France

  • Sichel Sauternes

    Sichel Sauternes

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    Simon Judge

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    This one is a bit different as it’s a wine I’ve held onto for 10 years. Normally, I focus on wines that are ready to buy and drink straight away. I don’t usually store or age bottles. But this one’s got a story behind it and it’s taught me a thing or two, particularly about…

  • Blondel Champagne Premier Cru

    Blondel Champagne Premier Cru

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    Simon Judge

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    I first discovered this Champagne at an Asda tasting, where it immediately stood out to me. I was keen to try it again, particularly as I’ve found that some Champagnes I’ve enjoyed at tastings have often not lived up to expectations when revisited later. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case this time. Produced by Blondel from…

  • Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Ventoux

    Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Ventoux

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    Simon Judge

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    This is a red wine that captures the character of the southern Rhône’s Ventoux appellation, an area defined as much by its striking scenery as its distinctive wines. Towering over the region is Mount Ventoux, an iconic landmark known to cycling fans worldwide as a legendary stage finish of Le Tour de France. This 2022…

  • Moillard Grivot Premium Chardonnay

    Moillard Grivot Premium Chardonnay

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    Simon Judge

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    Moillard Grivot Premium Chardonnay makes a statement with its wax seal and substantial, weighty bottle. It gives off a strong impression of luxury and quality, though some may view these touches less favourably from an environmental standpoint. The grapes are mainly sourced from vineyards in the Mâconnais, a region in the south of Burgundy that…

  • Moillard Thomas Santenay Rouge

    Moillard Thomas Santenay Rouge

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    Simon Judge

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    Moillard Thomas Santenay Rouge 2022 is a 100% Pinot Noir from Burgundy, aged for 12 months in oak barrels. It’s a wine that impresses straight from the bottle, needing no time to open up. For it’s vintage, the light colour shows a very slight touch of browning, correctly suggesting it leans towards a savoury style….

  • La Belle Angèle Rosé

    La Belle Angèle Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    La Belle Angèle Rosé takes its name from a figure of the early 20th century, a muse of the French Impressionists whose charm and elegance inspired many. Produced by La Belle Angèle Wines in Nuits-Saint-Georges, France, the bottle itself reflects a refined aesthetic and the producer’s website is very well presented – a rare case…

  • Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace

    Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace

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    Simon Judge

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    Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace is made from 75% Pinot Blanc and 25% Pinot Gris from Alsace in France. This non-vintage wine sits at 12% ABV and undergoes its second fermentation in bottle, in the same way as Champagne, and is aged for 18 months on its lees. I first discovered it at the Sainsbury’s…

  • Moillard Thomas Mâcon Rouge

    Moillard Thomas Mâcon Rouge

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    Simon Judge

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    Moillard-Thomas is in Nuits-Saint-Georges, in the Côtes de Nuits and is one of the oldest wine merchants in the region. This Mâcon Rouge, 2024 vintage, 12.5%, from Burgundy, France, is made entirely from Gamay grapes. This light purplish wine starts with a fruity aroma, gently underpinned by a savoury note that hints at something earthy,…

  • Calvet Sancerre

    Calvet Sancerre

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    Simon Judge

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    This Calvet Sancerre 2024, 12.5%, is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire region of France. It is grown on a hillside overlooking the left bank of the Haute Loire. In the glass, it has a pale yellow colour with delicate green reflections. Even when served very cold, it releases a strong and enticing aroma of…

  • Definition Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

    Definition Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2018 vintage of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru comes from the right bank of the River Garonne, from the family-run Château du Roy. It is made from 35-year-old vines and sits at 13.5% ABV. While it’s Merlot-led, it also includes some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. I almost didn’t review this bottle. On opening, it was…

  • Les Dauphins Cotes du Rhone

    Les Dauphins Cotes du Rhone

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    Simon Judge

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    Les Dauphins wines take their cue from the vibrant spirit of 1920s Paris, a time when jazz, art, fine food and wine flourished and when the Rhône Valley saw the formation of its first co-operatives. This cultural backdrop shapes the character of these wines, which are made by the Union des Vignerons des Côtes du…

  • Provence Rosé Tasting

    Provence Rosé Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In April 2025, I joined a virtual masterclass hosted by Ray O’Connor MW, ambassador for Vins de Provence. Aimed at trade and press, the session tackled the question: “Provence rosé: are they all the same?” and explored the breadth and diversity the region has to offer. Ray took us through the regions and sub-regions of…

  • Understanding Provence Rosé

    Understanding Provence Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    History Provence, located in the sun-drenched south of France, is globally renowned for producing some of the finest rosé wines. Its legacy in winemaking stretches back to 600 BC with the founding of Marseille and the planting of the region’s first vineyard. Over the centuries, wine production in Provence evolved under the influence of monasteries…

  • Understanding Champagne

    Understanding Champagne

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    Simon Judge

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    Champagne, the world’s most celebrated sparkling wine, has captivated connoisseurs for centuries with its effervescence, complexity and prestige. This sparkling wine has evolved from humble beginnings to become a global symbol of celebration and luxury, with a rich history, distinctive production methods and diverse styles that continue to evolve to meet contemporary challenges and tastes….

  • The Definitive Champagne Tasting

    The Definitive Champagne Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    On the first day of April 2025, I attended The Definitive Champagne Tasting, a two-floor event held at the Tate Modern in London. Organised by the UK’s Champagne Shippers’ Association, it marked the first generic Champagne trade tasting in London since 2018. With 51 producers represented, including Champagne houses, cooperatives, and growers, the event featured…

  • Château des Jaume ‘Infusion’

    Château des Jaume ‘Infusion’

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    Simon Judge

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    Château des Jaume Côtes du Roussillon Villages ‘Infusion’ is a wine from one of the renowned estates of the Roussillon region in France. Located near the village of Tautavel, the vineyard sits between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains, producing wines that reflect this unique terroir. This 2022 vintage comes in at 14% ABV…

  • Alain Grignon, Réserve Vieilles Vignes Carignan

    Alain Grignon, Réserve Vieilles Vignes Carignan

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    Simon Judge

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    Sourced from old vines, some over a hundred years in age, in the village of Limoux, within the Languedoc region of southern France, this 2023 vintage wine is a great example of 100% Carignan. However, the age of the vines is a crucial factor here. ‘Vieilles Vignes’ means ‘old vines’ that help lend the wine…

  • Moillard-Thomas Chablis

    Moillard-Thomas Chablis

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    Simon Judge

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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%…

  • How Climate Change is Affecting Bordeaux Wine Producers

    How Climate Change is Affecting Bordeaux Wine Producers

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    Simon Judge

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    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…

  • Domaine Tabordet Organic Pouilly Fumé

    Domaine Tabordet Organic Pouilly Fumé

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    Simon Judge

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    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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