Reviews
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Millefiori Appasimento Veneto
From the Veneto region, renowned for its Amarone and Valpolicella wines, the Millefiori Appassimento Veneto is a different blend of Corvina and Merlot grapes. These grapes are selected from low-yielding vineyards in Northern Italy. 60% of the harvest undergoes the traditional appassimento method, where the grapes are dried in well-ventilated lofts. This technique, commonly associated with Amarone and certain styles of Valpolicella, concentrates the grapes’ aromas and flavours, resulting in richer and more complex wine. Produced and bottled by Puglia-based, not Veneto-based, Cantine Paolo Leo, this wine diverges from what is typical by using Merlot to complement the Corvina rather…
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Mouton Cadet Bordeaux Reds
Mouton Cadet owes its reputation to the passion and enthusiasm of the Rothschild family. They have cultivated a legacy of winemaking over three generations. This review is a side-by-side tasting of two Mouton Cadet wines: the Mouton Cadet Classic Rouge 2021 and the Mouton Cadet Cuvée Heritage 2019. The Mouton Cadet Classic Rouge 2021, made by winemaker Jean-Pierre Charrut, is predominantly Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with an ABV of 12.5%. Visually, this wine presents a slightly browner hue than one might expect for its age. On the nose, it reveals a slight leather aroma.…
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Kew Gardens Crémant de Loire Rosé Brut
This wine, created in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, features a beautifully designed label that captures the essence of nature. The nude cork adds a rustic charm, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. On pouring, the wine reveals a strong mousse and an attractive blush colour. The bottle label promises berry fruit and citrus elegance. When three of us sampled this wine, we noted a slight hint of strawberry, but it was the citrus, grapefruit-like, that dominated the palate. The wine is crisp and dry, with a refreshing acidity. Overall, this wine offers a refreshing experience, making it a…
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Wine Atlas Île-de-Beauté Rosé
The Wine Atlas Île-de-Beauté Rosé, 2023 vintage, comes from Corsica and is produced by Vignerons D’Aghione. It features a blend of Niellucciu, Sciacarellu (20%), Syrah (10%) and Grenache (50%), with a 4-month maturation period and an 11% ABV. The wine is a IWC Bronze Medal Winner 2024 and is a new wine in the Asda Wine Atlas range. It has a pale colour that appears darker in the wider-than-normal bottle. On the nose, it offers great floral aromas, which are both inviting and delicate. Despite the bottle’s claim of a delicious citrus palate, the taste is more characterised by redcurrant,…
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Wyfold Vineyard Brut 2017
Wyfold Vineyard Brut 2017 is a small release from a small site in Oxfordshire. Coming from Barbara Laithwaite CBE’s cherished two hectares of vineyards on the Chiltern Hills, this English Sparkling reflects her award-winning legacy. With accolades including a recent Gold at WineGB, a Silver Decanter Medal, and Bronze awards from both the International Wine Challenge (IWC) and the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), 3.9 score on Vivino and availability in some Michelin-starred restaurants, Wyfold Vineyard Brut 2017 has a excellent reputation. Released in 2022 after five years of maturation, this sparkling wine uses a blend of 50% Chardonnay,…
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Las dos Caras Ribera Del Duero
Las dos Caras Ribera Del Duero, a Tempranillo grape wine, is produced by Bodegas Muriel. This medium to full-bodied wine has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 14%. Despite being a white-label product, it is likely Valdecuriel by Bodegas Muriel. Upon pouring, the wine reveals a deep ruby red colour that you can’t see through, a cherry aroma, setting the stage for a tasting experience that is both familiar and intriguing. On the palate, the predominant flavours are cherry, accompanied by subtle notes of blackcurrant, creating a harmonious blend that is both rich and refreshing. The wine’s very dryness on…
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Bartolomeo Lorenzi Rosso Veronese 2021
From the prestigious Amarone specialist cooperative, Cantina di Negrar, celebrated as Italy’s 2019 Winery of the Year, comes the Bartolomeo Lorenzi Rosso Veronese 2021. Made by winemaker Daniele Accordini, this wine elegantly merges grapes from Valpolicella’s Classico region with air-dried Corvina, a hallmark of top-tier Amarone. While the light aroma isn’t the main focal point, the taste is where this wine truly shines. Light to medium-bodied with a 13% ABV, it offers a vibrant burst of fruit flavours. Cherry notes dominate, complemented by subtle hint of cocoa and sweet spice. The tannins are soft, making it exceptionally easy on the…
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A Mano New Vintages
I first came across A Mano wines at the Liberty Wines trade and press tasting in January 2024. A Mano wines are produced by winemaker Mark Shannon, originally from California and marketing expert Elvezia Sbalchiero. These wines are made from old grape vines, aged between 70 and 100 years, in Puglia. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in open vats using natural yeasts. Mark spends a lot of time in the vineyards to monitor phenolic development that contribute to the taste, colour and mouthfeel of the wines. The vines are small bush types called ‘alberello’, which are non-irrigated and low…
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Hunter’s Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Hunter’s Sauvignon Blanc, the wine that ignited the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc revolution, continues to shine brightly in its latest vintage. This iconic wine, which stole the show at the Sunday Times Wine Club Vintage Festival in 1986, is now meticulously crafted under the expertise of viticulturalist Jane Hunter, OBE, and Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for viticulture, alongside her winemaking nephew. From the renowned Wairau Valley, this Sauvignon Blanc has an ABV of 12.5% and presents the classic, vibrant flavours that have made it a favourite for decades. The 2023 vintage showcases a delightful medley of passion fruit,…
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Embrace the Summer With Rosé Wines
Rosé wine is enjoying a surge in popularity in the UK, according to CGA’s Wine Insight report. The data indicates that a third of consumers in Britain’s hospitality venues now typically opt for rosé, with 21% of them drinking it more frequently than the previous year. This growing enthusiasm has led to a significant 7.4% increase in rosé sales by value over the past year, a rate of growth that is double that of the still wine category overall. The appeal of rosé attracts a diverse group of drinkers. However, it is particularly popular among women, younger people and city…
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Domaine de Mourchon Loubié Cotes du Rhone Villages Rosé
Domaine de Mourchon, managed by British-born Walter McKinlay alongside talented winemaker Sebastien Magnouac, produces this 2023 vintage, rosé with 13% ABV. The Domaine’s uses low-yield Grenache grapes, ensuring a superior flavour profile. This wine is a pale salmon colour, very dry, but nevertheless well balanced by its aromatic, round and fruity character. On the nose, there’s enticing aromas of strawberries and slight floral notes. The palate follows through with the same strawberry flavours, enhanced by a slight herbal undertone. This wine is not only great on its own but also pairs well with a wide variety of foods. Priced at…
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Cabalié
If you spend any time on Instagram browsing wine-related posts, in the UK, you’ll almost certainly come across this wine, often advertised by Laithwaites with an enticing offer to lure you into making your first purchase. But is it any good? This Languedoc-Roussillon red has a respectable 4.1 rating on Vivino and ranks #2 in the Top 25 Languedoc-Roussillon Red wines in the United Kingdom. The previous vintage even scored 5 stars at the Concours International Gilbert & Gaillard. Made by master winemaker Hervé Sabardeil, this wine follows the centuries-old style beloved by Roman centurions. It’s a blend of Grenache,…
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Duca di Castelmonte Zibibbo
I discovered this wine at the Lidl Italian and Iberian Wine Tours tasting and subsequently purchased for deeper exploration. Zibibbo, better known globally as Muscat of Alexandria is one of the oldest genetically unmodified vines in existence, a heritage that lends an intriguing depth to this wine produced by Carlo Pellegrino in Sicily. Initially, my re-encounter with this wine was underwhelming as the flavours did not immediately resonate as remembered. However, the true character of the wine emerged once it had warmed up considerably, revealing an aroma rich in strong floral notes, notably honeysuckle, accompanied by an exotic array of…
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Morrisons Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
My wife recently pointed out an article in the Metro that praised Morrisons Villa Verde Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022 wine as providing the quality of a wine that could be double or even two and a half times its modest price of £6. This piqued my curiosity, particularly because I’ve repurchased a different, slightly pricier, £7.75, The Best Organic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2021 from the same store. Both wines are produced for Morrisons by Citra Vini Soc., the largest winegrowing cooperative in Abruzzo, comprised of about 5,000 family-run vineyards. This cooperative is renowned for its quality, having been ranked among the world’s…
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Wine on a P&O Cruise
I recently embarked on a short P&O cruise, primarily for a holiday rather than to scrutinise their wine offerings. However, I couldn’t help but take a few notes. The quality of wine on cruises can be unpredictable, with underqualified staff and seriously overpriced bottles due to the captive audience. However, P&O stands out from the typical cruise line experience. Predominantly serving UK customers and despite owned by the US-based Carnival Corporation, P&O offers a refreshing divergence from the usual US-centric wine selections found on other lines. While the standard, limited, wine offerings in the P&O bars and restaurants are mostly…
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Co-op Irresistible Provence Rosé
Produced by Les Maîtres Vignerons de Vidauban wine cooperative in the Côtes de Provence, this winery has been crafting wines for over a century. The 2022 vintage has 13% alcohol by volume and is vegan-friendly. This wine is distinguished by its delicate pale pink colour. The aroma is of small red fruits complemented by subtle floral notes, creating an inviting bouquet. The taste has a very fruity flavour profile that harmoniously combines with a pleasing acidity, making it very well balanced. This balance makes it versatile, pairing well with a variety of dishes including salads, pizza or spicy pasta dishes.…
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JPR Alicante Bouschet
If you come across this particular Portuguese wine at the Coop, its modest label and unfamiliar name might not immediately catch your eye. Alicante Bouschet is a varietal developed in the late 19th century by vine breeder Henri Bouschet. Henri crossed one of his father’s hybrids with the Grenache (or Garnacha) grape, resulting in an early-ripening variety with red skin and red flesh, termed a Teinturier red, which is rare. This type of grape, sometimes referred to simply as Alicante, typically provides bold flavours and has a deep colour making it useful for blending with wines to make them darker.…
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La Gioiosa et Amorosa Rosea NV
La Gioiosa et Amorosa Rosea NV was a great surprise gift at a recent dinner party, which is how I came to try this different wine. Produced by La Gioiosa, a prominent name in Italian wine known particularly for its Prosecco, this rosé variant offers a twist on the traditional. Helmed by winemaker Valerio Fuson, this wine features a modest alcohol content of 11% ABV and draws its name from the cheerful local motto, ‘Marca Gioiosa et Amorosa’, translating to ‘march with joy and love’. The wine enjoys a high rating of 4.0 on Vivino. Unlike typical Prosecco, the label…
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Marques De Valido Gran Reserva Rioja
The Marques De Valido Gran Reserva Rioja 2014 comes from a family winery operated by a father, son and cousin team. This is a Gran Reserva, which is typically only made in the finest vintages and spends two years maturing in oak barrels followed by another three years in the bottle. This wine has an impressive 4.1 score on Vivino. The 2014 vintage features a new bottle label and a slightly higher alcohol content of 13.5% ABV, than previous vintages. The wine has a lighter colour than I expected, also displaying more red than brown hues, which wasn’t expected given…
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Ángeles de Amaren
The Bodegas Ángeles de Amaren Rioja 2017 is a modern interpretation of Rioja Alavesa, consisting of a blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano grapes. I thought I’d try this wine again having previously singled it out at a Rioja tasting, although the vintage I received via retail is 2017, rather than 2019 as was in the tasting. The ‘Amaren’ range, translating to ‘of my mother’ in Basque, is a tribute by winemaker Juan Luis Cañas to his mother, Ángeles. The meticulous process behind this wine involves harvesting grapes from premier vineyard locations, personally sorted by Juan Luis Cañas, ensuring…
Pick Lists
Majestic | The Wine Society | Tesco | Waitrose | Sainsbury’s | Morrisons | Co-op | Asda | Aldi | Lidl | £7 and Under | Over £20
Did You Know?
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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