Simon Judge
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Borsa Vini Italiani
In January 2026 I attended Borsa Vini Italiani, run by the Italian Trade Agency. There were 43 producers presenting more than 300 wines. I previously attended this tasting in 2024, when I focused on seeking out more atypical Italian offerings by grape variety. This time I went with a wider remit, but there were still far too many wines to try. I decided to narrow my focus a little and look only at reds. As the majority of exhibitors were looking for representation in the UK, I am showing indicative European retail pricing in euros. Here are my picks: Fattoria…
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How Wine Choices Signal Who We Are
New research from the University of Zurich looks at how wine choices communicate something about the drinker’s values, depending on the situation in which the wine is chosen. Using experiments with over 1,200 wine buyers, the authors show that consumers consistently read meaning into visible wine cues such as bottle design, back-label stories and tasting notes, and that these meanings influence what people choose in different contexts. The key finding is that wines are interpreted as expressing different kinds of values. Traditional labels, heritage stories, famous critics’ scores and references to prestige tend to signal reliability, achievement, status and respect…
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Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo and Spritz
Majestic kindly sent me some samples of non-alcoholic Aperitivo and Spritz drinks to try for Dry January. I tasted them side by side, which allowed me to compare and contrast. Each was served over ice, mixed 50:50 with tonic. Martini Vibrante Non-Alcoholic AperitivoThis Italian aperitivo is infused with artemisia, bergamot, chamomile and a mix of other key botanicals. It uses de-alcoholised wine as its base and sits at under 0.5% alcohol by volume. The colour is a bit artificial-looking, like strawberry jelly, which might surprise those expecting a more natural hue. Flavour-wise, it delivers the familiar bittersweet style of vermouth,…
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Silbador Carménère
Silbador Carménère by Emiliana is produced in Chile with an approach rooted firmly in organic farming and ecological balance. Named after the Silbador, an insect-eating bird that roams their vineyards, this wine owes part of its existence to a natural cycle where birds, insects and animals work in harmony. Without the need for pesticides, Emiliana’s land flourishes. Hens, geese and alpacas roam freely between the vines, while flowers sown between the rows draw in beneficial insects that keep vine-damaging pests in check. The result is a living, breathing vineyard buzzing with biodiversity. Made entirely from Carménère grapes, this 2023 vintage…
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200% Tariff Threat on French Wines
Reuters is reporting that Donald Trump has threatened to impose 200% tariffs on French wines and champagne, framing it as leverage to push Emmanuel Macron to join a new US-led “Board of Peace” initiative. A source close to Macron said the French president plans to decline the invitation, and Trump publicly dismissed Macron’s stance while suggesting the tariff threat could change his mind. On trade, Reuters notes that EU wines and spirits entering the US currently face a 15% tariff and that the United States is the biggest market for French wine and spirits, with 2024 shipments valued at about…
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No.1 Grüner Veltliner
I first discovered and took a liking to this wine during a Waitrose press tasting. Produced by Markus Huber at his family-run winery in the Traisental Valley, it is made entirely from Grüner Veltliner grapes grown on a single estate. The vines are planted on slopes that run beside a river and the wine spends four months maturing on its lees, adding depth and character. It’s suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. This is the 2024 vintage, with an alcohol content of 12%. In appearance, it has a pale lemon hue. Aromatically, there’s a fresh burst of citrus alongside ripe…
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25 Kooliburra Shiraz Dumped in Countryside
The East Lothian Courier has reported that more than 25 identical bottles of red wine have been found dumped along a countryside footpath linking New Winton and Macmerry, sparking concerns about environmental damage and possible underage drinking. The litter, which also included milk cartons and sweet wrappers, was discovered beside a path running off the B6355 through farmland that is home to deer and other wildlife. The rubbish was spotted by a walker during a New Year’s Day walk. She described seeing a large number of identical bottles scattered in ditches and hedges, all appearing to be the same Australian…
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Georges Duboeuf Fleurie
Georges Duboeuf Fleurie comes from one of France’s most well-known wine merchants. Founded by Georges Duboeuf (1933–2020), often dubbed the “King” or “Pope of Beaujolais” for his global promotion of Beaujolais wines, particularly the Beaujolais Nouveau, the business remains in the family, now under the direction of his son Franck. This Fleurie is made entirely from Gamay and sits at 13.5% ABV. Sometimes promoted as the Georges Duboeuf ‘Flower Label’ Fleurie, this 2023 vintage brings a fresh design shift, now featuring an abundance of flowers on the label instead of a single flower. It previously received a strong 91-point score…
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Learn About Wine Through Cause and Effect
The Sommpour’s WSET Diploma D3 Audible Cheat Sheets, created by Anna Belani-Ellis, form a structured audio learning series following the official WSET Diploma D3 “Wines of the World” syllabus. Released progressively on Substack, the episodes can be streamed or downloaded, allowing students to study flexibly while maintaining continuity with the textbook. They are not summaries or shortcuts but explanatory tools designed to strengthen understanding of the causal links that define wine style, quality, and price, precisely the analytical reasoning required at Diploma level. Each recording stays fully aligned with the syllabus and focuses on using facts rather than memorising them.…
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Victorious
This is an interesting new release from Domaine des Malandes, best known for its fine Chablis, though this wine takes a different direction. It’s made using a new grape variety and is produced with a strong focus on sustainability. The fruit comes from a single vineyard in Moulin-à-Vent, Beaujolais, owned by grower Richard Rottiers. The wine is made by his sister, Amandine Marchive, at the Malandes winery in Chablis. It’s produced entirely from Voltis, a hybrid grape originally introduced in Champagne. Voltis is well suited to warm, damp conditions and is valued for its disease resistance, which reduces the need…
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Why There are No Luxury Wines, Only Prestigious Ones
Jean-Noël Kapferer, Emeritus Professor of Marketing at HEC Paris and expert in prestige and luxury management, explores how the concept of luxury applies across different cultures and industries, with particular insight into wine. He defines luxury as something desirable but inaccessible, needlessly expensive, and emotionally powerful. True luxury, he argues, must be “somewhere else”, distinct, exclusive, and difficult to attain. When discussing wine, Kapferer is deliberately provocative, asserting that “there are no luxury wines,” only wines that may form part of a luxurious lifestyle. Even the most expensive bottles remain accessible to the wealthy and therefore cannot reach the same…
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Ochoa Calendas Tempranillo
I came across this wine while dining at South Hill Park. The Spanish Tempranillo caught my eye on the menu and I was intrigued to see it wasn’t labelled as a Rioja. I wondered whether it might be from Ribera del Duero instead. While I waited for it to arrive, I did a quick Internet search and discovered it came from Navarra. The Ochoa family has been making wine since 1845. Today, the sixth generation is at the helm, with Javier Ochoa having passed the reins to his two daughters, Adriana and Beatriz. Their 145 acres of vineyards and olive…
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The Society’s Portuguese Red
The Society’s Portuguese Red, from Península de Setúbal in Portugal, south-east of Lisbon, is made by the family-owned Casa Ermelinda Freitas. This winery has been in operation since 1920 and remains under the guidance of successive generations of dynamic women. Their wines have impressed me previously, especially those made with the Touriga Nacional grape, but this bottle offers something different. Here, Castelão takes the lead, supported by a touch of Alicante Bouschet. Castelão, also known locally as Periquita or João de Santarém, is occasionally used in Port production, while Alicante Bouschet is often blended in to deepen the colour. This…
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Meta No Longer Recommending Wine Pages
The Northwest Wine Report says that Meta has begun telling many wine, beer and spirits-related businesses that their Facebook Pages will no longer be recommended by Facebook’s algorithms, which those businesses say is already reducing reach and, by extension, revenue. The author says the change appears to have hit at least hundreds and possibly far more businesses, with confirmations from wineries, retailers and related organisations across several US West Coast states and at least one report from Denmark, while Instagram does not appear to be affected so far. A major theme is confusion about both the message and the reason.…
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Zebra Striping
Zebra striping means alternating glasses of wine with glasses of water throughout an occasion, creating a back-and-forth pattern rather like stripes. It is used to help slow the pace of drinking, support hydration, and make it easier to keep track of how much wine you have had, which can reduce the chance of feeling unwell or getting too intoxicated. It is important to understand what it does and does not do. Drinking water between wines does not dilute the alcohol in your bloodstream, for driving, or make you sober quicker, because your body still has to metabolise the alcohol over…
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Palais St Vigni Côtes du Rhône
I first encountered this wine at the Tesco Autumn Winter Press Tasting, where it immediately stood out for being full of flavour and impressively priced. At the time I mentioned that it was supplied by Maison Johanès Boubée in France, which on further digging turns out to be part of Carrefour. They manage the logistics and exporting of this wine, which is actually bottled in France by Caves Saint-Ronain. This 2023 vintage is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. This time, it began with a lovely red cherry aroma. However, it didn’t seem to offer much…
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Fines for Not Maintaining Vines
CBS is reporting that California’s new Assembly Bill 732 gives the US Bay Area the power to fine vineyard owners who leave grape crops neglected, because unmanaged vines can harbour pests and disease that then spread to neighbouring vineyards. Establishing a vineyard in the Bay Area is expensive, and in the current market downturn some owners are choosing to stop spending on maintenance, or ‘park’ vineyards for a potential recovery, rather than replanting or pulling vines out. Sonoma County’s agricultural commissioner says the tougher economic climate has already led to vineyard acreage being removed and has also triggered complaints about…
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Tuscany – The Smart Traveller’s Guide
I picked up Tuscany – The Smart Traveller’s Guide because a trip to the region is looking increasingly likely, prompted by a friend who has recently bought a property near there. What I found was a compact but impressively wide-ranging book that works equally well as background reading at home and should be a practical companion once on the ground. The guide is written by Paul Caputo, an award-winning freelance writer whose background in wine, spirits, fine dining and luxury sustainable travel is evident on every page. With two decades of travel behind him, thousands of wines tasted each year,…
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Top 10 + 1 From The Rioja Masters
The The Drinks Business highlights the top-scoring Gran Reserva Riojas from the 2025 Rioja Masters, the UK’s largest Rioja-only blind tasting, held in London and judged by a panel including three Masters of Wine. The event showcased the very best expressions of Gran Reserva, a category known for its long ageing and classic style, with wines ranging from under £20 to £200. Ten red Gran Reservas and one white were selected for their outstanding quality, demonstrating the breadth and depth of what the Rioja region can offer. The reds displayed a range of styles, from traditional, elegant wines with dried…
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The Future of AI for Wine Consumers
I recently read a new article at The Drinks Business about how artificial intelligence is being used to change the direct-to-consumer wine experience. It described a Napa Valley winery using AI concierges, conversational commerce and text messaging to increase engagement and sales. While this may sound innovative, to me as someone who works in IT, it feels like a narrow view of what AI could offer and one that mainly serves the winery rather than the drinker. The approach described is simplistic because it relies on chat tools that are limited to a single producer’s range and perspective. In practice,…
Pick Lists
Majestic | The Wine Society | Tesco | Waitrose | Sainsbury’s | Morrisons | Co-op | Asda | Aldi | Lidl | £7 and Under | Over £20
Did You Know?
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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