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Spain

  • El Duque De Miralta Rioja Reserva

    El Duque De Miralta Rioja Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    This 2019 Rioja Reserva is made by winemaker César Fernández at El Coto. The Tempranillo grapes are sourced from the three prestigious areas of Rioja, Alavesia, Alta and Oriental, ensuring a rich and diverse flavour profile. The wine is aged for 24 months in American oak barrels, which imparts a distinct and inviting aroma of oak that is very aromatic. I first encountered this wine during the M&S Spring Tasting, and it caught my attention. I often buy wines I have previously enjoyed at tastings to see how they hold up on sale. I am pleased to find that this…

  • Wines of Rueda, Navarra and Toro

    Wines of Rueda, Navarra and Toro

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    Simon Judge

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    In July 2024, I attended a trade/press wine tasting event in London, the first ever bringing together Rueda, Navarra and Toro wines from Northern Spain. Rueda, northwest of Madrid, is the second most popular denomination of origin (DO) in terms of sales in Spain. It is renowned for its mainly white wines, particularly those made from the Verdejo grape. These wines are known for their aromatic profile, featuring notes of apple, tropical fruits, citrus and occasionally a hint of nuttiness. Navarra, located in the north-east of Spain near Rioja, is a prominent wine region known for its diverse offerings. The…

  • The Value of PDO Labels for Spanish Wines

    The Value of PDO Labels for Spanish Wines

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    Simon Judge

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    The Spanish wine industry has long experienced tension between innovation and tradition, particularly concerning the DOC system and efforts to modernise. This raises the question, does the DOC system truly have positive impact on wineries and consumers? New research Determining the influence of belonging to a wine protected designation of origin on profitability, by researchers from Department of Economics and Business, University of Lleida, Spain, provides insights for wine buyers interested in Spanish wines. The study examines how membership in a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), including Qualified Designations of Origin and Denominations of Origin, affects the the perceived quality…

  • Wines from Spain Tasting

    Wines from Spain Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    The 36th Annual trade/press tasting of Wines from Spain took place in May 2024, featuring UK importers and Spanish wineries. The event showcased over 245 Spanish wineries and 789 wines. A highlight of the event was the Cava de Guarda Superior Masterclass, led by Master of Wine Peter McCombie. This session explored aged Cava and its potential food pairings, with food provided by Iberica Restaurant. Given the large number of wines, my initial tastings were focused on those already represented in the UK market. However, towards the end, I explored some wines seeking distributors, allowing for unexpected discoveries. These are…

  • Understanding Spanish Wines

    Understanding Spanish Wines

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    Simon Judge

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    Spain is one of the world’s largest wine producers, consistently ranking within the top three countries, with an annual production that typically exceeds 30 million hectolitres. The country’s vast vineyard area, the largest in the world, allows for a wide range of wine styles, influenced by the varying climates and soils across different regions. The Spanish wine industry is a major player in international markets, exporting approximately about half of its total wine production. These exports reach over 100 countries, with significant volumes shipped to France, Germany, the USA and the UK. The UK is one of the leading importers…

  • Marques De Valido Gran Reserva Rioja

    Marques De Valido Gran Reserva Rioja

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    Simon Judge

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    The Marques De Valido Gran Reserva Rioja 2014 comes from a family winery operated by a father, son and cousin team. This is a Gran Reserva, which is typically only made in the finest vintages and spends two years maturing in oak barrels followed by another three years in the bottle. This wine has an impressive 4.1 score on Vivino. The 2014 vintage features a new bottle label and a slightly higher alcohol content of 13.5% ABV, than previous vintages. The wine has a lighter colour than I expected, also displaying more red than brown hues, which wasn’t expected given…

  • Ángeles de Amaren

    Ángeles de Amaren

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    Simon Judge

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    The Bodegas Ángeles de Amaren Rioja 2017 is a modern interpretation of Rioja Alavesa, consisting of a blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano grapes. I thought I’d try this wine again having previously singled it out at a Rioja tasting, although the vintage I received via retail is 2017, rather than 2019 as was in the tasting. The ‘Amaren’ range, translating to ‘of my mother’ in Basque, is a tribute by winemaker Juan Luis Cañas to his mother, Ángeles. The meticulous process behind this wine involves harvesting grapes from premier vineyard locations, personally sorted by Juan Luis Cañas, ensuring…

  • Cava All-Time Sales Record

    Cava All-Time Sales Record

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    Simon Judge

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    Cava has achieved a new sales record, reaching 252 million bottles, marking a growth of 1.09% from the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by a 4.02% increase in domestic sales, despite a slight 0.25% decrease in international sales. The decrease in foreign markets was attributed to economic challenges, including inflation in Europe and decreased sales in the United States. Javier Pagés, President of the D.O. Cava Regulatory Council, praised the resilience of Cava amidst economic and geopolitical challenges. He highlighted the domestic market’s recovery and Cava’s consolidation in international markets, despite the downturns faced by competitors. Particularly notable…

  • The Evolving Landscape of Rioja Wines

    The Evolving Landscape of Rioja Wines

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    Simon Judge

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    In the Guardian Newspaper, Fiona Beckett discusses the evolving landscape of Rioja wines, highlighting a shift towards new styles that offer more fruity, less oaky notes in reds and introduce a breed of floral whites. This change comes as a response to declining sales in the UK, despite its historical popularity. Innovations include higher altitude vineyards, diverse grape varieties and alternative aging processes. However, these premium Riojas command higher prices, paralleling prestigious regions like Burgundy and Barolo, potentially alienating budget-conscious consumers. Beckett also mentions affordable options but emphasises they don’t fully represent the current breadth of Rioja wines. Five recommended…

  • TV Wine Expert Hails Lidl’s £5.99 Cava as ‘Best Bargain of the Year’

    TV Wine Expert Hails Lidl’s £5.99 Cava as ‘Best Bargain of the Year’

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    Simon Judge

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    In an article by Bristol Live, a wine from Lidl has been spotlighted by Saturday Kitchen’s wine expert as the “Best bargain this year.” It’s the Arestel Cava Semi Seco, a sparkling wine that boasts a price tag of only £5.99. During a recent episode of Saturday Kitchen, aired on BBC One on the morning of February 24, wine expert Olly Smith took to the stage to introduce a pairing for an apple dessert crafted by the London-based Ukrainian chef Olia Hercules. Smith’s selection criteria were specific. He was in search of a fizz that diverged from the typical dry…

  • Faustino V Reserva

    Faustino V Reserva

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    Simon Judge

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    Faustino V Reserva 2018 Rioja is aged for a minimum of 24 months in American oak barrels. The previous vintage was highly regarded by James Suckling, receiving a commendable score of 93, and the wine itself has been adorned with multiple accolades, including a Silver Medal from Mundus Vini, the Bacchus Award, a Gold Medal at the Berliner Wine Trophy and a Silver Medal for the 2010 vintage at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards. It’s medium to full-bodied red, with an aromatic profile that is both complex and intense. The oak aging imparts an immediate smokiness, complemented by notes of…

  • The Best of Rioja 2024

    The Best of Rioja 2024

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    Simon Judge

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    Tim Atkin MW hosted a wine tasting event on 13 February 2024 that featured over 300 wines from leading bodegas, many of which came to London specifically to showcase their wines. This event marked a first in either London or Rioja, with such an extensive collection of wines being presented for tasting. Tim dedicates three weeks each year to visiting the vineyards and producers and the wines included in this event were chosen based on Tim’s latest Rioja Report. The following producers where pouring wines: 220 Cántaras, Abel Mendoza, Alegre y Valgañon, Arizcuren, Artuke, Benjamin de Rothschild/Vega Sicilia, Berta Valgañón,…

  • Lidl Italian and Iberian Wine Tours

    Lidl Italian and Iberian Wine Tours

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    Simon Judge

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    In February 2024, I attended a Lidl wine tasting which showcased wines planned to be introduced during the Italian and Iberian wine tours in February and March 2024, respectively. Additionally, a selection of wines from Lidl’s existing collection was also being shown. Wine tours at Lidl are the wines displayed in wooden crates, each accompanied by scores. A specific wine from a tour is typically available for up to two months, although it may sell out sooner if it proves popular. The concept behind these tours is to refresh the selection periodically, ensuring variety and encouraging customers to return and…

  • Rioja Tasting

    Rioja Tasting

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    In the midst of a December devoid of trade wine tastings, I found myself inspired to organise a Rioja wine tasting. Consisting of seven family members and friends, all of whom share my enthusiasm for wine, we embarked on a journey through the flavours of Rioja. Accompanied by an array of tasty Spanish tapas, our tasting session featured a curated selection of both white and red Rioja wines. The insights shared here represent a collective blend of our experiences and opinions. For those new to the world of Rioja wines, I recommend starting with my previous article, Understanding Rioja, which…

  • Understanding Ribera del Duero

    Understanding Ribera del Duero

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    Simon Judge

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    Ribera del Duero, a wine region in Spain, is mainly known for its red wines. Situated along the Duero River in the northern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula, Ribera del Duero benefits from a unique climate, higher altitude and a rich winemaking heritage. The region gained its Denominación de Origen (DO) status in 1982. The region’s winemaking is centred around the Tempranillo grape, locally known as Tinta del País or Tinto Fino. This grape imparts deep colour, complex aromas and ageing potential to the wines. Sometimes, Tempranillo is blended with Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec to enhance complexity. Ribera…

  • Feliz Rioja, November 2023

    Feliz Rioja, November 2023

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    Simon Judge

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    This November, the UK will have Feliz Rioja, a month-long event set to highlight the prominence of the Rioja wine-producing region across various outlets in the UK. Independent retailers, restaurants and wine bars throughout the country have registered their participation. With over 100 outlets involved, the event aims to provide a comprehensive exposure to Rioja wines. The Rioja region in Spain is distinguished for its diverse wine production. The wines range from reds to whites, each with specific characteristics attributed to the region’s unique terroir and winemaking techniques. In-store tastings will be organised across participating outlets, allowing consumers to directly…

  • Specially Selected Rioja Rosado

    Specially Selected Rioja Rosado

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    Simon Judge

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    Aldi’s Specially Selected Rioja Rosado 2022 has a DOC certification. While it’s advertised as being pink, I think the wine has a more golden hue. My wife, who picked this wine from Aldi, likens its taste to that of rosehip cordial. It’s a dry wine with a hint of fruitiness, making it ok on its own but I think it’s better when paired with food. The 2021 vintage of this wine was handpicked by Olly Smith. Priced at £5.49 at the time of writing this review, down from £6.49, it offers good value, especially considering the 2021 vintage was priced…

  • French Winemakers Destroy Spanish Wine

    French Winemakers Destroy Spanish Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    The Telegraph newspaper has reported that, in a striking move against what they see as unfair competition, around 500 French wine makers from Narbonne and Perpignan stopped lorries importing Spanish wines at the border town of Boulou. They emptied thousands of gallons of rosé and smashed 10,000 bottles of Spanish sparkling wine on the roads. The protest was against the low prices of foreign wines, which they believe undercuts their own products. Frédéric Rouanet, president of a wine growers’ union, announced this as the beginning of an ‘economic war’ against cheap imports. The situation has been described by the wine…

  • New Free Rioja Wine Academy Course

    New Free Rioja Wine Academy Course

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    Simon Judge

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    The Rioja Wine Academy, backed by the Rioja DOCa Control Board, has launched a free introductory online course called Rioja Enthusiast. This course is the academy’s first aimed at consumers and wine lovers with no prior knowledge of wine. The course covers the fundamentals of Rioja wine in just four hours, including topics like reading labels and ​pairing wines. It’s divided into four chapters, and there’s no deadline for completion. Successful completion of the course will earn students an official certification. The academy hopes this course will serve as a stepping stone for further specialised training and aims to make…

  • Spain’s Historic Low Wine Harvest

    Spain’s Historic Low Wine Harvest

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    Simon Judge

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    Spain’s wine industry is grappling with its smallest harvest ever recorded, largely due to a series of extreme weather events. The 2023 grape harvest has been severely impacted by droughts, hail storms and heat waves, affecting vineyards across the country. Spain is expected to produce only 34.25 million hectolitres of grapes this year, representing a 16.6% decline compared to 2022. The situation is particularly dire in hot, dry regions like Catalonia, the Canary Islands and Castile-La Mancha. Catalonia’s Penedès region, known for its Cava production, is experiencing an unprecedented drought, with vines shriveling up due to lack of rain. The…

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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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