Past Tastings

Uncovering great wines from consumer, trade and press tastings

  • Bulgarian Tasting

    Bulgarian Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In March 2025, I attended the Bulgarian Tasting and Masterclass in London, which specifically focused on the Thracian Lowlands, one of Bulgaria’s two PGI regions. The Masterclass, led by Dr Jamie Goode, centred on Bulgaria’s indigenous grape varieties. The walkaround tasting featuring over 60 wines. Representatives from The Jolly Merchants, Danube Wines, and Swig importers…

  • Aldi Spring Summer Tasting 2025

    Aldi Spring Summer Tasting 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    I went to the Aldi Spring Summer Press Tasting in early March 2025 in London. Aldi is now the third-largest wine retailer in the UK by volume, across red, white and rosé wines. This year, they expanded their Unearthed and Specially Selected wine ranges and also had some interesting new additions from Washington State. There…

  • SITT Spring Tasting 2025

    SITT Spring Tasting 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    In late February 2025, I attended the Specialist Importers’ Trade Tasting (SITT) in London. With 47 specialist importers showcasing over 700 wines from diverse regions including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Lebanon, Moldova, Spain, Ukraine, the USA, Italy, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, there was an impressive array to explore. The wines are exclusively…

  • Wanderlust Trade Portfolio Tasting 2025

    Wanderlust Trade Portfolio Tasting 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    In February 2025, I was invited to the Wanderlust Annual Trade Portfolio Tasting in London. The event showcased around 130 wines, with a particular spotlight on 20 of their passionate and independent producers who were present. Wanderlust imports sustainable wines into the UK, working exclusively with family-owned or independent producers. They focus on organic and…

  • The Best of Rioja 2025

    The Best of Rioja 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    In February 2025, I attended Tim Atkin MW’s Best of Rioja tasting in London. Like the inaugural event last year, this was a truly rare occasion, bringing together an incredible collection of wines in one room. In this year when Rioja celebrates the 100th anniversary of the creation of its Denominación de Origen, the event…

  • Gonzalez Byass 21st Birthday Tasting

    Gonzalez Byass 21st Birthday Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    2025 marks 21 years since Gonzalez Byass established its UK office and to celebrate, the company hosted an extensive tasting in London, showcasing its diverse and expanding portfolio. The company now represents wines from ten different countries, including renowned producers such as Vilarnau Cava, Champagne Deutz, Domäne Wachau, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Jackson Estate, Wirra Wirra, Ashton…

  • Lidl Winter Wine Tours 2025

    Lidl Winter Wine Tours 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    In early February 2025, I attended Lidl’s press wine tasting event in London, where they showcased wines set to be available from either the end of February and the end of March as part of their Wine Tour series. Alongside these limited-time selections, there were also a few wines from their core range. Lidl’s Wine…

  • Australia and New Zealand Trade Tasting 2025

    Australia and New Zealand Trade Tasting 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    For the first time, Australia and New Zealand combined their annual trade tastings in London, an event that historically has been held separately, New Zealand’s since 1982 and Wine Australia’s since 1986. The decision to merge the two was likely influenced by lower attendance in 2023, though it’s worth noting that train strikes in 2023…

  • Hallgarten & Novum Annual Portfolio Tasting 2025

    Hallgarten & Novum Annual Portfolio Tasting 2025

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    Simon Judge

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    The Hallgarten & Novum Annual Portfolio Tasting was held in January 2025 at the iconic Old Billingsgate in London. The choice of a new, expansive venue symbolised the company’s fresh direction, described by Hallgarten as “Our Next Chapter”. This event marked a pivotal moment for one of the UK’s leading wine distributors, reflecting its growth…

  • Doctor Wine’s 2025 Essential Guide to Italian Wine

    Doctor Wine’s 2025 Essential Guide to Italian Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    In January 2025, I attended an insightful Italian wine masterclass and an exceptional wine tasting experience. Daniele Cernilli, known as Doctor Wine, is a leading Italian wine expert, award-winning journalist, author and educator. He co-founded Gambero Rosso and edited its annual wine guide for 24 years. In 2011, he launched the Doctor Wine web magazine,…

  • VIN 2025: a French Wine Tasting

    VIN 2025: a French Wine Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    VIN in London marked my first tasting for 2025, an event organised by Business France, the trade section of the French Embassy in the UK, in collaboration with various French partners. This event brought together four UK importers and 34 producers, showing an impressive selection of over 500 wines from multiple French regions. The wines…

  • Majestic Showcase

    Majestic Showcase

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    Simon Judge

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    In December 2024, with so few press tastings in the calendar, this gave me the opportunity to visit my local Woking Majestic for their showcase tasting. The event featured nine wines, arranged across three sections: white, red and sweet/fortified. The tasting began on a high note with the Taittinger Brut Réserve, a sparkling classic that…

  • Wines of Alentejo Battle of Icons

    Wines of Alentejo Battle of Icons

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    Simon Judge

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    In early December 2024, London hosted a unique event: Wines of Alentejo, Battle of Icons. This gathering brought together 18 people from the trade and press to explore and celebrate the exceptional wines of Alentejo, one of Portugal’s most renowned southern wine regions. The event focused on identifying and highlighting wines poised to become ‘Icons’,…

  • Wines of New York State

    Wines of New York State

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    Simon Judge

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    In late November 2024, I attended a wine tasting event focused on the wines of New York State, presented by Jamie Goode. Jamie Goode, renowned for his book Wine Science, brought his expertise and insight to an intriguing exploration of a region not typically associated with wine production. While New York State might not be…

  • Tim Atkin MW Ribera del Duero Selection

    Tim Atkin MW Ribera del Duero Selection

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    Simon Judge

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    Each September, Tim Atkin MW spends two weeks in Ribera del Duero, meeting winemakers and sampling a large number of wines. This year, he tasted about 551 wines from 173 bodegas. In November 2024, he presented the fifth annual selection of his top 100 wines, with scores, at a tasting event in London. The top…

  • Abruzzo’s Signature Wines

    Abruzzo’s Signature Wines

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    Simon Judge

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    In mid-November 2024, I attended an Abruzzo wine tasting event in London. The trade-focused event showcased a range of wines from the Abruzzo region, including whites such as Trebbiano d’Abruzzo and Pecorino d’Abruzzo, the vibrant rosé Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, and the region’s iconic red, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Most of the producers were seeking representation in the UK….

  • Cru Bourgeois du Médoc

    Cru Bourgeois du Médoc

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    Simon Judge

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    In mid-November 2024, I attended a Cru Bourgeois du Médoc tasting event in London, featuring a selection of 64 wines from the 2022 vintage. Roughly 60% of the wines presented were seeking representation, making it an interesting event for industry professionals and wine merchants on the lookout for new additions. I’ve put together a short…

  • Davy’s Autumn Trade Tasting

    Davy’s Autumn Trade Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In late October 2024, I went to Davy’s Autumn Trade Tasting in London. Davy’s, established in 1870, supplies a range of bars, hotels, restaurants and catering services, as well as private and corporate clients, including universities, colleges and companies. Their offerings are available through several wine shops in London, online and via mail order. The…

  • Morrisons Autumn/Winter Press Tasting

    Morrisons Autumn/Winter Press Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    I went to the Morrisons Autumn/Winter Press Tasting in London in October 2024, an event that showcased a great selection of 127 wines, curated with the festive season in mind. A pianist provided a touch of elegance, enhancing the ambiance as we explored the wines on offer. There has been a refresh of Morrisons’ The…

  • Monastrell Masterclass and Tasting

    Monastrell Masterclass and Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In October 2024, I attended a Monastrell Masterclass led by Patrick Schmitt MW, followed by a walk-around tasting. The event was sponsored by Monastrell Spain, so all the wines were Spanish, though the masterclass also referenced other countries for context. Monastrell is known as Mourvèdre in France and has lots of different names in other…

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