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  • Marks & Spencer Classics No. 37 Shiraz

    Marks & Spencer Classics No. 37 Shiraz

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine is part of the M&S Classics range, a line that draws on trusted wine styles from celebrated regions, with an eye on quality and accessibility. This 2024 vintage is from South Australia and comes with a strong showing in this year’s awards, having earned a Silver from the IWC and a Bronze from the IWSC. Produced by Complexity Wines, it’s a blend dominated by Syrah (88%), with Petite Sirah (11%) and a small touch of Cabernet Sauvignon (3%), sitting at 14.5% ABV and matured in oak. This wine works straight from the bottle without decanting. At first glance,…

  • Exceptional by Asda Grüner Veltliner

    Exceptional by Asda Grüner Veltliner

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    Simon Judge

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    This Austrian white caught my attention at the Asda Spring 2025 press tasting. It stood out immediately in a strong line-up and I was keen to take a closer look before it hits the shelves. It’s already just picked up a Bronze at the IWSC and it’s easy to see why. Made by Markus Huber in Niederösterreich, this is a 2024 vintage at 11.5% ABV, using 100% Grüner Veltliner, Austria’s flagship grape. Grüner Veltliner often shows a balance of stone fruit character with a lively, spicy streak and this bottle delivers exactly that. There’s a lovely suggestion of ripe pear…

  • Moillard Thomas Santenay Rouge

    Moillard Thomas Santenay Rouge

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    Simon Judge

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    Moillard Thomas Santenay Rouge 2022 is a 100% Pinot Noir from Burgundy, aged for 12 months in oak barrels. It’s a wine that impresses straight from the bottle, needing no time to open up. For it’s vintage, the light colour shows a very slight touch of browning, correctly suggesting it leans towards a savoury style. There’s an immediate aroma of cherry and earthiness, with a subtle trace of caramel. The flavour continues in this vein, savory at its core, but with raspberry and cherry fruit giving it vibrancy and lift. Through the middle part of the taste, there’s a lovely…

  • La Belle Angèle Rosé

    La Belle Angèle Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    La Belle Angèle Rosé takes its name from a figure of the early 20th century, a muse of the French Impressionists whose charm and elegance inspired many. Produced by La Belle Angèle Wines in Nuits-Saint-Georges, France, the bottle itself reflects a refined aesthetic and the producer’s website is very well presented – a rare case where I link as it’s very well done. This 2024 vintage, 12% ABV, blends Cinsault and Grenache grapes, sourced from the Gers and the Languedoc. The Cinsault brings a sense of freshness, while the Grenache adds richness and a deeper concentration. In the glass, it…

  • Wildstone Roussanne

    Wildstone Roussanne

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    Simon Judge

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    From the Chilean producer Luis Felipe Edwards, Wildstone is a wine that pays tribute to the rugged stone that emerges untamed from the landscape, carving its own way through plains and forests of Chile itself. The grapes for this white come from the Colchagua Coast, an area increasingly recognised for producing distinctive wines. I first came across this Roussanne last year at the Waitrose Autumn press tasting. It’s one of those bottles that might slip under the radar due to the Roussanne grape having a relatively low profile, especially outside of Rhône, France. In fact, even John, the highly knowledgeable…

  • Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace

    Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace

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    Simon Judge

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    Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace is made from 75% Pinot Blanc and 25% Pinot Gris from Alsace in France. This non-vintage wine sits at 12% ABV and undergoes its second fermentation in bottle, in the same way as Champagne, and is aged for 18 months on its lees. I first discovered it at the Sainsbury’s Spring Summer Press Tasting, where it stood out as one of my favourites thanks to its flavour and value. I decided to re-try it in a different context and correct a few earlier misconceptions. For starters, it’s clearly made by Cave du Roi Dagobert, as…

  • Definition Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon

    Definition Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon

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    Simon Judge

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    I first came across this wine last year when it was announced as a new wine at a Majestic press tasting. Since then, I’ve purchased it twice and had the chance to spend a bit more time with it, getting to understand it better on each occasion. The wine is made by Kanonkop for Majestic as part of their Definition range. This collection is designed to represent what Majestic sees as the benchmark expressions of key wine styles from around the world, produced in partnership with respected wineries. The idea is to give customers a clear sense of what a…

  • Parcel Series English Sparkling Brut

    Parcel Series English Sparkling Brut

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    Simon Judge

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    Majestic’s Parcel Series wines are sourced from top-tier wineries that discreetly offer a limited amount of stock at significantly reduced prices. This arrangement allows the producers to free up valuable cellar space, while presenting customers with a rare chance to enjoy high-quality wines for much less than their usual cost. This particular wine is a non-vintage English Sparkling made by Rolling Green Hills Ltd. The name has appeared in various supermarket tastings concerning English Sparkling wines, and while it is widely speculated to be Nyetimber behind the label, this remains unconfirmed. The wine is labelled Brut, which suggests a very…

  • Mayu Gran Reserva Single Vineyard Pinot Noir

    Mayu Gran Reserva Single Vineyard Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    I was impressed by this wine at a Majestic press tasting in Autumn 2024. I bought a bottle not long after but it’s taken me some time to get round to opening it. It’s from the Elqui Valley in Chile, where Mayu has been producing wine since 2005. The Mayu name comes from an ancient Inca word for the Milky Way. This particular bottle is from the 2022 vintage and sits at 14% ABV. Half of the wine spends ten months in French oak, which shows in the final character of the wine. On the Majestic site, opinions are a…

  • Toro Loco Superior Rosé

    Toro Loco Superior Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    When you have seen Toro Loco at Aldi you would be forgiven for thinking it’s one of their brands invented just for the supermarket shelf, but it’s very much the real thing. It’s produced by NVC Bodegas in Utiel-Requena, a region just inland from Valencia in Spain. This wine is the result of a community effort involving more than 3,000 local families with most of the grapes being hand-picked. The name comes from old Spanish, ‘Toro’ referencing ‘bull head’ and ‘Loco’ meaning ‘crazy’. This particular bottle is made entirely from Bobal grapes, from the 2024 vintage, with an alcohol content…

  • Moillard Thomas Mâcon Rouge

    Moillard Thomas Mâcon Rouge

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    Simon Judge

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    Moillard-Thomas is in Nuits-Saint-Georges, in the Côtes de Nuits and is one of the oldest wine merchants in the region. This Mâcon Rouge, 2024 vintage, 12.5%, from Burgundy, France, is made entirely from Gamay grapes. This light purplish wine starts with a fruity aroma, gently underpinned by a savoury note that hints at something earthy, perhaps a touch of mushroom. At very first sip, it leaves a dry impression, but this quickly gives way to juicy cherry flavours that bring vibrancy to the palate. A subtle thread of spice weaves through, along with a whisper of fennel, adding a layer…

  • Mount Rozier Reserve Merlot

    Mount Rozier Reserve Merlot

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    Simon Judge

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    Mount Rozier Reserve Merlot comes from the foothills of the Hottentot Mountains in South Africa’s Western Cape, produced by the Mount Rozier winery. The estate traces its roots back to the early 1800s, when Annie Rozier, a flower merchant known for foraging wild blooms in the Schapenberg hills, established a reputation for creating natural remedies. Her connection to the land and the local community is still reflected in the estate’s values today. Mount Rozier remains deeply committed to environmental stewardship, setting aside 30 hectares of its grounds for the protection of native plants and wildlife. This respect for nature underpins…

  • Calvet Sancerre

    Calvet Sancerre

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    Simon Judge

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    This Calvet Sancerre 2024, 12.5%, is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire region of France. It is grown on a hillside overlooking the left bank of the Haute Loire. In the glass, it has a pale yellow colour with delicate green reflections. Even when served very cold, it releases a strong and enticing aroma of passion fruit, with an underlying floral character that immediately draws you in. On the tongue, it delivers classic gooseberry notes, complemented by the lushness of ripe honeydew melon, with a dry yet very rounded and expressive flavour profile. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving…

  • Parcel Series ‘No.77’ Chilean Red Blend

    Parcel Series ‘No.77’ Chilean Red Blend

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    Simon Judge

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    Parcel Series wines come from top-class wineries that quietly sell a limited quantity to Majestic at a fraction of their usual price to clear some space in their cellars, making this a rare opportunity to buy. This particular wine comes from the Viña Vik vineyard, set in the foothills of the Andes mountains. The vineyard was founded in 2006 by the Norwegian Alexander Vik and his wife Carrie Vik. Their top wine, VIK, a more Bordeaux style wine, not this bottling, has been awarded a perfect 100 points by the renowned critic James Suckling and the estate is widely recognised…

  • Mount Rozier Chenin Blanc Reserve

    Mount Rozier Chenin Blanc Reserve

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    Simon Judge

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    Mount Rozier Chenin Blanc Reserve is a white wine from the foothills of the Hottentot Mountains, produced by the Mount Rozier winery in South Africa’s Western Cape wine region. The estate has a rich heritage, founded at the turn of the 19th century by Annie Rozier, a local flower merchant known for gathering wildflowers in the Schapenberg hills around her family’s homestead. She gained a reputation for making natural remedies and medicines, becoming a beloved figure in the local community. Today, the Mount Rozier Estate remains committed to preserving its natural surroundings, with 30 hectares of land designated for the…

  • Apelación Cabernet Franc

    Apelación Cabernet Franc

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    Simon Judge

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    Apelación Cabernet Franc by Zuccardi is an interesting expression of this variety, made by a winery more widely known for its Malbec. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, the grapes are carefully sourced from select vineyards in Paraje Altamira and across the wider Uco Valley in Mendoza, Argentina, a region renowned for its high-altitude viticulture. The wine is fermented using native yeasts in concrete vats, a traditional technique that allows for a pure expression of the fruit. It is then matured in 2,500-litre foudres, which offer subtle oak influence without overpowering the varietal character. The 2020 vintage comes in at 14%…

  • Definition Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

    Definition Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2018 vintage of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru comes from the right bank of the River Garonne, from the family-run Château du Roy. It is made from 35-year-old vines and sits at 13.5% ABV. While it’s Merlot-led, it also includes some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. I almost didn’t review this bottle. On opening, it was underwhelming, both in aroma and flavour. I didn’t bother decanting at the time, thinking it unnecessary given the seemingly low tannins and lack of sediment, but in hindsight that was a mistake. Even after a full day open, it still felt muted and a little…

  • Blueprint Pinot Noir

    Blueprint Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    Blueprint Pinot Noir from Waitrose is part of a range created to highlight excellent-value, classic wines from around the world. Each bottle is chosen not just for quality, but for how faithfully it represents its style and place of origin. The label design reflects the winemaker’s region, adding a touch of visual charm to the experience. This particular Pinot Noir stands out by delivering impressive quality despite not coming from one of the traditionally celebrated regions for the grape. Produced in Romania by Cramele Recaș, it offers a fresh take on the variety and demonstrates that Pinot doesn’t have to…

  • Les Dauphins Cotes du Rhone

    Les Dauphins Cotes du Rhone

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    Simon Judge

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    Les Dauphins wines take their cue from the vibrant spirit of 1920s Paris, a time when jazz, art, fine food and wine flourished and when the Rhône Valley saw the formation of its first co-operatives. This cultural backdrop shapes the character of these wines, which are made by the Union des Vignerons des Côtes du Rhône, a co-operative with over six decades of heritage. Grapes are carefully selected by winemakers Thierry Walet and Camille Potau from plots across the Southern Rhône Valley, farmed by long-standing grower-partners, a network of 2000 families whose dedication ensures the continued quality and identity of…

  • w/o Organic Grillo Spumante

    w/o Organic Grillo Spumante

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    Simon Judge

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    From Sicily comes a new project from winemaker Dino Taschetta: w/o – meaning a wine made without compromise. This sparkling wine is made from the indigenous Grillo grape believed to be a cross between Cataratto and Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria). Grillo is a versatile grape capable of producing both still and sparkling wines. In this case, it’s been used to create a sparkling wine made using the Charmat method, the same process used for Prosecco. The 2023 vintage sits at a relatively light 11% ABV and is bottled in a UK first, 100% recycled ‘wild’ glass, giving it a sustainable…

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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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