Majestic
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Majestic Pick List
Welcome to my Majestic pick list, updated every June and December. Over the course of the recent Majestic Autumn and Spring press tastings, I have tasted over 200 wines. To help you easily navigate the wine aisles on your next visit, I have selected my favourites from these events. The wines below are grouped by country, complete with their vintage, price, and a quick summary to help you find the perfect bottle. Prices are subject to change and not every wine will always be available in every store. However, Majestic can usually find bottles in other branches if needed. Australia…
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Majestic Definition Tasting
In late May 2026, I attended a consumer wine tasting at Majestic Wine in Woking. The evening was led by Pete, a familiar face there with 18 years of experience at Majestic and, outside of wine, an accomplished international marathon runner. The theme of the tasting was the “Definition by Majestic” range, with eight wines showcased throughout the evening. Definition is the retailer’s premium own-label collection, created to capture the classic style and character of renowned grape varieties and wine regions. The range is produced in partnership with world-class winemakers, with the aim of offering authentic regional expressions that reflect…
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La Belle Angèle Sauvignon Blanc
La Belle Angèle Sauvignon Blanc comes with an elegant label featuring La Belle Angèle, the beautiful muse of the French Impressionists. It is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc from a number of areas, from the 2025 vintage, with a gentle 12% ABV. In the glass, it has a light gold colour. Served cold, it brings a gooseberry character in both aroma and flavour, fresh and lively. As it warms up, a greener nettle aroma starts to come through, while the flavour shifts towards citrus and a less sweet style of gooseberry. There is a pleasing mouthfeel too, helped along by…
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Petit Pinotage
This wine came to me by accident, it should have been Petit Cabernet Sauvignon, but here is the review anyway. It is from Ken Forrester Wines, right in the heart of Stellenbosch and this is the 2023 vintage. It comes in at a punchy 14%, yet still has an easy-drinking style, which explains the “Petit” in the name. In this case, “Petit” points to a lighter, fresher take on Pinotage, and that is also why it is unoaked. I would give this one 30 minutes to air before drinking. In the glass, it has a deep ruby-purple colour. On the…
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Rapaura Springs Sauvignon Blanc White Edition
Rapaura Springs Sauvignon Blanc White Edition is new and exclusive to Majestic, from one of Marlborough’s most awarded Sauvignon Blanc producers. The symbol on every Rapaura Springs label is a circle of rocks, representing the pure spring in the vineyard. The brand name and label are designed to express the estate’s connection to water flowing from the Southern Alps through underground aquifers into the Rapaura property. Having just tried the excellent Rapaura Springs ‘ROHE’ Sauvignon Blanc at the Majestic press tasting, I was curious to see how this one would compare. This one comes in at 13% ABV and is…
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Majestic Spring Press Tasting
In mid-April 2026, I was at the Majestic Spring Press Tasting at Vagabond Urban Winery in Canada Water, London, a new venue for Majestic tastings. There were around 100 wines on show with a focus on wines suited to events and entertaining such as weddings, parties, dining and barbecues. As always, Majestic provided the most comprehensive, informative and impressive tasting booklet imaginable, which made navigating the range a pleasure. These are the wines that particularly caught my eye. Prices quoted are for a mixed six, as I honestly cannot see why anyone could walk into Majestic and buy just one…
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Rose & Rose Sauvignon Blanc
I first came across this wine at a Majestic press tasting and thought it was one of the best bottles on show. I had to try it again to see what it was like outside a line-up of 120 wines, how it changed with temperature and whether it would still impress. It comes from Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. Back in 1978, the Rose family became the first to grow grapes in what is now known as the Golden Mile, after winning approval to plant in a region where it had previously not been permitted and where there had been strong opposition.…
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‘Tenacity Old Vine’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Two Hands ‘Tenacity Old Vine’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from old vines in McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley, Australia. This is the 2024 vintage, produced by Two Hands, with the aim of making wines that feel softer and more approachable. The name Tenacity reflects the determination and perseverance of old vines that have become such an enduring part of the Australian landscape. A good tip here is to let it breathe for at least half an hour. In the glass, you get blackcurrant, bay leaf, cedar and leather aromas. On the taste, it leans into fruity black cherry. It is dry,…
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Piccini ‘Histrio’ Anfora Toscana Rosso
‘Histrio’ Anfora Toscana Rosso, by Piccini, is a blend of Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera, given 12 weeks maturing in special clay amphorae, which is where the name comes from. As a bit of context, clay is slightly porous, so tiny amounts of oxygen work their way in over time. It behaves a little like oak in that sense, but without bringing any woody character along with it. What you get instead is softer tannins, a rounder feel in the mouth and less of that hard edge as the wine settles. This is the 2022 vintage, sitting at 13% ABV. The…
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Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Viognier
Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Viognier comes from Pays d’Oc in southern France, specifically the Hérault and the Aude Valley in the south of the Minervois. It takes its name from the wild plants, fleurs sauvages, that grow along the edges of the vines. This is 100% Viognier from the 2023 vintage, with 13.5% abv and it spends a few months ageing on the lees. In the glass, it has a light lemon-gold colour. The aroma brings apricot, peach, honeysuckle and ginger. On the taste, there is a strong stone fruit character, with a slightly oily texture that comes…
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Domaine du Clos Saint Martin Sancerre
This wine comes from the Loire Valley, produced by the Clément family near the hamlet of Amigny, just below the village of Sancerre. The Clément family have been winegrowers since 1560 and the estate is certified organic. This Sancerre is new and exclusive to Majestic, made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, sitting at 12.5% abv, from the 2024 vintage. It also received a gold medal at Challenge Millésime Bio. A tip, let it warm for 30 minutes from cold to get a lot out of this wine. In the glass the colour is pale lemon. The aroma brings intense nectarine and…
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Salvio Ribera de Duero
This wine is produced by Dominio de Elbio, a new Ribera del Duero project from well-known winemaker David Gonzalez, recognised for his work across Bodegas Chivite, Viña Salceda and Gran Feudo within the Perelada stable. He was included in the Master Winemaker Top 100 2025, and brings meticulous attention to detail in the winery, with a clear focus on precision viticulture. The vineyard is located in the renowned magic triangle of La Horra, Anguix and Roa in the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. The wine is predominantly Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), complemented by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for…
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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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Château Méaume Matured Bordeaux Supérieur
Exclusively available at Majestic, this special release of Château Méaume has been introduced to honour 45 years of partnership between the winery and the retailer. It’s a significant bottle for both, marking a relationship that began in 1980 when the British owners, Alan and Sue Johnson-Hill, attended the opening of Majestic’s very first store. Their son, Mark, now leads the winemaking, taking the reins for this 2019 vintage. Made predominantly from Merlot grown near the famous regions of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, this Bordeaux Supérieur benefits from low-yield vines and has been matured in oak for no less than a year.…
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Vergelegen Millrace Red
Vergelegen Millrace Red is a blend from one of South Africa’s most historic estates, in the Western Cape’s renowned Stellenbosch region. The estate dates back to 1700, founded by the Dutch governor at the Cape and has become known for producing wines in the Bordeaux style with a South African twist. The name ‘Mill Race’ comes from the Dutch-engineered channel diverting water from the Lourens River to power the estate’s old mill wheel. The wine brings together 41% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 12% Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot at 1%. It has been matured for…
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Abbotts & Delaunay Languedoc Blanc
This 2024 vintage is a new wine from Jeanne Delaunay, a talented young winemaker who brings together the elegance of her Burgundian roots with the expressive wines of the Languedoc. This white blend features 60% Grenache Blanc and 40% Vermentino, aged for a modest five months on fine lees. Orange blossom and citrus grapefruit come through on the aroma, leading into flavours of apricot and more citrus on the tongue. The texture is soft and rounded, enriched by the lees ageing, with a long mineral finish that carries a subtle edge of salinity. Impressively, it remains enjoyable and evolves even…
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Moulin Rose de Malescasse
Moulin Rose de Malescasse was one of the highlights for me at the Majestic press tasting, so I was keen to revisit it in more detail. It comes from the Haut-Médoc area of Bordeaux and is produced by Château Malescasse. The estate holds an impressive status as one of only 14 Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel properties in the region, the highest level in the Cru Bourgeois classification system. For those curious, I’ve previously written more on the tiers and their significance in my article on Understanding Cru Bourgeois du Médoc. Moulin Rose is the estate’s second wine. A château’s second wine…
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Majestic Autumn Press Tasting
In October 2025, I attended the Majestic tasting held at the iconic Lord’s cricket ground. It’s a lovely venue, full of space and natural light, which really added a sense of occasion to the event. Since the last tasting only five months ago, Majestic has expanded with the opening of three new stores in Thame, Christchurch and Wimborne Minster, with another due to open soon in Truro. In addition, Vagabond has now become part of Majestic and the expansion continues with the opening of two new Vagabond bars at St Paul’s and Liverpool Street. A different kind of diversification is…
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Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling Wine
Part of my #awards25 series, this South African sparkling has a Gold Medal from the IWSC 2025 with an impressive 96 points. It’s from Robertson in the Western Cape and is an example of a ‘blanc de blancs’, a term that means white wine made solely from white grapes. In this case, it’s 100% Chardonnay. Produced using the Méthode Cap Classique, South Africa’s take on the Traditional Method used in Champagne, it undergoes its second fermentation in the bottle. This is the 2019 vintage, though it was only disgorged in 2024, allowing time for ageing. The bubbles are small and…
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La Belle Angèle Pinot Noir
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…
Pick Lists
Majestic | The Wine Society | Tesco | Waitrose | Sainsbury’s | Morrisons | Co-op | Asda | Aldi | Lidl | £7 and Under | Over £20
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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