Reviews
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Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling Wine
Part of my #awards25 series, this South African sparkling has a Gold Medal from the IWSC 2025 with an impressive 96 points. It’s from Robertson in the Western Cape and is an example of a ‘blanc de blancs’, a term that means white wine made solely from white grapes. In this case, it’s 100% Chardonnay. Produced using the Méthode Cap Classique, South Africa’s take on the Traditional Method used in Champagne, it undergoes its second fermentation in the bottle. This is the 2019 vintage, though it was only disgorged in 2024, allowing time for ageing. The bubbles are small and…
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Screaming Devil Côtes de Provence Rosé
I’ve previously written about this wine, picking it out at Asda press tastings. The new 2024 vintage had a lot to live up to, so I was eager to see whether it matched the standard set by earlier years. For anyone unfamiliar, Screaming Devil is a tongue-in-cheek spin on Whispering Angel, a name that quickly caught attention, helped along by a sleek bottle design and a price tag that made it an instant favourite among fans of more premium rosé. At 12.5%, this ‘dupe’ is made from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah grapes. It’s produced and bottled at…
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Ramos Family Reserva Tinto
This is a great red I came across at the London Wine Show, showed by Oakley Wine Agencies, the UK importer. Originating from Portugal, it’s the result of João Portugal Ramos’ work in Estremoz, Alentejo, where he began planting vines back in 1989. The wine brings together Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional grapes and a handful of indigenous varietals with part of the blend aged in oak. At 13% ABV and from the 2023 vintage, it’s approachable straight from the bottle without the need for breathing. It opens with a caramel aroma that leads into a dry yet fruit-driven character, rich…
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Louis Couturier Crémant de Bordeaux Rosé
A sparkling Rosé from the heart of the Entre-deux-Mers, the stretch of land between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Dry in style and produced by Les Grands Chais de France, a large cooperative and négociant house known for its wide portfolio across Bordeaux and beyond, this wine comes in at 11.5% ABV. It is made predominantly from Merlot at 90% with a touch of Cabernet Franc making up the rest. Its quality has not gone unnoticed, earning a Bronze medal at the IWC 2025. It pours with a rose gold hue, throwing off a fine stream of small bubbles in…
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Leyda Pinot Noir Rosé
This Pinot Noir rosé from Chile is made by the renowned Chilean winery Viña Leyda. It comes from Chile’s Valle de Leyda in the San Antonio Valley, part of the Aconcagua region. Viña Leyda is widely recognised and is the most awarded coastal winery in Chile. Its reputation is further bolstered by the achievements of its team, with viticulturist Tomas Rivera being named Best of the Year in Tim Atkin’s 2022 Chile report, two years after Viviana Navarette was selected as his Best Winemaker. This 2023 vintage sits at 12.5% ABV and is made entirely from Pinot Noir. The grapes…
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Comte de Saint Emmanuel
This arrived by accident, a substitute for a bottle that never turned up. The name may sound grand, but it’s a white label name without particular provenance. However, behind it is the producer Amand Chaperon, with grapes coming from the Entre-Deux-Mers region. A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it promised familiarity, though expectations were kept low given its 2024 vintage. I suspected something overly tannic and too young to enjoy now. It opens with a dark fruit aroma, immediately giving way to a generous burst of fruit on the first sip. The structure is medium bodied, with medium tannins…
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Granite Hill Old Vine Zinfandel
This was my favourite red at a recent Tesco press tasting and one I was keen to revisit in more detail. From Lodi in California, this wine is a blend of 75% Zinfandel, 15% Teroldego and 10% other varieties, made by the Kautz family and is vegan. Its name reflects the rocky, granite-rich soils where the family’s vineyards are planted. The Zinfandel and Petite Syrah components spend time in both French and American oak, which contributes to its complexity. It’s a generous 14.5% ABV and won a silver award in the 2025 IWC. Despite being a 2022 vintage, it’s already…
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Viña del Cura Rioja Blanco
This wine made its first impression on me at a Tesco press tasting. This 2023 vintage sits at 13% ABV and is made from a blend of 90% Viura and 10% Tempranillo Blanco, produced by Barón de Ley. It’s vegan-certified and has spent time on lees, followed by four months in American oak barrels. The aroma leans towards tropical with a gentle backdrop of oak, suggesting something bright yet grounded. On the tongue, there’s a mix of fruit, oak and a soft, bready richness with a warmth that lingers slightly at the end. What’s striking is how rounded it feels…
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Triennes Rosé
I came across this wine at a family gathering. There was nothing about the label to suggest it comes from Provence. The bottle itself doesn’t follow the visual cues you often see with Provençal rosé with no fancy lable or stylised bottle design. It’s modest, understated. The surprise is entirely in what’s inside. Only after the gathering, when curiosity led me to look into it, did I discover its true origin, from the heart of Provence. Triennes is a respected estate situated in the Var region to the east of Aix-en-Provence. It’s the result of a collaboration that began in…
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Château La Garde
I picked this up a few months ago from Aldi when it was featured as ‘Wine of the Week’ at a tempting £4.99, though the final price was £5.75 since I happened to be visiting Wales at the time. On a side note, Wales has some peculiar minimum pricing rules and, oddly, even the large Tesco stores seemed to offer only a fraction of the range you’d find in England. I wasn’t entirely sure what I’d bought, though the pricing label suggested it normally retails at £19.99. A little digging revealed this 2017 vintage to be a blend of 52%…
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La Belle Angèle Pinot Noir
This 2023 vintage offers an easygoing yet lively expression of southern French winemaking. Named after a celebrated muse of the Belle Époque, known for inspiring French Impressionist painters with her beauty and spirit, the wine carries a sense of charm. With its origins in the Languedoc, drawing fruit from the sun-drenched plains near Béziers and Valras-Plage as well as the higher ground of the Minervois, it captures a warm, Mediterranean spirit. At first pour, a scent of red berries rises gently, hinting at cherries and perhaps a touch of raspberry. Unlike some Pinots that lean into earthiness or darker, forest…
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Definition Mosel Riesling Kabinett
Mosel Riesling Kabinett is part of Majestic’s own-label ‘Definition ‘ collection, designed to showcase what they see as the definitive expression of a particular grape, region or style. In this case, the German Kabinett classification represents the lightest, earliest harvested style in the Prädikatswein hierarchy, produced from grapes picked just beyond ripeness. This results in a wine where gentle sweetness should be met with a poised lift of acidity. This particular example comes from Dr Loosen, a producer whose wines rarely disappoint me. The 2023 vintage carries a modest 8% ABV. The short period resting on the lees lending an…
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Castello di Albola Chianti Classico
Castello di Albola Chianti Classico is a red wine from a historic estate perched high in the hills of Radda in Chianti. The grapes are organically grown in the heart of Tuscany, with the estate’s lineage reaching back to the Middle Ages. Since 1979 it has been under the care of the Zonin family, who have lovingly restored it to its present splendour. The 2023 vintage is produced from a blend of the finest organic Sangiovese grapes sourced from eight of the estate’s vineyards. The wine rests for twelve months in Slavonian oak barrels, then matures for a further eighteen…
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Extra Special Marques del Norte Rioja
This is one of those wines you almost have to try, simply because it’s been given so may accolades this year. It took Gold at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards with an impressive 95 points, picked up Silver at the IWSC with 94 points and another Silver at the IWC scoring 92. Having enjoyed the Gran Reserva before, I was curious. It comes from El Coto, Rioja’s largest producer, who farm 730 hectares across eight sites spanning nearly all of the region’s sub-zones. Made from 100% Tempranillo, it’s a dry red at 14% ABV, bottled at source rather than…
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No.1 Cederberg Syrah
I had to include this one in my awards25 series because the 2022 vintage earned both an IWC Silver and an IWSC Silver. From the West Coast of South Africa, this Syrah comes from Cederberg, where the fifth generation of the Nieuwoudt family now oversees the estate. They are widely regarded as one of the top high-altitude producers from South Africa. At 14% ABV, this is a medium to full bodied red, made from 100% Syrah and aged in oak. There is a generous ripe cherry aroma with a touch of oak even when just opened. After half an hour,…
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Baronesa de Vilar Rosé Port
Made by Alvaro van Zeller, a 15th-generation winemaker from one of the Douro Valley’s most renowned families, whose lineage dates back to 1715 and once included ownership of the iconic Quinta do Noval, this rosé port reflects both heritage and innovation. Rosé port itself is a relatively recent addition to the Douro, only introduced in 2008. Rosé Port, also known as Pink Port, is made from traditional red Douro grape varieties but is produced in a style similar to rosé wines, involving only brief skin contact to achieve its pink colour. Like all Ports, fermentation is stopped early by adding…
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Nero Oro Riserva
This Sicilian red might catch your eye if you’re drawn to Nero d’Avola, but it’s very different from the usual expressions of that grape. It’s a blend of Nero d’Avola and Syrah from the 2021 vintage, with 14% ABV and a long 18 months spent in oak barrels. The result is a distinctive, deeply flavoured wine, shaped by the hands of acclaimed winemaker Stefano Chioccioli, whose past work has earned perfect scores from both the Gambero Rosso wine guide and Robert Parker. Now starting to show a bit of age in the glass with a touch of browning, the wine…
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Villa Maria Marlborough Wairau Valley Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
I tried this one as part of my awards25 series after the 2024 vintage achieved an IWC Gold with 95 points. Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2024 growing season saw low rainfall and cooler weather which led to a reduced crop yield and consequently more concentrated flavours balanced by fresh acidity. Specific yeast strains were selected to bring out the aroma and three months on lees have given it an added textural dimension. There’s a classic tropical aroma upfront, but with something deeper, perhaps ripe pineapple. The flavour opens with passionfruit and kiwi, supported by a citrus undertone. The…
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Extra Special Dão
Reviewed here as part of my awards25 series, this 2021 vintage picked up a Silver medal at the IWSC with 92 points. Produced and bottled by Falua Sociedade de Vinhos, it comes from Dão in northern Portugal and is made from 60% Mencía and 40% Touriga Nacional. At 13.5% ABV, it opens with a delicate fragrance of violets that sets the tone for a red that favours nuance over weight. The taste brings a blend of candied red fruits and ripe black cherries, expressive but not overdone. There’s a hint of oak at the end of the taste, gently rounding…
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Extra Special Albariño Rias Baixas
This 2024 vintage of Extra Special Albariño from Rías Baixas, produced by Bodegas Pazo Cilleiro in Galicia, stands out not just for its gleaming trio of 2025 medals, bronze from IWC, silver from IWSC, and bronze from Decanter, but for offering a genuine taste of its Atlantic homeland. Made entirely from Albariño and bottled at source, so it adheres strictly to the Denominación de Origen Protegida regulations, setting it apart from other bulk-bottled bottles often found on supermarket shelves. Immediately inviting with an aroma of peach and pear on first pour, it shifts quickly into sharper territory once tasted. Lemon…
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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