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  • Mimo Moutinho Lisboa Red

    Mimo Moutinho Lisboa Red

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    Simon Judge

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    The 2021 Mimo Moutinho Lisboa Red from Aldi is made from the Touriga Nacional grape. Following the footsteps of its predecessor, the 2019 vintage, which Decanter praised for its ‘juicy brambles, liquorice and smoky tarry notes’, this wine maintains a high standard, scoring a respectable 3.8 on Vivino. On tasting, there’s red fruits. The wine is well-balanced, medium-bodied, with a taste very similar to that of the popular and ubiquitous Porta 6, perhaps intentionally so. When tasted back to back with the Porta 6, the Aldi version is slightly smoother despite having less alcohol at 13% rather than 13.5% for…

  • Produttori Primitivo di Manduria Riserva

    Produttori Primitivo di Manduria Riserva

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    Simon Judge

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    The 2019 vintage from Manduria’s Consorzio Produttori Vini showcases the deep-rooted history of the winery, founded in 1932. This year is proudly indicated on the label. This full-bodied wine, with its robust 14.5% alcohol content, is also suitable for vegans. The wine has been carefully aged in oak barrels for at least nine months, a process that has imparted a complexity and structure. The nose is rich with dark berry fruit, where blackberry and fig notes are predominant, followed by an undercurrent of liquorice. The high alcohol content is well-integrated, providing silky tannins that contribute to a good length and…

  • Masso Antico Negroamaro

    Masso Antico Negroamaro

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    Simon Judge

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    The Masso Antico Negroamaro from Salento, Puglia, comes with a reputation that sets high expectations. Awarded a gold medal at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2021 and rated 4.1 on Vivino, not to mention its IWSC bronze, this organic wine certainly has a lot to live up to. Upon uncorking, the first thing that strikes you is the colour—a youthful and thin hue that suggests a relatively young vintage, although the bottle doesn’t specify the year. The bouquet is advertised as intense, but I found it less so, lacking the robustness one might expect from a Negroamaro, a grape…

  • Triade Rosso IGT Puglia

    Triade Rosso IGT Puglia

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    Simon Judge

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    Triade Rosso is a interesting red wine from Puglia in Italy. This blend combines three grape varieties: Primitivo, Negroamaro, and Nero di Troia. The result is a wine that is deep red in colour, offering a different type of complexity. On the nose, the wine greets you with a bouquet of blueberries, dark cherries, cinnamon and black pepper. The taste is pleasing and spicy, with subtle hints of chocolate and oak that add depth to the flavour. The wine has gained a 3.8 rating on Vivino, which suggests it has been well-received. As someone who counts Primitivo and Negroamaro among…

  • Specially Selected Rioja Rosado

    Specially Selected Rioja Rosado

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    Simon Judge

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    Aldi’s Specially Selected Rioja Rosado 2022 has a DOC certification. While it’s advertised as being pink, I think the wine has a more golden hue. My wife, who picked this wine from Aldi, likens its taste to that of rosehip cordial. It’s a dry wine with a hint of fruitiness, making it ok on its own but I think it’s better when paired with food. The 2021 vintage of this wine was handpicked by Olly Smith. Priced at £5.49 at the time of writing this review, down from £6.49, it offers good value, especially considering the 2021 vintage was priced…

  • Specially Selected Toscana Rosso

    Specially Selected Toscana Rosso

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    Simon Judge

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    The Specially Selected Toscana Rosso 2021 is a red, 14% alcohol, wine that’s medium to full-bodied. Its origins are somewhat shrouded in mystery, with the bottle labels being coy about the wine producer. Despite the lack of provenance, there’s a clue of its origin on the back label – a mention of bottled for Buontalenti Srl, which matches the collaborative effort of small growers and expert winemakers mentioned on the front label. The blend, though again not explicitly stated, is likely a classic Super Tuscan trio: Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. There’s a resemblance to Terre del Buontalenti from Majestic,…

  • Corte Lenguin Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore

    Corte Lenguin Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore

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    Simon Judge

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    I recently had the pleasure of dining at the excellent Mercato Italiano in Bridport, Dorset. It was here that I discovered the Corte Lenguin Valpolicella Ripasso, DOC certified and medium to full-bodied. The blend of Corvina Veronese, Corvinone and Rondinella grapes blends beautifully to create a great flavour. A high rating of 4.0 on Vivino hints at the wine’s popularity. The ruby red hue prepares the palate for the burst of fruitiness. On the first sip, you get a mix of cherry and blueberry with whispers of spices and liquorice. Elegance is the term that best describes the tannin profile…

  • Blutengarten Riesling

    Blutengarten Riesling

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    Simon Judge

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    I have just had the pleasure of trying a wine that I wouldn’t have picked up myself due to its very low price, but my wife did, and I must say it was a great surprise. With a 3.9 score on Vivino, this wine punches above its weight. It’s off-dry, making it versatile enough for a variety of food pairings or enjoyable on its own. The flavour profile features apple, gooseberry and lime. These flavours come together in a harmonious blend that’s both refreshing and complex. It’s the kind of wine that you might expect to pay a premium for,…

  • Pazzia Primitivo di Manduria

    Pazzia Primitivo di Manduria

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    Simon Judge

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    This Primitivo di Manduria has gained a reputation, not just for its 4.2 rating on Vivino but also for being among Vivino’s the top 25 Southern Italy Primitivo wines in the United Kingdom at the time of writing this review. A previous 2019 vintage was a Bronze IWC winner. Decanter’s review of previous vintages, which scored an 89, described it as inky dark in the glass with bags of ripe, fleshy fruit flavour, think black cherries and salted plums, velvety, rich and fruit-forward. The 2021 vintage is full-bodied and aromatic. It’s not as tannic as you might expect, which can…

  • Pontarelli Toscana Rosso

    Pontarelli Toscana Rosso

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine, IGT classified, is a blend of 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and a dominant 70% Sangiovese produced exclusively for Marks & Spencer. It undergoes a mixed fermentation process, utilising a combination of concrete, stainless steel tanks and large oak casks. This method is designed to enhance the wine’s fruit characters. Critics seem to appreciate this wine, with Decanter awarding it an 89 and even listing it among Marks & Spencer’s top wine buys for the summer. On Vivino this 2020 vintage stands out with a 3.9 score, rating higher than any of its predecessors. Upon tasting, the wine…

  • Ravenswood Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel

    Ravenswood Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel

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    Simon Judge

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    Ravenswood, once a revered producer closely linked with the renowned winemaker and owner, Joel Peterson, has seen a series of transitions. Initially acquired by Constellation for $149 million, it was later bundled with other brands and sold to the large wine conglomerate, Gallo, in 2021 for $1.7 billion. It’s essential to note that while the brand transitioned, the vineyard did not. This means that this wine’s lineage has changed and the great reviews prior to this are not reflective of the current product. The origin of the grapes is now somewhat ambiguous, but it’s highly unlikely they come from the…

  • Diablo Crystal Sauvignon Blanc

    Diablo Crystal Sauvignon Blanc

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    Simon Judge

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    When it comes to Chilean wines, Concha Y Toro is a mass producer that delivers wines that are both accessible and enjoyable. With a commendable score of 3.9 on Vivino and a ranking as the #2 top Chilean Sauvignon Blanc in the UK, expectations were high. As someone who enjoys the robust flavours of the sister wine, Diablo Black Cabernet Sauvignon, and the crispness of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, I was intrigued to see how this particular bottle would measure up. The initial nose promised a tropical adventure, with notes of passion fruit leading the way. However, upon tasting, the…

  • Sainsbury’s Cava Brut

    Sainsbury’s Cava Brut

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    Simon Judge

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    Sainsbury’s Cava Brut is a great find for those who are looking for a middle ground, taste-wise, between Prosecco and Champagne. Fermented in the bottle using the traditional method, this Cava features a blend of Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada grapes. While the reviews on Sainsbury’s website are a mixed bag, I suspect that some of the less favourable comments may be down to serving temperature. A word of advice: don’t serve this Cava straight from the fridge because it doesn’t taste of much. Letting it warm up for about 20 minutes really brings out its citrus aromas and green apple…

  • Greyfriars Non Vintage Cuvée

    Greyfriars Non Vintage Cuvée

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    Simon Judge

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    This English NV Sparkling Cuvée uses the three traditional Champagne varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Drawing from the 2014, 2015 and 2016 vintages, this sparkling wine has been aged in bottle for two years on its lees. It’s no surprise that it won the 2023 WineGB Gold Medal. The Cuvée is soft and dry, revealing lemon, apple and mineral flavours. It’s a worthy alternative to NV Champagne. This is a great choice for those keen on supporting the English wine industry and the ‘buy local’ movement. Priced at £22 when purchased directly from the vineyard, it’s also available…

  • Espartero Reserva Rioja

    Espartero Reserva Rioja

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2017 Reserva, from Bodegas Riovinsa, previously won a bronze medal from the International Wine Challenge, where it was described as having notes of herbs, tea leaves and red cherries. It was also a Bronze Winner at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards. Since its establishment in 1926, the winery has been operated by three successive generations of the Murua family. This wine is made mainly from Tempranillo grapes and undergoes a three-year aging process, with at least 12 months spent in oak barrels and an additional six months in the bottle. I found this wine to be dry, medium…

  • Passo del Cardinale Primitivo di Manduria

    Passo del Cardinale Primitivo di Manduria

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    Simon Judge

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    I recently had the pleasure of trying a Primitivo that has been given an award by Gambero Rosso magazine, a global authority on Italian food, wine and travel. With a rating of 4.1 on Vivino and an impressive 4.3 for its latest 2022 vintage, this wine piqued my interest. Upon tasting, I found it to be medium to full-bodied, maintaining a good balance with Black Forest-fruit flavours and a subtle note of vanilla. It’s not as intense as, for example, La Masseria Del Borgo, but rather more akin to a classic Primitivo. In my opinion, it’s more suitable to be…

  • Montagne Saint Emilion

    Montagne Saint Emilion

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    Simon Judge

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    Montagne Saint Emilion, produced by Armand Chaperon, has garnered attention with its impressive awards, including the IWSC Bronze Medal, IWC Bronze Medal and Decanter World Wine Awards Bronze in 2023. With such high expectations, it’s easy to see why I was keen to give it a try. The wine was even compared to the much-admired Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a comparison that’s particularly enticing given its more budget-friendly price point. A review on Asda’s website suggested that the difference between the two is so subtle that it’s hard to distinguish. However, my experience with the 2020 vintage was far from what I anticipated.…

  • Bosman Nero

    Bosman Nero

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    Simon Judge

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    In 2021, South Africa introduced Bosman Nero, its first Nero d’Avola, a collaboration with actor and filmmaker Thapelo Mokoena, who is a shareholder in the project. Created by winemaker Corlea Fourie, this wine is made from Nero d’Avola, a vine chosen for thriving in sun-rich, water-scarce African soil. With a commendable 3.9 score on Vivino and a place among the Top 19 South African Red wines in the United Kingdom, it’s a wine that liked by many. Decanter’s score of 89 adds to its reputation. My wife, always looking for something different, picked up this medium bodied Nero d’Avola produced…

  • Morandé ‘One to One’ Gewürztraminer

    Morandé ‘One to One’ Gewürztraminer

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    Simon Judge

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    Morandé was the first winery in the Chile Casablanca Valley and were the first to receive sustainable certification in Chile. Their One to One Gewürztraminer is different in that each bottle originates from a single vine, thus explaining the product’s name. The word ‘Gewürz’ means ‘spice’ in German, reflecting the wine’s unique flavour profile, which is aromatic and strongly flavoured as with notes of lychee, rose petal and ginger. Gewürztraminer’s pronounced character can be polarising, with some wine drinkers loving its distinctive aromatic intensity and others finding it too overpowering. Gewürztraminer wine pairs well with Chinese and Thai spicy dishes.…

  • ASDA Extra Special Carménère

    ASDA Extra Special Carménère

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    Simon Judge

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    Carménère, originally cultivated in the Médoc region of Bordeaux, France, is part of the Cabernet family. It derives its name from the French term for crimson, “carmin”. Despite its French origins, it’s not frequently found in France today, with Chile boasting the world’s largest plantations of this grape variety. The 2020 vintage of ASDA Extra Special Carménère received a commendable score of 91 points out of 100 from the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), who praised its rich concentration of fruit flavours, nuanced spice and oak accents and distinct savoury and smoky notes. This particular vintage also has a…

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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