Past Tastings
Uncovering great wines from consumer, trade and press tastings
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Wines of Sicilia DOC Tasting
On 10th June 2024, there was a trade and press event showcasing around 150 wines from 25 producers from the Wines of Sicilia DOC. It was an excellent opportunity to explore Sicilian wine styles, taste new releases and learn about the different regions of Sicily. While Sicily boasts approximately 70 native grape varieties, Grillo (white)…
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Borsa Vini Italiani
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…
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Tesco Spring/Summer Press Tasting
In May 2024, I had the pleasure of attending Tesco’s Spring/Summer Press Tasting event in London. The selection was curated to cater to the warmer months, with a clear aim to inspire customers at every price point. The event showcased an impressive array of 138 wines, including 23 new additions to the range and numerous…
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Co-op Spring & Summer Wine Tasting
The Co-op Spring & Summer Wine Tasting was held in May 2024, in London, showcasing 84 wines. With consumers becoming more price-conscious, the Co-op has seen a noticeable shift towards choosing own-label wines over branded ones. In response, Co-op has expanded its own-label wine ranges. There is also a strong demand for rosé wines, which,…
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London Wine Fair
I attended the London Wine Fair in May 2024, a three day trade event featuring 335 exhibitors and over 3,224 products, mainly wines. There were large pavilions for Italy, France, Greece, Georgia, WineGB, and even Japan, but Spain, New Zealand, and Australia were notably absent. However, on the day I attended, there was a pop-up…
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Asda Spring Summer Showcase
In May 2024, Asda held a press tasting showcasing a variety of wines, perfect for Spring and Summer days. While the focus was primarily on wines ideal for warmer weather, there were also a few bold reds to complement BBQs. One of the highlights of the event was the re-launch of the Wine Atlas range,…
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M&S Spring Tasting
In May 2024, M&S held their Spring Tasting press event, showcasing over 130 wines. This year saw the launch of some new wine labelling and a fresh focus on competitive pricing. In April, M&S dropped the prices on 100 wines, shifting their strategy towards everyday trusted value with fewer monthly promotions. The selection at the…
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Wines from Spain Tasting
The 36th Annual trade/press tasting of Wines from Spain took place in May 2024, featuring UK importers and Spanish wineries. The event showcased over 245 Spanish wineries and 789 wines. A highlight of the event was the Cava de Guarda Superior Masterclass, led by Master of Wine Peter McCombie. This session explored aged Cava and…
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The Bordeaux Experience
On 1st May 2024, the inaugural event of Vins de Bordeaux’s new global campaign, ‘The Bordeaux Crew’ came to London, designed collaboratively by the region’s winemaking community. This initiative was supported by the Bordeaux Wine Council (CVIB) and aimed to engage both the wine industry and enthusiasts. The event showcased a curated selection of over…
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Sainsbury’s Spring Summer Tasting
Sainsbury’s hosted their press wine tasting event in May 2024 in London, offering a selection of 70 wines. The focus was primarily on white, sparkling, and rosé wines, along with a limited number of mainly lighter reds, curated to complement the Spring and Summer seasons. The event also highlighted some of Sainsbury’s mid-strength wine range,…
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Majestic Spring Press Tasting
The Majestic Spring Press Tasting took place in April 2024, in London, revolving around the tag line “There’s a story behind every glass”. This event was notable not just for the wines themselves but also for the impressive detail in the thick, 209 page tasting notes booklet, covering the 101 wines. This tasting included the…
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Real Wine Fair
On April 29, 2024, I had the pleasure of attending the trade/press day for the Real Wine Fair in London, an event that brought together 180 organic, biodynamic, and low-intervention producers. With a staggering array of 900+ wines, this fair was a vibrant showcase of some of the world’s most talented artisan vignerons. Although it…
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Waitrose Spring Tasting
In April 2024, I had the opportunity to attend a press tasting hosted by Waitrose in London, featuring new lines and vintages. The event presented just under 100 wines, of which I sampled the majority. Among the highlights were the new additions to the own brand ‘Loved & Found’ range, which originally launched in 2019….
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Lidl Spring and Italian Wine Tours
In April 2024, I attended a Lidl wine tasting in London, which showcased wines planned to be introduced during the Spring and Italian wine tours in April and May 2024, respectively. Additionally, a selection of wines from Lidl’s core range was also being shown. Wine Tours at Lidl feature wines presented in wooden crates, each…
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The Wine Society Press Tasting
The Wine Society held a press tasting event in March 2024, in London, showcasing a curated selection of about 100 wines. This introduced the newest wines and vintages within their core range, alongside a special 150th range designed to commemorate the Society’s 150th anniversary. These are the wines that particularly stood out for me together…
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Wines of Portugal Tasting
This event held in London, on 20 March 2024, brought together an impressive 60 producers showcasing 600 wines from 11 distinct wine regions of Portugal. The tasting highlighted the rich vinicultural diversity of Portugal, a country with a wide array of over 250 grape varieties. A highlight of this tasting was the inclusion of a…
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Ellis Wines Portfolio Tasting 2024
The Ellis Wines Portfolio tasting, themed ‘A Taste of the Future’, was held at the Royal Opera House in London on 18th March 2024. As a historic importer and wholesaler, Ellis Wines has been curating an exceptional selection of wines from across the globe since 1822, priding itself on being an independent, family-owned business dedicated…
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Aldi Spring Summer 2024 Press Tasting
The Aldi Spring Summer 2024 Press Tasting took place in March 2023, in London. This event presented a diverse selection of 99 wines with options for those seeking low and no-alcohol alternatives, catering to the growing demand for healthier lifestyle choices. Additionally, the event featured some wines with innovative packaging, underlining Aldi’s efforts to stand…
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Kopke Library Collection Tasting
Kopke, the oldest port wine house, has a rich history dating back to its foundation by German Nicolau Kopkë in 1638. Since establishing its vineyards in the Douro Valley in 1781, Kopke was bought by the Bohane family in London. However, Kopke has been proudly Portuguese since the mid-twentieth century and is now under the…
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Jeroboams Trade Portfolio Tasting 2024
Jeroboams is a London-based wine merchant, well-regarded for its extensive and exciting selection of wines, Champagnes, specialist cheeses and charcuterie. The company, founded by Peter Rich, started as a cheese and wine club before opening its first shop in South Kensington in 1985, specialising in quality cheeses, oils, vinegars and wines. Over the years, Jeroboams…
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