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Italy

  • M&S Notte Stellata Rossa Primitivo di Manduria

    M&S Notte Stellata Rossa Primitivo di Manduria

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    Simon Judge

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    M&S Notte Stellata Rossa Primitivo di Manduria is made from grapes grown in the San Marzano region of Puglia in Italy, with the new 2022 vintage offering a touch more strength at 14.5% ABV. This wine, which previously won a Silver at the International Wine Challenge. It spends six months ageing in a mix of French and American oak barrels, giving it a nuanced oaky depth. Unlike many wines, the back label of the Notte Stellata actually gives a very accurate description, highlighting rich, dark cherry, plum and chocolate notes. While the wine has a higher residual sugar level, it…

  • Simply Italian Great Wines Tasting

    Simply Italian Great Wines Tasting

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    In early October 2024, I had the pleasure of attending the Simply Italian Great Wines Trade Tasting, an event with many exciting wines yet to be available in the UK. For importers and retailers alike, this event offered numerous opportunities to discover new offerings that could bring something fresh to the British market. The tasting started with a Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC Masterclass, expertly hosted by Patrick Schmitt MW. The masterclass looked deep into the origins, perceptions, geography, climate and styles of Pinot Grigio, including Rosé variants. Some insights from this session have become part of a wider article…

  • Tenuta Di Trinoro Tasting

    Tenuta Di Trinoro Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In early September 2024, I attended a tasting lunch in London hosted by Benjamin Franchetti, the owner of Tenuta di Trinoro, a renowned estate known for its Super-Tuscan wines. The estate was founded by Benjamin’s late father, Andrea Franchetti, who defied expectations by creating a world-class Super-Tuscan from scratch, without any outside help. Although Tenuta di Trinoro fits the definition of a Super-Tuscan, using international grape varieties, aged in barriques and produced in limited quantities, Benjamin prefers not to classify the wines in this category. He values the creative freedom to craft unique wines without restrictions or expectations. Andrea’s legacy…

  • Italian Wine Tasting

    Italian Wine Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In July and August 2024, when press tastings were sparse, I decided to host a few wine tastings at home. For this third tasting of the Summer, I invited PR agencies, importers and retailers to submit Italian wines. I also included a few wines recommended by participants from previous tastings, as well as a blind tasting to challenge expectations. Nine family members and friends, all sharing my enthusiasm for wine, joined me in tasting eleven different wines. The wines were paired with delicious Italian pizza and pasta from Squisito Italian, complemented by fresh salads and homemade tiramisu, allowing us to…

  • Kylie Minogue Prosecco

    Kylie Minogue Prosecco

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    Simon Judge

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    When my wife picked up this Kylie Minogue Prosecco, I had my doubts. Too much Prosecco DOC (not DOCG) nowadays is mass-produced, resulting in a loss of the distinctive taste it once had. I assumed this newly launched, non-Rosé Prosecco from Kylie Minogue would be just a bottle relying on celebrity branding to disguise a mediocre wine. How wrong I was. This Prosecco is sourced from the renowned Zonin 1821 estate, known for producing some of the better and more expensive Proseccos on the market. The pretty bottle, adorned with delicate heart stamps, is more than just attractive packaging and…

  • Majestic Italian Wine Tasting

    Majestic Italian Wine Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In August 2024, I went to an Italian wine tasting at my local Majestic in Woking, just a few doors down from the infamous Woking Pizza Express. It was an enjoyable evening, sampling a variety of Italian wines, including Franciacorta, Soave, Gavi, Greco Di Tufo, a Rosso Veronese, Chianti and a Brunello. Among these, a few wines stood out as particularly memorable. Gavi Groppella La Chiara DOCG 2023 (12.5%)Made entirely from 100% Cortese di Gavi grapes, I thought this wine was the best of the evening. The 45-year-old vines and the 10-month aging in 225-litre French oak barriques imparted a…

  • Villa Vito Pinot Grigio

    Villa Vito Pinot Grigio

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    Simon Judge

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    I don’t usually buy Pinot Grigio, as most of it is mass-produced, of average quality and has a mediocre taste. However, according to Bibendum, it’s the most popular wine on trade, in hospitality venues. So, when I was recently tasked with selecting some wines for a gathering, I felt compelled to include a Pinot Grigio since it is so well known. Choosing the right Pinot Grigio was a bit of a challenge, but I opted to shop at Majestic this time and selected the Villa Vito Pinot Grigio 2023. Majestic’s buyers tasted more than fifty Pinot Grigio before settling on…

  • Millefiori Appasimento Veneto

    Millefiori Appasimento Veneto

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    Simon Judge

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    From the Veneto region, renowned for its Amarone and Valpolicella wines, the Millefiori Appassimento Veneto is a different blend of Corvina and Merlot grapes. These grapes are selected from low-yielding vineyards in Northern Italy. 60% of the harvest undergoes the traditional appassimento method, where the grapes are dried in well-ventilated lofts. This technique, commonly associated with Amarone and certain styles of Valpolicella, concentrates the grapes’ aromas and flavours, resulting in richer and more complex wine. Produced and bottled by Puglia-based, not Veneto-based, Cantine Paolo Leo, this wine diverges from what is typical by using Merlot to complement the Corvina rather…

  • Italian Wine Production Fell by 17% Last Year

    Italian Wine Production Fell by 17% Last Year

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    Simon Judge

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    The Drinks Business is reporting that, in 2023, Italian agriculture suffered significantly due to extreme weather, with wine production being particularly affected. Europe experienced its hottest summer in 2,000 years, leading to a 3.9% drop in agricultural output in Italy. Specifically, the production of vines, fruits, and olives decreased by 11.1%, and overall wine production fell by 17%. Hail storms also caused considerable damage to vineyards. In 2024, severe droughts in southern Italy, Sicily and Sardinia further impacted crops and livestock, according to the agricultural organisation Coldiretti. Despite these challenges, Italy, along with Finland, Hungary, Poland, Sweden and the Netherlands,…

  • Petersham Cellar, Vini Franchetti

    Petersham Cellar, Vini Franchetti

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    Simon Judge

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    Petersham Cellar is a London-based independent specialist in cult and fine wines. It was founded by Giovanni Mazzei from the Marchesi Mazzei family, owners of the Castello di Fonterutoli in Tuscany since 1435 and Lara Angelica Boglione from Petersham Nurseries in London. Petersham Cellar is associated with Petersham Nurseries and the group of restaurants including La Goccia and The Petersham in Covent Garden, London. Petersham Cellar has recently been appointed as the UK agents for Vini Franchetti, owner of well-reknowned Tenuta di Trinoro and Sancaba in Tuscany, as well as Passopisciaro in Sicily. I was pleased to be invited to…

  • Istituto Grandi Marchi

    Istituto Grandi Marchi

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    Simon Judge

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    On 25 June 2024, I attended the Istituto Grandi Marchi wine tasting event in London. The Istituto Grandi Marchi, founded in 2004, is a group comprising eighteen top Italian wineries. Their mission is to promote the culture and trade of high-quality Italian wine. As part of their global tour, they brought a selection of exceptional wines to London’s Plaisterers’ Hall. All these wineries are family-owned and have been operational for at least 25 years, with some having histories spanning centuries. They own estate vineyards, notable for their rich history and longstanding traditions. They are dedicated to maintaining a strong focus…

  • Understanding Sicilian Wines

    Understanding Sicilian Wines

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    Simon Judge

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    Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is not only known for its rich history and stunning landscapes but also for its vibrant and diverse wine culture. The Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) for Sicilian wines was established on 22nd November 2011. Wine Regions of Sicily Sicily’s main wine regions can be broadly divided into several key areas, each with its distinct characteristics: EtnaSituated around the slopes of Mount Etna, this region is renowned for its volcanic soils, which impart a unique minerality to the wines. The high altitude and cooler temperatures allow for a longer growing season, producing wines…

  • Bartolomeo Lorenzi Rosso Veronese 2021

    Bartolomeo Lorenzi Rosso Veronese 2021

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    Simon Judge

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    From the prestigious Amarone specialist cooperative, Cantina di Negrar, celebrated as Italy’s 2019 Winery of the Year, comes the Bartolomeo Lorenzi Rosso Veronese 2021. Made by winemaker Daniele Accordini, this wine elegantly merges grapes from Valpolicella’s Classico region with air-dried Corvina, a hallmark of top-tier Amarone. While the light aroma isn’t the main focal point, the taste is where this wine truly shines. Light to medium-bodied with a 13% ABV, it offers a vibrant burst of fruit flavours. Cherry notes dominate, complemented by subtle hint of cocoa and sweet spice. The tannins are soft, making it exceptionally easy on the…

  • Borsa Vini Italiani

    Borsa Vini Italiani

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    Simon Judge

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    I had the pleasure of attending the Borsa Vini Italiani, a trade event hosted by the Italian Trade Commission, at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London on 4th June 2024. The event featured 41 exhibitors showcasing 197 wines from 13 regions including Piedmont, Lombardy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Tuscany, Marche, Abruzzo, Campania, Apulia, Calabria, Sicily, Sardinia and Umbria. My aim for this visit was to explore mainly atypical Italian wine offerings. This approach led me to discover some unique wines, including rosés made from unexpected red grape varieties, wines from non-native grapes and even Champagne-like wines. However, I couldn’t resist sampling…

  • Understanding Italian Wines

    Understanding Italian Wines

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    Simon Judge

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    Italy’s wine is an intricate tapestry woven from centuries of tradition, regional diversity and a large number of grape varieties. Each of Italy’s 20 regions offers a unique contribution to the country’s vast and varied wine portfolio: In 2022, Italy was the world’s largest wine producer accounting for nearly one-fifth of the global wine supply. However, in 2023, France overtook Italy, producing a slightly higher volume. These are the main wine regions in Italy: Northern Italy Piedmont: Nestled at the foot of the Alps, Piedmont is famed for its noble Nebbiolo grape, which yields the celebrated Barolo and Barbaresco wines.…

  • A Mano New Vintages

    A Mano New Vintages

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    Simon Judge

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    I first came across A Mano wines at the Liberty Wines trade and press tasting in January 2024. A Mano wines are produced by winemaker Mark Shannon, originally from California and marketing expert Elvezia Sbalchiero. These wines are made from old grape vines, aged between 70 and 100 years, in Puglia. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in open vats using natural yeasts. Mark spends a lot of time in the vineyards to monitor phenolic development that contribute to the taste, colour and mouthfeel of the wines. The vines are small bush types called ‘alberello’, which are non-irrigated and low…

  • Italy in a Wineglass

    Italy in a Wineglass

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    Simon Judge

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    Italy in a Wineglass, by Mark Millon, offers readers the rich tapestry of Italy’s history through the lens of its winemaking tradition. Millon, with his impressive tenure of over forty years as a wine writer, not only brings a wealth of knowledge to his writing but also a passionate reverence for his subject. His previous works, including “The Wine Roads of Italy” and contributions to “Oz Clarke’s Wine Companion Tuscany,” have established him as an authoritative voice in the field. The story spans 6,000 years, beginning with ancient Sicily and traveling through to the present day. Millon guides us through…

  • Morrisons Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

    Morrisons Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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    Simon Judge

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    My wife recently pointed out an article in the Metro that praised Morrisons Villa Verde Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022 wine as providing the quality of a wine that could be double or even two and a half times its modest price of £6. This piqued my curiosity, particularly because I’ve repurchased a different, slightly pricier, £7.75, The Best Organic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2021 from the same store. Both wines are produced for Morrisons by Citra Vini Soc., the largest winegrowing cooperative in Abruzzo, comprised of about 5,000 family-run vineyards. This cooperative is renowned for its quality, having been ranked among the world’s…

  • La Gioiosa et Amorosa Rosea NV

    La Gioiosa et Amorosa Rosea NV

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    Simon Judge

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    La Gioiosa et Amorosa Rosea NV was a great surprise gift at a recent dinner party, which is how I came to try this different wine. Produced by La Gioiosa, a prominent name in Italian wine known particularly for its Prosecco, this rosé variant offers a twist on the traditional. Helmed by winemaker Valerio Fuson, this wine features a modest alcohol content of 11% ABV and draws its name from the cheerful local motto, ‘Marca Gioiosa et Amorosa’, translating to ‘march with joy and love’. The wine enjoys a high rating of 4.0 on Vivino. Unlike typical Prosecco, the label…

  • Italian Whites for Food

    Italian Whites for Food

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    Fiona Beckett in The Guardian Newspaper discusses how Italian wines, particularly white wines, are specifically crafted to complement food. It highlights that Italian wines often lack overt fruit flavours or excessive oakiness, maintaining lower alcohol levels to enhance rather than overwhelm simple, seasonally focused dishes. The article notes the appeal of Italian whites due to their subtle flavours and relative affordability, and suggests that these characteristics make them particularly suitable for drinking in spring. Here are five Italian white wines recommended in the article: Unearthed Castellore Custoza 2023 – £9.99 from Aldi. It is described as smooth, fresh, creamy, and…

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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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