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Spain

  • Extra Special Marques del Norte Rioja

    Extra Special Marques del Norte Rioja

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    Simon Judge

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    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…

  • Extra Special Albariño Rias Baixas

    Extra Special Albariño Rias Baixas

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    Simon Judge

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    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…

  • ¡Hola! Mediterraneo Orange Spritz

    ¡Hola! Mediterraneo Orange Spritz

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    Simon Judge

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    As I write this, the UK is in the grip of a heatwave and I’ve been on the lookout for something light, refreshing and a little bit different to help cope with the warmth. This Spanish spritz fits the bill perfectly. Coming in at 8.5% ABV, this spritz comes from Catalunya, in the heart of cava country. Presented in an attractive bottle, it immediately gives off Aperol vibes, but with a more refined twist. The base is a slow-fermented cuvée of sparkling wine, made primarily from Macabeo, the grape used in Cava, along with a touch of Chardonnay. Instead of…

  • UK Tariffs Impact Spanish Wines

    UK Tariffs Impact Spanish Wines

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    Simon Judge

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    Reuters is reporting that Spanish red wine exports to the UK have dropped by 7.5% in value during the first four months of 2025, largely due to new British tariffs based on alcohol content. These changes, introduced in February, have hit Spanish wines hardest, especially reds, which typically contain more than 12.5% alcohol due to Spain’s warmer climate. This higher alcohol content now attracts significantly steeper duties, causing prices for UK importers to rise by around 20%. Spanish producers say this has made their wines less competitive compared to French and Italian exports, which have seen smaller declines of 6%…

  • 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…

  • Villarei Albariño

    Villarei Albariño

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    Simon Judge

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    This 100% Albariño comes from Val do Salnés, the oldest subregion of Rías Baixas in Galicia, Spain. The coolest and wettest area in the region, Val do Salnés offers ideal conditions for slow grape maturation, helping to preserve the natural aromas and vivid flavours that define this wine. Villarei Albariño is aged for six months on the lees, adding extra texture and depth. Presented with stylish, transparent bottle labels this wine needs to warm up considerably from refrigeration temperature, for about 40 minutes, to get the most from it. Once warmer, the wine opens with an inviting apricot aroma lifted…

  • Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva

    Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    I recently came across and purchased a newly listed wine at Aldi, the Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva (2014 vintage), with a brown label and gold mesh. This wine is produced by Pagos del Rey, part of the Felix Solís group, one of the largest family-owned wineries globally. It different to the Criadores de Rioja produced Gran Reserva (black on white label) also under the Baron Amarillo name. The wine has the classic cherry aroma typical of a Rioja but carries hints of leather and caramel. Taste wise, it is soft, yet the finish is unexpectedly dry, with notes of dark…

  • Waitrose No.1 La Val Albariño

    Waitrose No.1 La Val Albariño

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    Simon Judge

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    I very briefly mentioned this wine in the Waitrose Autumn Press Tasting and it warranted closer exploration. Produced by the Spanish winery Bodegas La Val, this 2023 vintage Albariño is made without oak, offering a clean and expressive character. The most intriguing aspect of this wine is how its profile transforms so dramatically as it warms, yet it maintains its appeal whether served very cool or at a warmer temperature. When served well chilled, this wine has a fresh, citrusy profile with a distinct salty, saline quality that reflects the ‘gentle coastal character’ noted on the back label and illustrated…

  • Specially Selected Rioja Reserva

    Specially Selected Rioja Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    Aldi’s Rioja can be a bit confusing due to their approach to branding. They produce many wines under the Baron Amarillo label, which is just a white-label name and not tied to any specific producer. Under this name, Aldi also sells other Riojas, including those I mentioned during the Autumn/Winter press tasting. Two excellent options I found then were the Gran Reserva by Criadores de Rioja and the Reserva by Bodegas El Somo, both of which offer great taste for their price. This particular wine is a Reserva, distinct from the previous Gran Reserva by the same Criadores de Rioja.…

  • Muga Rioja Reserva

    Muga Rioja Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    Muga is one of the most iconic and traditional bodegas in Rioja. Situated in the historic railway quarter of Haro, the capital of Rioja Alta, Muga is renowned for eschewing stainless steel tanks in favour of time-honoured methods. The bodega even operates its own cooperage, creating barrels from a variety of oak sources and carefully toasting them to achieve the perfect flavour balance. At any time, the winery houses an impressive 17,000 barrels, with 60% made from French oak and the rest from American oak sourced from Kentucky and Ohio. This Reserva is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and…

  • Marques Del Norte Rioja Gran Reserva

    Marques Del Norte Rioja Gran Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    After the recent Asda press tasting, I decided to revisit the Marques Del Norte Rioja Gran Reserva to see if my initial impression of it being a great wine still held. With an ABV of 14%, this wine is also a 2024 IWSC Bronze Medal Winner. This Gran Reserva, made entirely from 100% Tempranillo grapes, is richly aromatic. It offers an aroma of black fruits, chocolate and a gentle hint of oak. On the palate, it delivers flavours of cherry, liquorice, vanilla and a little spice. Upon re-tasting, I also found it reminiscent of M&S’s El Duque De Miralta Rioja…

  • Barón De Ley Gran Reserva Rioja

    Barón De Ley Gran Reserva Rioja

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine, 2017 vintage, 14% ABV, is produced exclusively in years deemed exceptional. It is aged for 24 months in a mix of American and French oak, followed by an additional 36 months in the bottle. Its aroma is classically Rioja, evoking the hallmark ripe cherries, vanilla and slight smokey notes you’d expect. On the palate, it is smooth with low to medium tannins, offering a soft and inviting texture. This is actually in contrast to the sister wine Barón de Ley Finca Monasterio 2019 I previously tried, which is much more tannic. The mid to end taste of this…

  • Tim Atkin MW Ribera del Duero Selection

    Tim Atkin MW Ribera del Duero Selection

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    Simon Judge

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    Each September, Tim Atkin MW spends two weeks in Ribera del Duero, meeting winemakers and sampling a large number of wines. This year, he tasted about 551 wines from 173 bodegas. In November 2024, he presented the fifth annual selection of his top 100 wines, with scores, at a tasting event in London. The top 100 wines all scored 94 points or more, representing the best of the region. In addition to the top 100, the event featured high-scoring selections in two extra categories, Ribera del Duero on a Budget highlighting wines costing €16 euros or less and Unrepresented Producers…

  • Viña Pomal Rioja Gran Reserva

    Viña Pomal Rioja Gran Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    Majestic’s new exclusive (at least in the UK) Viña Pomal Rioja Gran Reserva is made by Bodegas Bilbaínas the longest-established bottling winery in Rioja. With a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, all grapes are from Bodegas Bilbaínas’ own vineyards. This is the 2015 vintage and this wine is only produced in exceptional years. The wine matures in Bordeaux-style American oak barrels and undergoes an aging process exceeding five years. Viña Pomal Rioja Gran Reserva has earned awards, winning accolades including the Great Gold Bacchus, a 94-point rating from James Suckling, a Master Medal from The Drinks Business Rioja…

  • Hacienda Uvanis, Garnacha Old Vines

    Hacienda Uvanis, Garnacha Old Vines

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    Simon Judge

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    I often buy wines that have caught my eye during press tastings and I first spotted this one at a Lidl press tasting early in 2024. It has been sitting around for a while, being overlooked as newer wines arrived. However, I decided to open it on a whim and was amazed by how good it turned out to be. This Garnacha comes from Navarra, Spain, with a 14% ABV and from the 2021 vintage. It’s light to medium-bodied with a very light colour. The wine is dry and impressively fragrant, offering raspberry and cherry notes. These aromas evolve into…

  • Monastrell Masterclass and Tasting

    Monastrell Masterclass and Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In October 2024, I attended a Monastrell Masterclass led by Patrick Schmitt MW, followed by a walk-around tasting. The event was sponsored by Monastrell Spain, so all the wines were Spanish, though the masterclass also referenced other countries for context. Monastrell is known as Mourvèdre in France and has lots of different names in other countries. I came in with limited knowledge of Spanish Monastrell, expecting most wines to be highly tannic, similar to many Ribera del Duero wines. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find a wide range of styles, which contradicted my initial assumptions. The masterclass imparted lots…

  • Virgen del Galir Val do Galir Godello

    Virgen del Galir Val do Galir Godello

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    Simon Judge

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    Virgen del Galir Val do Galir Godello 2023 is a white wine from Valdeorras in Galicia, Spain. Produced by Bodegas Virgen, which was purchased by CVNE, a notable name in Rioja, back in 2018, this wine reflects the region’s traditional winemaking techniques. The wine has gained recognition, with a solid 91 points from Robert Parker. The 2023 vintage comes in at a robust 14% ABV, making it one of the stronger expressions of Godello from the area. Made from 100% Godello grapes, this wine is fermented using indigenous yeasts and aged for three months on its lees, adding to its…

  • Viña Pomal 106 Barricas

    Viña Pomal 106 Barricas

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    Simon Judge

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    Viña Pomal, famously associated with Winston Churchill as his reputed bodega of choice, offers its 106 Barricas Rioja Reserva 2019 as a limited edition tribute. The name ‘106’ pays homage, originally in 2010, to the 106th anniversary of the winery’s first harvest in 1904, with only 50,000 bottles produced for this exclusive edition. The wine is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano, offering a deep and complex profile. Aged for a minimum of 18 months in barrels, it has a bold 14.5% ABV. Viña Pomal’s vineyards are located around Haro, influenced by both Atlantic and Mediterranean climates, which help…

  • New Rioja Viñedos Singulares Parcels

    New Rioja Viñedos Singulares Parcels

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    Simon Judge

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    Rioja Viñedos Singulares is a special designation within the Rioja wine region, introduced in 2017 to recognise and highlight wines from unique, single vineyards. This classification emphasises the distinctiveness of specific vineyard sites and aims to showcase the terroir and unique characteristics of these plots. A Viñedos Singulares vineyard must be at least 35 years old. Yields must be at least 20% lower than the usual DOCa level. A maximum grape-to-wine ratio of 65% compared to the standard 70% is required. The vineyard must be owned or rented on a long-term basis for at least 10 years. The wines must…

  • Los Tontos Sabios

    Los Tontos Sabios

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    Simon Judge

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    Los Tontos Sabios is a quirky and intriguing red ‘field blend’ crafted from organic grapes. This wine, from the La Mancha region of Spain, is a harmonious mix of native Spanish grape varieties, all grown in the same field and fermented together. The specific grapes are not disclosed, which adds an element of mystery to this 2021 vintage with a 13.5% ABV. Upon first tasting, I found it challenging to categorise, but soon realised the key is to appreciate it for what it is. It is ruby/purplish in colour and islight to medium bodied. It has a strong cherry flavour,…

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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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