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  • L’Occhiolino Rosato

    L’Occhiolino Rosato

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    Simon Judge

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    This is, in essence, a Rosé Lambrusco, but if your know Lambrusco from the distant past, don’t be too quick to judge. Unlike the overly sweet versions of the past, this one is crisp, dry, and refreshingly modern. Lambrusco is making a well-deserved comeback, and for those in the know, it’s a grape well worth rediscovering. L’Occhiolino means ‘wink’. Made by Cantina di Carpi e Sorbara co-operative, an alliance of 1,200 dedicated producer partners, this rosato is comes from the rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna near Modena, Italy. A blend of 80% Lambrusco Sorbara and 20% Lambrusco Salamino, it is produced…

  • Calvet Sancerre Rosé

    Calvet Sancerre Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    This Rosé is from the Loire Valley, France, with an ABV of 12.5%, vintage 2023. It has a pale pink colour with an aroma of red fruits. The taste is dry but not overly so, with a strong strawberry taste. What makes it particularly great is the round and mellow mouthfeel. Many other French rosé wines are Grenache-based blends, which often lack the depth of flavour and roundness achieved by this Pinot Noir-based rosé. Rosé makes up only about 1% of Sancerre’s total output. Rosé wines are often, but not always, compromised in their creation, made to meet consumer expectations…

  • Kew Gardens Mencía

    Kew Gardens Mencía

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    Simon Judge

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    Launched in 2023 as part of a collaboration between Laithwaites and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the ‘Kew Series by Laithwaites’ highlights lesser-known grape varieties while promoting the importance of plant diversity in viticulture worldwide. The latest addition to the series is a fresh and different red wine made from the newly-revived Mencía grape. This 2022 vintage comes from Bierzo, a region in northwest Spain renowned for its expertise in Mencía. The wine undergoes three months of barrel aging, adding depth and character to its profile. Visually, it features a natural aesthetic, with a naked cork (no capsule) and a…

  • De Bortoli Botrytis Semillon

    De Bortoli Botrytis Semillon

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    Simon Judge

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    De Bortoli’s Botrytis Semillon Family Reserve is a great example of Australia’s ‘stickies’, a colloquial term for their sweet, dessert-style wines. Made exclusively from 100% Sémillon grapes, the wine is made under the influence of the Botrytis Cinerea fungus, also known as ‘noble rot’. This beneficial fungus, thriving under the right climatic conditions, concentrates the sugars and flavours in the grapes, resulting in an opulent and richly complex wine. The 2020 vintage, 9% ABV, offers a luxurious aromatic profile, dominated by notes of apricot and citrus. Its texture is exceptionally syrupy, delivering a luscious mouthfeel. The taste reveals a great…

  • Chosen by Majestic Pinotage

    Chosen by Majestic Pinotage

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    Simon Judge

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    Pinotage is a grape variety that often flies under the radar and often offers hidden, affordable treasures at least for me. Originally cultivated in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University, Pinotage is a crossbreed of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. Renowned for its rich colour and bold flavours, this grape is synonymous with South Africa, though it has also found a home in other regions, including New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Switzerland and Israel. This wine comes from the Majestic ‘Chosen by Majestic’ range, a more affordable alternative to its Definition range. Offering exceptional value at…

  • Fairtrade Organic Malbec

    Fairtrade Organic Malbec

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    Simon Judge

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    I first encountered the Fairtrade Organic Malbec during a wine tasting I hosted, but with the 2022 vintage. Its atypical profile made a strong impression on me and it became one of my picks for its nuanced character, which stood out against the typical Malbecs. The 2023 vintage, now at 12.5% ABV compared to the 13% of 2022, intrigued me. I wondered if the reduction in alcohol content was a response to upcoming UK duty tariff changes or something related to vineyard management. Climate seems an unlikely factor, given the arid, high-altitude conditions of the Famatina Valley where the grapes…

  • Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva

    Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    I recently came across and purchased a newly listed wine at Aldi, the Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva (2014 vintage), with a brown label and gold mesh. This wine is produced by Pagos del Rey, part of the Felix Solís group, one of the largest family-owned wineries globally. It different to the Criadores de Rioja produced Gran Reserva (black on white label) also under the Baron Amarillo name. The wine has the classic cherry aroma typical of a Rioja but carries hints of leather and caramel. Taste wise, it is soft, yet the finish is unexpectedly dry, with notes of dark…

  • The Traitor Red Blend

    The Traitor Red Blend

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    Simon Judge

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    As I write this, a new season of the hugely popular show The Traitors is captivating audiences on UK TV. Possibly by coincidence, Majestic has introduced a new Chilean own-label wine range intriguingly titled The Traitor, complete with its own fascinating backstory: The legend of the Añañuca flower tells of a young indigenous woman from Monte Rey who falls in love with a miner, rejecting the advances of other men. The miner, consumed by a dream revealing the location of a treasure-filled mine, abandons her without hesitation and never returns. Heartbroken, Añañuca eventually dies. The day after her burial, the…

  • Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir

    Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    Coming from the coastal San Antonio region in Chile, Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir is made using traditional Burgundy vinification methods. This wine is aged in a mix of foudres and partially new oak barrels, adding depth and complexity to its character. This 2021 vintage has earned considerable acclaim, receiving 93 points from Tim Atkin, a Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) and 92 points from the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Notably, it is now part of Tesco’s new premium wine selection, previously accessible only through independent wine merchants. My first encounter with it was…

  • Bruce Jack Pinotage Malbec

    Bruce Jack Pinotage Malbec

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    Simon Judge

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    This South African red wine from the Breedekloof Valley in the Western Cape is a more unusual blend of 70% Pinotage and 30% Malbec. Pinotage is a grape that tends to produce wines that polarise opinion, but I find this wine to be a standout example. It opens with a lovely smoky aroma, complemented by enticing notes of blackcurrant, without any excessive volatile aromas or burntness that you can get with Pinotage. On the palate, the continued smoky and blackcurrant flavours are rich and satisfying, paired with a very round mouthfeel. While the influence of the Malbec isn’t distinctly noticeable,…

  • Waitrose No.1 La Val Albariño

    Waitrose No.1 La Val Albariño

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    Simon Judge

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    I very briefly mentioned this wine in the Waitrose Autumn Press Tasting and it warranted closer exploration. Produced by the Spanish winery Bodegas La Val, this 2023 vintage Albariño is made without oak, offering a clean and expressive character. The most intriguing aspect of this wine is how its profile transforms so dramatically as it warms, yet it maintains its appeal whether served very cool or at a warmer temperature. When served well chilled, this wine has a fresh, citrusy profile with a distinct salty, saline quality that reflects the ‘gentle coastal character’ noted on the back label and illustrated…

  • Belle France Bordeaux Rouge

    Belle France Bordeaux Rouge

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    Simon Judge

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    This bottle of Belle France Bordeaux Rouge, purchased as part of Aldi’s Wine of the Week promotion, represents excellent value for money and is almost certainly sold at below cost to get customers into stores. Priced at £9.99, and reduced to only £4.99, which is quite a bargain for a Bordeaux. The wine is a blend of Merlot (65%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Cabernet Franc (10%), made by Producta Vignobles, a cooperative with a long history of pioneering the sale of AOC wines in supermarkets since 1960. This level of traceability to an identifiable producer, via a barcode on the…

  • Domaine Philippon Frères Chablis

    Domaine Philippon Frères Chablis

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    Simon Judge

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    I first encountered Domaine Philippon Frères Chablis at a Lidl press wine tasting and was impressed enough to seek it out again. My aim was to confirm that the version available in shops matched the quality I initially experienced. This Chablis, with an ABV of 12.5%, comes from Burgundy and is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. It’s noteworthy that Lidl has opted to include the named producer for this wine, a move that’s somewhat unusual for their offerings. Even though it’s a relatively new addition to Lidl’s core range it already has an admirable 4.0 on Vivino. The wine has…

  • Deluxe New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

    Deluxe New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

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    Simon Judge

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    I first discovered and enjoyed this wine during the Lidl Winter Wine Tours press tasting and decided to try it again to explore in more detail. Produced in the Awatere Valley, this 2022 Sauvignon Blanc (12% ABV) is part of the Lidl Deluxe core line. From the winemaker signature ‘Priyanka K’ on the front label, it seems likely that it was produced by Priyanka Kulkarni of Indevin, a leading New Zealand wine producer who actually acquired Villa Maria and associated well-known brands in 2021. This Sauvignon Blanc offers the typical aromas of passion fruit, gooseberry and lemongrass, complemented by an…

  • Royal Tokaji Late Harvest

    Royal Tokaji Late Harvest

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    Simon Judge

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    The 2021 vintage was a particularly great year for Tokaji wines and this Royal Tokaji Late Harvest showcases a wine from this year. Founded as a joint venture between about 62 local wine growers and international investors, including the celebrated wine author Hugh Johnson, Royal Tokaji has a mission to restore and preserve the quality of Tokaji wines. While Tokaji Aszú wines are more concentrated and typically reserved for special occasions, Late Harvest such as this offers a lighter, more versatile option. Late Harvest more easily pairs with a variety of dishes, from cheese and desserts to something unexpected like…

  • Cap Maritime Pinot Noir

    Cap Maritime Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    Tesco has introduced another noteworthy addition to its wine range as part of its, previously mentioned, continued focus on premium offerings. Cap Maritime Pinot Noir, imported by New Generation Wines, is also available through select independent wine merchants. This South African wine comes from the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in the Cape South Coast region. The 2023 vintage, by winemaker Gottfried Mocke, has an alcohol level of 13% and reflects a deliberate winemaking style that prioritises texture and perfume over the opulence of primary fruit. Aged for 12 months in French barriques, the wine is also vegan and has earned a…

  • Specially Selected Rioja Reserva

    Specially Selected Rioja Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    Aldi’s Rioja can be a bit confusing due to their approach to branding. They produce many wines under the Baron Amarillo label, which is just a white-label name and not tied to any specific producer. Under this name, Aldi also sells other Riojas, including those I mentioned during the Autumn/Winter press tasting. Two excellent options I found then were the Gran Reserva by Criadores de Rioja and the Reserva by Bodegas El Somo, both of which offer great taste for their price. This particular wine is a Reserva, distinct from the previous Gran Reserva by the same Criadores de Rioja.…

  • No.1 Margaux

    No.1 Margaux

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    Simon Judge

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    Having initially tried this wine during a press tasting, I was keen to revisit it at leisure to gain a fuller appreciation and ensure its consistency over time. Waitrose No. 1 Margaux, 2021 vintage, is a new addition to Waitrose’s wine range. This blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an ABV of 13%, is made exclusively for Waitrose & Partners in partnership with Château Soussans and the renowned Maison Sichel. It spends 12 months maturing in French oak barrels. The wine evokes a wet, woody aroma, reminiscent of a walk in the forest, with distinct notes of…

  • Muga Rioja Reserva

    Muga Rioja Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    Muga is one of the most iconic and traditional bodegas in Rioja. Situated in the historic railway quarter of Haro, the capital of Rioja Alta, Muga is renowned for eschewing stainless steel tanks in favour of time-honoured methods. The bodega even operates its own cooperage, creating barrels from a variety of oak sources and carefully toasting them to achieve the perfect flavour balance. At any time, the winery houses an impressive 17,000 barrels, with 60% made from French oak and the rest from American oak sourced from Kentucky and Ohio. This Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and…

  • The Best Alvarinho

    The Best Alvarinho

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    Simon Judge

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    Another gem chosen by my wife, one I might never have stumbled across (the wine, not wife) otherwise. This 2021 vintage from Casal de Ventozela in northern Portugal has a 12% ABV. Although the ‘Vinho Verde’ mentioned on the label might suggest a lighter style, don’t be misled, this wine delivers remarkable depth and character. Aged on its lees for four months post-fermentation, it amplifies its delicious stone fruit flavours and achieves an added layer of richness. It opens with an intense aroma of apricot, drawing you in. Taste wise, it’s dry, though it gives the impression of being slightly…

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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