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  • Reguengos Reserva

    Reguengos Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    Brought back from a recent holiday in Portugal, this red comes from Reguengos, the largest sub-region within Alentejo. It’s a blend of Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez and Trincadeira. Many vineyards in Alentejo rely solely on natural rainfall, which forces the vines to send roots deep into the earth to access water, taking in nutrients and minerals that lie far below the surface. This particular wine has been matured in a mix of vat and French oak for twelve months. It’s produced by CARMIM, a cooperative that began in 1971 with just 60 farmers and now boasts around 700 members. CARMIM has…

  • NA.TI.VO Sangiovese

    NA.TI.VO Sangiovese

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    Simon Judge

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    It’s rare these days to come across a truly enjoyable wine in a modestly priced restaurant, but the NA.TI.VO Sangiovese found at the Franco Manca chain bucks the trend. Behind it is Botter, a producer with a knack for Italian wines that have impressed me more than once. The name NA.TI.VO stands for Natura, Tipicità and Vocazione, Nature, Typicality and Vocation, a declaration of intent that reflects an approach focused on preserving and enriching the natural environment, while respecting the harmony between grape variety, soil and climate. This particular organic Sangiovese comes not from Chianti, but from Puglia in southern…

  • Marques de Casa Concha Carménère

    Marques de Casa Concha Carménère

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    Simon Judge

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    I first discovered this wine at the Tesco Autumn Winter Press tasting and felt compelled to revisit it. Made by Viña Concha y Toro, one of Chile’s most storied and influential wineries, it carries a long heritage dating back to 1883 when Don Melchor de Concha y Toro and his wife Emiliana Subercaseaux established the estate. The ‘Casa Concha’ label was introduced in 1976 to showcase the winery’s premium offerings. The grapes, 90% Carmenère, 5% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, are grown in the Cachapoal Valley, with fruit sourced specifically from the vineyards of Peumo. The wine spends around…

  • Marcillac ‘Lo Sang del Pais’

    Marcillac ‘Lo Sang del Pais’

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    Simon Judge

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    This red comes from Marcillac‑Vallon in Aveyron, South-West France, an area known for its deep red soils rich in iron that lend a distinct identity to the wines grown there. Domaine du Cros brings us this bottle with a name that translates loosely as “the blood of the land,” a reflection of the bond between vine, soil and region. Made entirely from Fer Servadou, a grape known locally as Mansois, this unoaked 2023 vintage comes in at 13% ABV and offers a refreshingly individual character. As is typical with many French reds, it’s best to let it sit a while…

  • Vergelegen Millrace Red

    Vergelegen Millrace Red

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    Simon Judge

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    Vergelegen Millrace Red is a blend from one of South Africa’s most historic estates, in the Western Cape’s renowned Stellenbosch region. The estate dates back to 1700, founded by the Dutch governor at the Cape and has become known for producing wines in the Bordeaux style with a South African twist. The name ‘Mill Race’ comes from the Dutch-engineered channel diverting water from the Lourens River to power the estate’s old mill wheel. The wine brings together 41% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 12% Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot at 1%. It has been matured for…

  • Mar de Frades Albariño Brut Nature NV

    Mar de Frades Albariño Brut Nature NV

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    Simon Judge

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    Mar de Frades Albariño Brut Nature NV is a very different wine from the Rías Baixas DO. It is produced by the highly regarded Mar de Frades, established in 1987. Winemaker Paula Fandiño leads the way with this distinctive bottle-fermented sparkling wine, the first of its kind in the region using the traditional method. Made entirely from Albariño grapes, the fruit is picked early, ensuring lower sugar levels and preserving a delicate balance without tipping into excessive richness or sweetness. The wine is blended across two to three vintages to maintain a consistent character. No sugar is added during the…

  • Specially Selected Chianti Riserva

    Specially Selected Chianti Riserva

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    Simon Judge

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    I first came across this wine during the Aldi Autumn/Winter 2025 press tasting and was immediately taken with it, enough so to purchase a bottle for a closer look. This is a 2022 vintage with an alcohol content of 13%, made primarily from Sangiovese (70%), with the remaining percentage made up of other varieties allowed under the DOCG classification. There’s a slight brownish tint to the colour. The taste brings out wood and cherry, with tannins that sit comfortably between medium and low, ending with a great savoury quality that lingers. My wife and I enjoyed this over several evenings…

  • Passionada Alvarinho

    Passionada Alvarinho

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    Simon Judge

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    Passionada is the work of Anselmo Mendes, widely regarded as one of Portugal’s most accomplished winemakers. Mendes is known especially for his expressions of Alvarinho from the Vinho Verde region, just over the border from Spain’s Rías Baixas where Albariño thrives. Alvarinho it is genetically the same variety as Spain’s Albariño. The 2024 vintage of Passionada is made from 100% Alvarinho and has spent a few months on its lees. It sits at 12.5% ABV and has earned an impressive 4.1 rating on Vivino. In the glass, it has a pale green straw colour. My first observation is that this…

  • Abbotts & Delaunay Languedoc Blanc

    Abbotts & Delaunay Languedoc Blanc

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2024 vintage is a new wine from Jeanne Delaunay, a talented young winemaker who brings together the elegance of her Burgundian roots with the expressive wines of the Languedoc. This white blend features 60% Grenache Blanc and 40% Vermentino, aged for a modest five months on fine lees. Orange blossom and citrus grapefruit come through on the aroma, leading into flavours of apricot and more citrus on the tongue. The texture is soft and rounded, enriched by the lees ageing, with a long mineral finish that carries a subtle edge of salinity. Impressively, it remains enjoyable and evolves even…

  • Comparative Review of English Sparkling

    Comparative Review of English Sparkling

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    Simon Judge

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    This review began when Nyetimber kindly offered to send me some bottles for tasting, which led me to wonder whether I could broaden the scope to include a wider range of English Sparkling Wines. I was keen to explore the differences between Charmat and Traditional Method wines, and to compare various styles – rosé, vintage and non-vintage, as well as wines with some age behind them. With the festive season fast approaching, it felt like the perfect moment to take on the task. I reached out to a handful of PR agencies, vineyards and retailers to request additional samples and…

  • Wilson Gunn Bellum Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

    Wilson Gunn Bellum Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

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    Simon Judge

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    Wilson Gunn is a label under the RedHeads Wine umbrella, part of a wider Laithwaites family venture. RedHeads itself began life in the 1990s in McLaren Vale, launched by a band of winemakers with a rebellious streak and a mission to produce honest, small-batch wines outside the commercial mould. Henry Laithwaite, the eldest son of Tony and Barbara Laithwaite, began his winemaking journey in McLaren Vale. Around 2005, he found himself at RedHeads, working on this blend in its earlier form, building his experience with this bold style. The name Bellum draws from the Latin phrase “Aut pax aut bellum”…

  • Moulin Rose de Malescasse

    Moulin Rose de Malescasse

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    Simon Judge

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    Moulin Rose de Malescasse was one of the highlights for me at the Majestic press tasting, so I was keen to revisit it in more detail. It comes from the Haut-Médoc area of Bordeaux and is produced by Château Malescasse. The estate holds an impressive status as one of only 14 Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel properties in the region, the highest level in the Cru Bourgeois classification system. For those curious, I’ve previously written more on the tiers and their significance in my article on Understanding Cru Bourgeois du Médoc. Moulin Rose is the estate’s second wine. A château’s second wine…

  • Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Malbec

    Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Malbec

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine comes from rising Languedoc winemaker Jeanne Delaunay, daughter of winemakers Laurent and Catherine Delaunay. She brings a contemporary outlook combined with a strong respect for nature and the Burgundian heritage that shapes her approach. The wine name reflects the care taken to protect the wild plants, les fleurs sauvages, that grow along the edges of the vines. At 13 per cent ABV, the 2022 vintage is drawn from 30 year old Malbec vines and rests in oak barrels for seven to nine months. When people think of this grape, Argentina often springs to mind, although France is the…

  • Rectoral de Amandi Mencía

    Rectoral de Amandi Mencía

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    Simon Judge

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    This is a find from the Ribeira Sacra region in Galicia, in the north-west of Spain. I picked up a bottle during a visit to Spain, drawn in by its distinct look and relative obscurity, at least in the UK. What caught my eye immediately was its label, which features a bold pink tone. This choice wasn’t just about standing out on a shelf. It carries symbolic weight, matching the colour of the vestments worn by Cardinals in Rome. This creates a direct link to the heritage of the winery itself, which stands within a 17th-century rectory building. The wine…

  • Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône White

    Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône White

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    Simon Judge

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    Les Dauphins is a range that draws inspiration from the vibrant energy of the 1920s, evoking an era when Paris pulsed with culture and creativity. This was also the time when co-operatives began to take root and the wines from the Dauphiné corner of the Rhône Valley found favour among the capital’s bistro-goers. The wine is made by the Unions des Vignerons des Côtes du Rhône, a collective with over six decades behind it. This 2024 vintage blends 50% Grenache Blanc, 40% Viognier and 10% Marsanne, sourced from vineyards around the village of Tulette in south-eastern France. While the area…

  • Sibarita in Vigo, Spain

    Sibarita in Vigo, Spain

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    Simon Judge

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    In late October 2025, my wife and I found ourselves in Vigo, Spain, looking for a glass of Albariño to pass the time while we waited for the rain to ease. A quick online search led us to Sibarita, a wine and tapas bar situated just above the city’s main square. The name “Sibarita” is fitting. It’s a Spanish word for someone who relishes the finer things in life and this little spot certainly lives up to it. Sibarita is run by the affable and knowledgeable Gus García, who brings a unique energy to the place, being a DJ by…

  • Ca’ Bolani Sauvignon Blanc

    Ca’ Bolani Sauvignon Blanc

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    Simon Judge

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    The 2024 Ca’ Bolani Sauvignon Blanc is the sister wine to the previously reviewed Ca’ Bolani Merlot. Grown in the Friuli DOC Aquileia appellation, in the northeastern corner of Italy, it comes from the Zonin family’s extensive collection of estates. Acquired by Zonin in 1970, this was their first venture beyond the Veneto region. With around 600 hectares of vines, the estate ranks among the largest vineyard holdings in northern Italy. This is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc at 13% ABV. It’s worth giving it at least half an hour to warm from fridge temperature to appreciate everything it offers. Intensely…

  • Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages Chablis

    Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages Chablis

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    Simon Judge

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    Laurent Delaunay, a well-known Burgundian winemaker, brings a touch of contemporary charm to tradition with this Les Grappillages Chablis. This wine blends classic regional winemaking with modern elegance, the label adorned in a chic Toile de Jouy print more often seen in the world of high fashion than on supermarket shelves. Made entirely from Chardonnay, the grapes are grown in the cool and undulating terrain of the Yonne Valley. These vineyards rest on ancient Kimmeridgian limestone, the same prized soil that has long defined the character of Chablis. The name Les Grappillages is a reference to an old custom, the…

  • Ca’ Bolani Merlot

    Ca’ Bolani Merlot

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    Simon Judge

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    This 100% Merlot comes from the largest wine estate in Northern Italy, rooted in a landscape where vines have flourished since Roman times. Situated in the Friuli DOC Aquileia appellation in the northeastern corner of the country, it forms part of the Zonin family’s extensive portfolio of estates. Over the past twenty years, the estate has embraced a sustainable philosophy, introducing green manuring, using low-impact pesticides, supporting pollinator populations and maintaining untouched green areas to encourage the return of native wildlife. The 2023 vintage spent time maturing in oak barrels, following in the footsteps of earlier releases that have earned…

  • Calvet Fitou Le Grand Roi

    Calvet Fitou Le Grand Roi

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2022 vintage comes from the sun-soaked region of Languedoc in the South of France, produced under the Fitou appellation, which requires at least 40% Carignan in any blend. This wine brings together Black Grenache, Carignan and Syrah in a style that’s both expressive and easy to enjoy. The bottle stands out with an eye-catching label designed in collaboration with Marc Felten, a French painter known for his bold use of colour. It’s a fitting introduction to what’s inside, suggesting vibrancy and personality. Although the label describes it as ‘powerful and generous’, this doesn’t translate into the heavy structure you…

Pick Lists


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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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