Past Tastings
Uncovering great wines from consumer, trade and press tastings
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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, which the supermarket says is leading the market. This range is part of a growing trend towards lower alcohol by volume (ABV) wines, reflecting increased consumer interest in this category. These are the wines that stood out for me:(Prices are obviously subject to change and…
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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 latest additions to the Majestic range, including significant changes to their ‘Definition’ range where new wine producers have been swapped in to enhance quality. Additionally, Majestic has begun supplying to the hospitality sector and has acquired Vagabond Wines, a move that aligns with their strategy…
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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 was impossible to visit every producer’s stand or taste all the wines, I made a large effort to try as much as possible. However, I must have missed many great wines. The low-intervention approach taken by producers often results in wines that are not necessarily…
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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. This collection, priced under £10, encourages both winemakers and customers to explore lesser-known grape varieties. These Loved & Found wines not only offer a taste of the unusual but also support the innovative efforts of winemakers who embrace the challenge of creating something different. There…
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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 marked with ratings. A particular wine from a tour is generally available for up to two months, but it could sell out more quickly if it becomes popular. The idea behind these tours is to regularly update the selection, promoting variety and motivating customers to…
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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 with my notes: Black Chalk Classic English Sparkling 2020andBlack Chalk Rose 2020These English Sparkling wines from Hampshire, from a classic Champagne blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes have an ABV of 12.5% and have been aged for at least 18 months on…
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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 Masterclass ‘Hidden Gems’ led by Dirceu Vianna Junior MW. This session looked into the under-appreciated grapes of Portugal, shedding light on the potential and uniqueness of lesser-known varietals. The variety of grapes, terrains and winemaking methods in Portugal results in a vast diversity of wines…
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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 to serving the UK’s on-trade sector. This includes bars, pubs, restaurants, and hotels, catering to a clientele seeking unique and exquisite wine experiences beyond the ordinary offerings found in supermarkets. This tasting featured over 65 producers showcasing around 400 wines. The event provided an opportunity…
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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 out in the competitive retail market. This focus on design and sustainability reflects a new trend in the industry towards more environmentally friendly packaging solutions. The wines presented at the tasting fall into three main categories: core lines, seasonal offerings and new introductions set to…
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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 stewardship of The Sogevinus Group who also own the wine houses of Burmester, Cálem and Barros. Kopke’s large library of White and Tawny ports is a treasure trove, housing White and Tawny ports that have remained largely untouched for decades. Kopke has embarked on releasing…
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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 has expanded significantly, opening many shops and well as selling to the trade. Jeroboams held their Trade Portfolio Tasting, in London, on March 6th 2024. This was an opportunity to engage with their winemakers, taste their most recent offerings and explore new wines. There were…
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Through the Looking Glass
The Bibendum Spring Portfolio tasting, held on 27 February 2024, showcased 329 wines from England, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, USA, Canada, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Australia, China, New Zealand, and South Africa. Bibendum is mainly targeted at the on-trade sector, which means bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels. The fact that many of the wines were presented by the producers themselves added an extra layer of insight into the stories behind each bottle. I find that hospitality offerings often leave much to be desired, with wines that fail to meet expectations or accurately represent their region or type. Consequently, I sometimes…
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Furmint and Friends
This tasting was on the 27th February 2024, in London, organised by Wines of Hungary UK in partnership with the newly established Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency. It showcased an impressive array of 29 producers, presenting over 150 wines. The highlight of the event was a masterclass led by Caroline Gilby MW who imparted her extensive knowledge and insights. This masterclass provided attendees with a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the nuances of Hungarian wine. As usual, my focus was primarily on wines that are readily available in the UK market, rather than those seeking distribution, so you can…
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The Best of Rioja 2024
Tim Atkin MW hosted a wine tasting event on 13 February 2024 that featured over 300 wines from leading bodegas, many of which came to London specifically to showcase their wines. This event marked a first in either London or Rioja, with such an extensive collection of wines being presented for tasting. Tim dedicates three weeks each year to visiting the vineyards and producers and the wines included in this event were chosen based on Tim’s latest Rioja Report. The following producers where pouring wines: 220 Cántaras, Abel Mendoza, Alegre y Valgañon, Arizcuren, Artuke, Benjamin de Rothschild/Vega Sicilia, Berta Valgañón,…
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Lidl Italian and Iberian Wine Tours
In February 2024, I attended a Lidl wine tasting which showcased wines planned to be introduced during the Italian and Iberian wine tours in February and March 2024, respectively. Additionally, a selection of wines from Lidl’s existing collection was also being shown. Wine tours at Lidl are the wines displayed in wooden crates, each accompanied by scores. A specific wine from a tour is typically available for up to two months, although it may sell out sooner if it proves popular. The concept behind these tours is to refresh the selection periodically, ensuring variety and encouraging customers to return and…
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New Zealand London Trade Tasting 2024
The New Zealand London Trade Tasting on 6 February 2024 included of a walkaround tasting and a masterclass ‘New Zealand Road Trip’ by Oz Clarke. At this tasting I mainly tried Sauvignon Blanc but I also tasted a few Chardonnay, Albariño, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Syrah wine and even a red blend. Please see my article Understanding New Zealand Wines for an introduction. Not all New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs manage to recapture the distinctive qualities I remember of their early 1990s examples, such as Montana, before the era of mass production began. I like a Sauvignon Blanc that presents a…
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Australia Trade Tasting 2024
On 30th January 2024, the Australia Trade Tasting event showcased an impressive array of over 700 wines from 200 producers. Australia has a strong position in the UK off-trade (not consumed on premises) market, where it leads as the number one country of origin, having nearly double the market share of its closest competitor, Italy. For more background read my article on Understanding Australian Wine. The focus of my exploration was for wines that are already distributed in the UK, with an emphasis on affordability, though I also included more premium options for comparison. A key question I had in…
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Italian Wine Tasting and Masterclass
On the 29th of January, I had the pleasure of attending an event celebrating and promoting the 10th anniversary of The Essential Guide to Italian Wine, at Brown’s Hotel in London. A highlight of this tasting was the presence of one of Italy’s most well-known wine connoisseurs, Daniele Cernilli, also known as DoctorWine. The event featured a walk around tasting, offering the opportunity to experience a selection of wines from Italy’s leading regions. I also attended a masterclass, jointly conducted by Daniele Cernilli and Luigi Buonanno, who is the Head of Sales at Berkmann Wine Cellars. This masterclass focused on…
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Winetraders Italian Portfolio Tasting 2024
On 29 January 2024, Winetraders hosted their Italian Portfolio Tasting in London. Winetraders is an importer, retailer and distributor specialising in single estate wines with their range spanning across Italy, Spain, Germany, Australia and South America. What sets Winetraders apart is their exceptionally rigorous selection process, a meticulous approach ensuring that each wine in their portfolio not only demonstrates the unique characteristics of its origin but also offers unbeatable value. Here are the wines that I tried in no particular order: Here are the wines I liked the most with my notes/reasons. The prices are only indicative and vary across…
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Liberty Wines Annual Portfolio Tasting 2024
On 23 January 2024 I went to the Liberty Wines Annual Portfolio Tasting at the Kia Oval in London. Liberty Wines was established in March 1997 with a founding team of four alongside the backing of leading wine producers from Italy and Australia. In this, their 26th year the team has expanded to more than 185 staff members and a portfolio featuring over 375 wine producers. They were the IWC Agent of the Year in 2023. Liberty Wines doesn’t offer direct sales to the public, but comprehensive details on all their wines can be found at libertywines.co.uk. Their selection is…
Pick Lists
Majestic | The Wine Society | Tesco | Waitrose | Sainsbury’s | Morrisons | Co-op | Asda | Lidl | £7 and Under | Over £20
Did You Know?
Australian wine exports to China have collapsed from around $1.2 billion to less than $10 million. More
Wine’s aroma is not determined solely by which flavour compounds it contains. More
Low-to-moderate wine consumption is associated with lower mortality. More
Moderate water stress can be part of what creates flavour and terroir expression. More
Wine appears less frequently online than other alcoholic drinks. More
Independent retailers had 9% fewer customers in March 2026 than two years earlier. More
Average spend per bottle in independents has risen by 23% since 2019, compared with 21% in supermarkets. More.
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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