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France

  • Louis Couturier Crémant de Bordeaux Rosé

    Louis Couturier Crémant de Bordeaux Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    A sparkling Rosé from the heart of the Entre-deux-Mers, the stretch of land between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Dry in style and produced by Les Grands Chais de France, a large cooperative and négociant house known for its wide portfolio across Bordeaux and beyond, this wine comes in at 11.5% ABV. It is made predominantly from Merlot at 90% with a touch of Cabernet Franc making up the rest. Its quality has not gone unnoticed, earning a Bronze medal at the IWC 2025. It pours with a rose gold hue, throwing off a fine stream of small bubbles in…

  • Comte de Saint Emmanuel

    Comte de Saint Emmanuel

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    Simon Judge

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    This arrived by accident, a substitute for a bottle that never turned up. The name may sound grand, but it’s a white label name without particular provenance. However, behind it is the producer Amand Chaperon, with grapes coming from the Entre-Deux-Mers region. A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it promised familiarity, though expectations were kept low given its 2024 vintage. I suspected something overly tannic and too young to enjoy now. It opens with a dark fruit aroma, immediately giving way to a generous burst of fruit on the first sip. The structure is medium bodied, with medium tannins…

  • Triennes Rosé

    Triennes Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    I came across this wine at a family gathering. There was nothing about the label to suggest it comes from Provence. The bottle itself doesn’t follow the visual cues you often see with Provençal rosé with no fancy lable or stylised bottle design. It’s modest, understated. The surprise is entirely in what’s inside. Only after the gathering, when curiosity led me to look into it, did I discover its true origin, from the heart of Provence. Triennes is a respected estate situated in the Var region to the east of Aix-en-Provence. It’s the result of a collaboration that began in…

  • La Belle Angèle Pinot Noir

    La Belle Angèle Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2023 vintage offers an easygoing yet lively expression of southern French winemaking. Named after a celebrated muse of the Belle Époque, known for inspiring French Impressionist painters with her beauty and spirit, the wine carries a sense of charm. With its origins in the Languedoc, drawing fruit from the sun-drenched plains near Béziers and Valras-Plage as well as the higher ground of the Minervois, it captures a warm, Mediterranean spirit. At first pour, a scent of red berries rises gently, hinting at cherries and perhaps a touch of raspberry. Unlike some Pinots that lean into earthiness or darker, forest…

  • Finest Sancerre Rosé

    Finest Sancerre Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    I wanted to try this as it recently won a Gold medal at the International Wine Challenge (IWC), which caught my attention since golds account for less than 1% of all medals awarded. It’s made from Pinot Noir grapes grown in Sancerre and bottled at the source in the Loire by Fournier Père et Fils, rather than being bulk bottled in the UK. This is the 2024 vintage, which comes in at 12.5% ABV. I noticed the lovely strong aroma of peach straight away. The wine is dry and fruity, with lovely flavours of stone fruit, strawberries and raspberries. On…

  • Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Blanc

    Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Blanc

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    Simon Judge

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    This sparkling wine from Bordeaux is a blend of 70% Sémillon and 30% Cabernet Franc, made using the traditional method with the second fermentation in the bottle that lasts for 11 months. This the 2022 vintage and sits at 12% ABV. The bubbles are small and stayed for a very long time, giving it a visual elegance not always found at this price point. There’s a buttery brioche aroma, the result of the bottle fermentation, lifted by a zesty citrus note that keeps things fresh. On tasting, it’s fruity and bright, with flavours of sherbet and citrus. There’s a hint…

  • Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Rosé Réserve

    Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Rosé Réserve

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2024 vintage draws inspiration from the lively elegance of 1920s Paris, a time when food, wine, music and art flourished. It also marks a period of transformation in the Rhône Valley, when the first co-operatives, like Les Dauphins, were formed. This rosé is a blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 5% Cinsault, with grapes grown on clay-limestone and stony soils near the village of Tulette, in the old Dauphiné region. The wine is left on its lees in tank, which plays a part in shaping its final character. It sits at 12.5% alcohol. Pale pink in the glass,…

  • Cuvée de Brieu Syrah

    Cuvée de Brieu Syrah

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    Simon Judge

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    The Lidl July Wine Tour is now underway. I wasn’t able to attend the press tasting for this release as I happened to be on holiday. Fortunately, Lidl kindly sent over a few bottles from the range for me to try. Lidl’s Wine Tours tend to run for roughly two months, offering a limited window in which to pick up these wines, subject to stock availability. Some of the more popular bottles usually sell out quickly, which is a deliberate move to keep the wine line-up feeling fresh and ever-changing. As with previous tours, the wines are assessed by Richard…

  • Ormarine ‘Cuvée Estela Élevée sur Lies Fines’ Picpoul de Pinet

    Ormarine ‘Cuvée Estela Élevée sur Lies Fines’ Picpoul de Pinet

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2023 vintage Picpoul is a striking example of the quality now coming out of this Languedoc appellation. Ormarine, based in the heart of Pinet since 1922, is responsible for over 40% of the region’s total production and their expertise shows in this wine. The term ‘Élevée sur Lies Fines’ refers to ageing on fine lees, the spent yeast cells left over after fermentation which adds depth, texture and complexity. In the glass, the wine shows a slight green-gold hue. When served very cold, it opens with a restrained peach/nectarine aroma, but the palate is already full-bodied with rich stone…

  • Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages Fleurie

    Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages Fleurie

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    Simon Judge

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    I’ve had the chance to be one of the first to try a brand-new wine from acclaimed Burgundian winemaker Laurent Delaunay. Known for multi-award-winning expertise and as a fifth-generation winemaker, Delaunay has just released a Beaujolais under the new Les Grappillages range. It’s a wine that brings together traditional regional winemaking with a distinctly modern edge. Adding to the charm is the label, adorned with a delicate French Toile de Jouy print, echoing a touch of haute couture. This 2023 vintage sits at 13% ABV and has been carefully vinified in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks to retain freshness and fruit purity.…

  • Alain Grignon ‘Grande Réserve Vieilles Vignes’ Carignan

    Alain Grignon ‘Grande Réserve Vieilles Vignes’ Carignan

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    Simon Judge

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    This is a striking new arrival at Majestic that’s already turning heads. At a recent store managers’ tasting, it reportedly stole the show, and it’s not hard to see why. This impressive red comes from Château Grand Moulin in the town of Lézignan-Corbières, in the heart of Occitanie. It’s made from old-vine Carignan, with some vines aged well over 80 years, a few even topping the century mark. That age brings depth and concentration and the winemaking approach preserves the fruit’s natural vibrancy. While most of the wine is matured in stainless steel to retain freshness, 30% sees time in…

  • Marsolay Pinot Noir

    Marsolay Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    This Pinot Noir is from the Languedoc region in southern France, IGP Pays d’Oc, and made by Producteurs Réunis. It’s from an area known for its long, hot growing season, which tends to encourage a riper expression of Pinot Noir. I tried it as part of my awards25 tasting series, as it was a finalist in the People’s Choice Awards. There’s no vintage noted on the label, which is a bit odd, but it’s likely to be 2023 based on the IWSC entry, where it picked up a Silver award in 2025. It also carries a strong average rating on…

  • Tesco Finest Chablis Premier Cru

    Tesco Finest Chablis Premier Cru

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    Simon Judge

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    This is one I’d been meaning to try after it picked up a Gold at the recent International Wine Challenge. It’s part of my ongoing awards25 series and is made by the highly respected La Chablisienne Cooperative. The wine comes from Premier Cru vineyards in northern Burgundy and is made entirely from Chardonnay grapes, with some time spent in French oak barrels. This particular bottle is the 2022 vintage and sits at 12.5% ABV. Straight from the fridge, there’s a touch of almond on the aroma, which is quite delicate. The oak influence is subtle and nicely judged, adding just…

  • Tensions Between Wine Growers and Supermarkets

    Tensions Between Wine Growers and Supermarkets

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    International Supermarket News reports on rising tensions between growers and supermarkets. It also highlights increasing cost of wine and shows how much more expensive it is in the UK compared to France. Aldi France has come under fire after its national wine buyer claimed wines priced as low as €1.99 are still profitable for growers. This triggered protests across south-west France, with farmers arguing that such pricing is unsustainable and threatens their livelihoods. Unions say selling Bordeaux for under €3 is below production cost and puts thousands of growers at risk. The controversy underscores wider concerns about unrealistic retail pricing,…

  • Majestic 45th Birthday Sauvignon Blanc Gros Manseng

    Majestic 45th Birthday Sauvignon Blanc Gros Manseng

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    Simon Judge

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    Majestic 45th Birthday Sauvignon Blanc Gros Manseng is one of two special blends created exclusively for Majestic’s anniversary, with the aim of offering a bold yet versatile wine that exceeds expectations for its price. When I first saw it, it gave off a modest impression and I didn’t expect anything out of the ordinary. But on tasting it, it quickly became clear that a lot more thought and care had gone into this wine than the packaging lets on. Created by Majestic’s Head Buyer, Matt Fowkes, in collaboration with long-standing producer partners, the blend captures the essence of what Majestic…

  • 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 declassified wines. It was part of my wine journey in 2015. Back then, my wife and I, sometimes with friends or family, attended tastings run by Arthur Till. Arthur had retired slightly early after a successful career in senior management for the European arm of…

  • 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 a single block of vines in the village of Ludes, located on the northern side of the Montagne de Reims, this wine comes from a site classified as Premier Cru. It borders some of the region’s most renowned Grand Cru villages, including Mailly-Champagne, Verzenay and…

  • 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 vintage, 14.5% ABV, is a blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Carignan, a combination that brings together rich fruit, spice and structure. The wine begins with a lovely red fruit aroma, delicately laced with a hint of caramel. It’s a very inviting and beguiling aroma that…

  • 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 benefits from a warmer, sunnier climate. This allows for fuller ripening, and the vines, aged between 15 and 40 years, contribute depth and character to the wine. Fermentation is carried out entirely in oak barrels, with a mix of new and older wood to ensure…

  • 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. There’s an immediate aroma of cherry and earthiness, with a subtle trace of caramel. The flavour continues in this vein, savory at its core, but with raspberry and cherry fruit giving it vibrancy and lift. Through the middle part of the taste, there’s a lovely…

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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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