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  • Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico

    Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico

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    Simon Judge

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    Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico comes from an estate in Panzano in Chianti, with a documented history reaching all the way back to 1408. “Classico” matters here because it means the wine is from the original, historic Chianti zone, before the area was expanded much more widely. This is 100% Sangiovese, given 12 months of maturation in large Slavonian oak barrels, the 2023 vintage and it sits at 13.5% ABV. In the glass it’s slightly browning. The aroma is led by sour cherry and cloves, with a light touch of oak in the background. On tasting it feels very typical of…

  • Montidori Sangiovese

    Montidori Sangiovese

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    Simon Judge

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    This one comes from Emilia-Romagna in Italy. It’s made from Sangiovese, the grape behind Chianti, with a touch of appassimento, that dried-grape technique that brings extra mid-taste richness. It has a high 4.1 scrore on Vivino and this is the 2024 vintage. You get red fruit and caramel on the aroma straight away. Full bodied, with ripe fruit, then that caramel-tinged, gently spicy, long finish that hangs around in a very satisfying way. I happened to taste it alongside a Chianti Classico and it felt much rounder, but also less oaky than the Chianti, which made it really easy to…

  • Santa Lucia Chardonnay and Blue Agave Wine

    Santa Lucia Chardonnay and Blue Agave Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    This is a very different one, from Mexico. It’s a blend of Blue Weber Agave and Chardonnay, with the agave coming from Jalisco’s Highlands and the Chardonnay from Valle de Guadalupe. So what is agave? It’s a thick, fleshy, often spiky succulent plant, with leaves that radiate from a central stem. It’s the only plant used for producing authentic tequila. The “Weber” part of “Blue Weber Agave” is named after the botanist Frédéric Albert Constantin Weber, who is credited with deciding this was the best agave plant to use for tequila production. This wine a fairly dark colour in the…

  • Collin Bourisset Fleurie

    Collin Bourisset Fleurie

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine comes from a house established in 1821, based in and around the southern Burgundy to Beaujolais crossroads near Crêches-sur-Saône and La Chapelle-de-Guinchay. “The Authentic” on the label leans into a traditional character and you can feel it’s meant to echo the house’s history rather than chase trends. It’s Gamay grape, 2023 vintage, 13%, with an IWC Silver and 92 points, plus a hefty 97/100 from Club Oenologique. In the glass it sits pale to medium ruby, bright and inviting. The aroma is strawberry and raspberry at first, then rose petals float in and give it that Fleurie charm.…

  • Domaine du Clos Saint Martin Sancerre

    Domaine du Clos Saint Martin Sancerre

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine comes from the Loire Valley, produced by the Clément family near the hamlet of Amigny, just below the village of Sancerre. The Clément family have been winegrowers since 1560 and the estate is certified organic. This Sancerre is new and exclusive to Majestic, made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, sitting at 12.5% abv, from the 2024 vintage. It also received a gold medal at Challenge Millésime Bio. A tip, let it warm for 30 minutes from cold to get a lot out of this wine. In the glass the colour is pale lemon. The aroma brings intense nectarine and…

  • Three Bowls Assyrtiko

    Three Bowls Assyrtiko

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    Simon Judge

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    This is the third wine in the Three Bowls series from Greece. For the wider story behind this new range, take a look at the Three Bowls Xinomavro. It’s the 2025 vintage, sitting at 12.5% ABV, made from the Assyrtiko grape. In the glass the colour is extremely pale lemon, almost clear, so very striking. From very cold it comes across with real precision. The aroma brings citrus straight away, alongside a sea salt minerality and a subtle herbal edge that keeps things interesting. On the taste there is a powerful citrus and mineral core that drives everything forward. It…

  • Lucale Primitivo Appassimento

    Lucale Primitivo Appassimento

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine by Masseria Borgo dei Trulli comes from low yielding vineyards in the communes of Avetrana and Manduria, in the Province of Taranto in southern Puglia. It is 100% Primitivo. The label says Appassimento, which is usually the traditional Italian method where harvested grapes are dried for weeks or months, often on mats in ventilated rooms, to concentrate sugars, acids and flavour. However, this wine takes a different approach. In late August, when the grapes have reached perfect maturity, a special technique called il giro del picciolo, the twisting of the stem, is applied to around 50% of the…

  • Three Bowls Rosé

    Three Bowls Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    This is the second of three reviews of the Three Bowls range of Greek wines. See the previous review of Three Bowls Xinomavro for the background on this new range. This one is 2024 vintage at 12.5%. It is 60% Xinomavro and 40% Assyrtiko, from vineyards in Naousa, Imathia, an interplay of these two landmark Greek varieties. In the glass it has a lovely pale gold colour. The aroma is expressive, with strong strawberry, tomato leaf and rose petal. On tasting, it is dry and savoury, red fruit to the fore, lively acidity and a very subtle tannic grip. Sweetness…

  • Salvio Ribera de Duero

    Salvio Ribera de Duero

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine is produced by Dominio de Elbio, a new Ribera del Duero project from well-known winemaker David Gonzalez, recognised for his work across Bodegas Chivite, Viña Salceda and Gran Feudo within the Perelada stable. He was included in the Master Winemaker Top 100 2025, and brings meticulous attention to detail in the winery, with a clear focus on precision viticulture. The vineyard is located in the renowned magic triangle of La Horra, Anguix and Roa in the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. The wine is predominantly Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), complemented by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for…

  • Three Bowls Xinomavro

    Three Bowls Xinomavro

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    Simon Judge

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    This is from a new wine range created in house by Maltby & Greek and developed in collaboration with a select group of contemporary Greek winemakers. This is the first I tried, with a Rosé Xinomavro Assyrtiko and a White Assyrtiko also to follow. The range is designed to showcase the country’s most important grape varieties in a clear, contemporary way. The name ‘Three Bowls’ comes from an ancient Greek text by the comic poet Eubulus, who describes the effects of wine through a series of bowls, ‘krater’, the ancient drinking vessels, and the wisdom of limiting oneself to just…

  • Piccini Collezione Oro Chianti Superiore

    Piccini Collezione Oro Chianti Superiore

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    Simon Judge

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    Piccini Collezione Oro Chianti Superiore by Piccini. Collezione Oro translates to Gold Collection, and the range represents their more refined, region expressive wines that showcase both tradition and innovation. Chianti Superiore is a sub category of the Chianti DOCG, requiring stricter quality standards, slightly riper grapes and lower yields compared to base Chianti. The 2024 vintage is made from 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot. Fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, with gentle extraction techniques ensuring a graceful expression of tannins and vibrant fruit. The wine is aged for eight months in concrete vats and comes in at…

  • Irresistible Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva

    Irresistible Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva

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    Simon Judge

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    This Italian red comes from the Abruzzo region and is made by Botter for the Co-op. Montepulciano is the grape used here, not to be confused with the Tuscan town of the same name which is entirely unrelated. Being a Riserva and from the 2021 vintage, it’s been aged longer, likely in oak. This typically brings a fuller texture and subtle vanilla character, which is backed up by what’s written on the label. At first pour though, it underwhelms. There’s little aroma or flavour straight out of the bottle, which might lead some to dismiss it too soon. That would…

  • Calvet Chablis

    Calvet Chablis

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    Simon Judge

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    From the northern reaches of Burgundy near Auxerre in France, this wine is produced by Calvet, a well-known French wine house with over two centuries of winemaking heritage, now part of the Les Grands Chais de France group. Made entirely from Chardonnay, the sole grape permitted under the Chablis AOC, this is a 2023 vintage that has spent 8 to 10 months ageing on its lees in stainless steel vats, with regular stirring to build texture and complexity. It sits at 12.5% ABV. In the glass, it has a pale lemon colour. It benefits from being given a lot of…

  • Arpeggio Nero d’Avola

    Arpeggio Nero d’Avola

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2024 vintage comes from Cantine Settesoli, a Sicilian cooperative of 2,000 members. At 13% ABV, it is bottled at source and brought into the UK by Liberty Wines Ltd, one of the UK’s larger wholesaler-importers. The name Arpeggio refers to the musical technique where the notes of a chord are played one after another rather than all at once, creating a sense of progression and movement. The Nero d’Avola grape was first cultivated near the town of Avola, and its name reflects its deep, dark skin, meaning “Black of Avola.” The colour is slightly lighter than expected, bringing Pinot…

  • Calvet Fleurie

    Calvet Fleurie

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2023 vintage is made from 100% Gamay, with an alcohol level of 13.5 percent. The wine has been aged on fine lees for 10 months in stainless steel. The colour is a pale purple. The aroma is full and expressive, with intense strawberry and raspberry, alongside rose petals. On tasting, it is silky and perfumed with red fruit and a delicate texture, followed by an impressive mid taste lift of fruity sweetness. In terms of sweetness, it is actually dry, as I will explain later, with light but clearly discernible tannins. One thing I should mention is that, unlike…

  • Great Western Shiraz

    Great Western Shiraz

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine first caught my attention at the Asda Autumn/Winter press tasting, where I made a mental note to revisit it off the supermarket shelf. When it recently appeared on promotion, I didn’t hesitate to pick up a bottle. This is mix of 97% Shiraz with small amounts of Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Viognier, from the 2023 vintage, with a moderate 13.5% abv. It comes from Victoria, Australia, a cooler climate region that lends a very different expression compared to the usual jammy examples of this grape. It matured for 12 months in large and small French oak barrels.…

  • Bodeguero Rioja Blanco

    Bodeguero Rioja Blanco

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine from producer Ciadores de Rioja comes from a family-run bodega located just six kilometres from Logroño, right in the heart of the Rioja appellation. It’s estate bottled, not bulk bottled as many wines at this level tend to be, a requirement for all wines from Rioja at present. Made from Viura grapes, the 2024 vintage sits at 12% ABV. It opens with a lovely aroma of melon and apple, while the taste brings a refreshing mix of citrus and apple with a clean, fresh acidity. It pairs effortlessly with food, roast chicken worked brilliantly in my case. While…

  • Our Fathers ‘There is a Light’ McLaren Vale Shiraz-Grenache

    Our Fathers ‘There is a Light’ McLaren Vale Shiraz-Grenache

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    Simon Judge

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    From McLaren Vale, Australia, this red comes with a great endorsement. Jancis Robinson asked, “Surely wines like this would normally be much more expensive?”, which made it impossible not to investigate. It also forms part of The Wine Society’s Wine Champion selection, a curated collection of wines rigorously blind-tasted by their expert buying team and judged to be among the finest in quality and immediate drinkability. But before getting into the wine itself, the story behind it deserves attention. The Our Fathers Project was founded by British Master of Wine Giles Cooke MW, who already carries a strong reputation for…

  • Escarpment Martinborough Noir

    Escarpment Martinborough Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine stood out at the Waitrose Spring Press Tasting, so it deserved a closer look. From New Zealand’s North Island, this wine comes from Escarpment Winery, located in Martinborough. The name itself, Escarpment, refers to a long, steep slope that borders a plateau, reflecting the distinctive landscape that shapes this corner of the region. A quick glance at customer reviews on Waitrose’s website reveals mixed reactions, though much of the criticism stems from the 2022 vintage, which reportedly turned out cloudy. What matters here, however, is the 2023 release, and that’s the one really worth seeking out. It sits…

  • Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo and Spritz

    Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo and Spritz

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    Simon Judge

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    Majestic kindly sent me some samples of non-alcoholic Aperitivo and Spritz drinks to try for Dry January. I tasted them side by side, which allowed me to compare and contrast. Each was served over ice, mixed 50:50 with tonic. Martini Vibrante Non-Alcoholic AperitivoThis Italian aperitivo is infused with artemisia, bergamot, chamomile and a mix of other key botanicals. It uses de-alcoholised wine as its base and sits at under 0.5% alcohol by volume. The colour is a bit artificial-looking, like strawberry jelly, which might surprise those expecting a more natural hue. Flavour-wise, it delivers the familiar bittersweet style of vermouth,…

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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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