Past Tastings

Uncovering great wines from consumer, trade and press tastings

  • Domaine Bousquet Single Block ‘Wild Roots’

    Domaine Bousquet Single Block ‘Wild Roots’

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    Simon Judge

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    In late September 2025, I attended a dinner event marking the UK launch of Domaine Bousquet’s new Single Block ‘Wild Roots’ wines, part of the winery’s Ameri range, its flagship tier. While the focus was on these new releases, the evening offered some fascinating insight into how the soil, and only the soil, within the…

  • Lidl Autumn Press Tasting

    Lidl Autumn Press Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    At the start of October 2025 I attended the Lidl Autumn Press tasting in London, where 65 wines were shown that will form part of the October, November and December Wine Tours, along with a handful of new and existing wines from the core range. Lidl’s Wine Tours typically run for around two months, giving…

  • Fairtrade Talk and Tasting

    Fairtrade Talk and Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    I was recently invited to a roundtable and tasting event hosted by the Fairtrade Foundation to mark Fairtrade Fortnight. The event took place at the Argentinian Ambassador’s Residence in London and offered a fascinating opportunity to explore the real-world impact of Fairtrade wine on communities in Argentina, Chile and South Africa. Following the discussion, we…

  • Hatch Mansfield Autumn Portfolio Tasting

    Hatch Mansfield Autumn Portfolio Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    Hatch Mansfield is a leading UK wine agency, founded in 1994 by Patrick McGrath MW alongside partners from renowned producers including Louis Jadot, Errazuriz and Villa Maria. The company specialises in representing and distributing wines from independent, family-owned estates across the globe. While many of the wines it brings to market are found in independent…

  • WineGB Trade and Press Tasting 2025

    WineGB Trade and Press Tasting 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    At a time when France, Spain and Italy are reducing their vineyard areas, Britain, though far smaller, is expanding. Over the past year registered vineyards have risen by 74 to reach 1,104, while 25 new wineries have been added, bringing the total to 238. The planted area has grown from 4,209 hectares to 4,841 hectares,…

  • Aldi Autumn Winter Tasting 2025

    Aldi Autumn Winter Tasting 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    Aldi’s wine press tasting was at Tate Modern in London, my first press tasting of the Autumn–Winter ’25 season. The tasting was smaller than usual at around sixty-five wines plus a handful of fortifieds. The wines shown were mainly seasonal and what’s arriving soon, rather than in the core range. We were told Rosé has…

  • Old Vine Conference

    Old Vine Conference

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    Simon Judge

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    In mid-June 2025, I attended the Old Vine Conference trade and media wine tasting in London. The Old Vine Conference works to raise awareness, deepen understanding and build support for the global old vine movement. It champions the development of a recognised global category for wines made from old vines, lending structure and momentum to…

  • London Wine Fair 2025

    London Wine Fair 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    I visited the London Wine Fair 2025 in May 2025. The event featured 433 exhibitors showcasing an impressive 3,213 products. There were prominent, dedicated pavilions representing France, Italy, Romania, Japan, Greece, Macedonia and Georgia. Each of these had clearly made a strong effort to stand out, with Romania, Japan, Greece, Macedonia and Georgia in particular…

  • The Best of South Africa

    The Best of South Africa

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    Simon Judge

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    In mid-May 2025, I attended the Tim Atkin MW The Best of South Africa Tasting, an event Tim described as likely the finest presentation of South African wines in the UK this year. That claim stood up, the range and calibre of wines on show were outstanding. Tim Atkin MW is known for producing an…

  • Asda Spring Summer Wine Showcase

    Asda Spring Summer Wine Showcase

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    Simon Judge

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    Early May marked the final supermarket tasting of the spring/summer tasting season, with Asda’s showcase in London closing things out. With 128 wines available to try, this event offered a few new additions and some much-loved favourites presented as newer vintages. As expected for the Spring/Summer, there was a strong emphasis on refreshing whites, rosés…

  • Majestic Spring Press Tasting

    Majestic Spring Press Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    At the start of May, I attended the Majestic Spring Press Tasting 2025, which this time took place at a different venue, the iconic Lord’s cricket ground in London. Spacious and distinct, the surroundings gave a certain charm to the event, helping the wines feel a little more special. The layout benefited from the space…

  • Sainsbury’s Spring Summer Press Tasting

    Sainsbury’s Spring Summer Press Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    At the very end of a busy month of supermarket tastings, I went to Sainsbury’s Spring Summer Drinks Press Tasting in April 2025, held in London. Sainsbury’s has seen an 8% rise in ready-to-drink sales year on year. This includes cocktails, spritzes and wine in cans such as Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc and La Vielle…

  • Co-op Spring & Summer Tasting

    Co-op Spring & Summer Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In late April 2025, I went to the Co-op press tasting in London. Co-op remains the most shopped-at retailer in the UK, with an average of 2.2 million shoppers visiting every day, resulting in around 800 million shopping visits per year. In 2024, they grew their market share in the convenience sector to 13.7%, supported…

  • Waitrose Spring Press Tasting 2025

    Waitrose Spring Press Tasting 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    I was invited to the Waitrose & Partners Spring Wine Tasting in London in April 2025, where 159 products were showcased across all drinks categories. The selection reflected a clear focus on both innovation and quality, with several key trends standing out. For Waitrose, Crémant is currently the fastest-growing category, with sales up 19% compared…

  • M&S Spring Press Tasting

    M&S Spring Press Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In April 2025 I went to the M&S press tasting in London, where the retailer showcased a raft of new wines and several old favourites. Innovation in English wine was front-and-centre. M&S has released its first own-label Charmat-method sparkling, meaning the second fermentation is carried out in tank rather than in the bottle. Alongside this…

  • 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…

  • Morrisons Spring Summer Press Tasting 2025

    Morrisons Spring Summer Press Tasting 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    In April 2025, I was invited to the Morrisons Spring Summer Press Tasting in London, where around 100 wines were on show. A pianist added a touch of class to the event, playing gentle background music as we tasted our way through the selection. Morrisons is showing a focus on sourcing quality wines from less…

  • Lidl Spring Wine Tours

    Lidl Spring Wine Tours

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    Simon Judge

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    In early April 2025, I was invited to Lidl’s press wine tasting event in London, where they showcased a selection of wines set to be released as part of their upcoming Wine Tour series for May, June and a few from July. In addition to these limited-time wines, several offerings from Lidl’s core range were…

  • 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…

  • Tesco Spring Summer Tasting 2025

    Tesco Spring Summer Tasting 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    In March 2025, I went to the Tesco Spring Summer Press Tasting in London, where a large line-up of 152 wines was showcased, including 19 new wines. One of the most notable developments was Tesco’s move towards greater sustainability in its wine packaging. Working in collaboration with the Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) and various suppliers,…

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