province of Pontevedra but also…

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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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