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Waitrose

  • 25% Off at Waitrose

    25% Off at Waitrose

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    A less frequent 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced £6 or over from 20 August to 27 August 2024 inclusive. See the Waitrose press tasting for tips on what to buy.

  • Los Tontos Sabios

    Los Tontos Sabios

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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,…

  • Cheapest UK Supermarket for Branded Wine

    Cheapest UK Supermarket for Branded Wine

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    A Which? investigation has found that Tesco is the cheapest supermarket for branded wines if you have a Clubcard. An analysis of prices for 15 branded wines at major UK supermarkets (Asda, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose) from 1 February to 30 April 2024 revealed Tesco’s Clubcard discounts made it the most affordable, with a total cost of £108.43 for the basket. However, without a Clubcard, Tesco’s prices were the highest at £120.67. Asda was the second cheapest overall at £111.16 and had no loyalty scheme requirements for discounts. Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose also offer member-only discounts, but data…

  • Celebrate English Wine Week with The Uncommon at Waitrose King’s Cross

    Celebrate English Wine Week with The Uncommon at Waitrose King’s Cross

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    The Uncommon, a pioneering English winemaker, is set to take over the Waitrose Bar at its King’s Cross store during English Wine Week from 15th to 23rd June. Their canned English bubbly wines will be featured alongside a series of vibrant activities, including tastings and an English Wine Masterclass led by Phil Norman on June 20th. The event will also offer chances to win exclusive merchandise and a luxurious picnic basket from Coco & Wolf worth £650. Founded in 2018 by Henry Connell and Alex Thraves, The Uncommon has become the UK’s leading producer of English wine in cans, with…

  • 25% off Wine at Waitrose

    25% off Wine at Waitrose

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    Simon Judge

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    Waitrose has 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced £6 or over from 22 May to 4 June 2024 inclusive.

  • Waitrose Spring Tasting

    Waitrose Spring Tasting

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    Simon Judge

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    In April 2024, I had the opportunity to attend a press tasting hosted by Waitrose in London, featuring new lines and vintages. The event presented just under 100 wines, of which I sampled the majority. Among the highlights were the new additions to the own brand ‘Loved & Found’ range, which originally launched in 2019. This collection, priced under £10, encourages both winemakers and customers to explore lesser-known grape varieties. These Loved & Found wines not only offer a taste of the unusual but also support the innovative efforts of winemakers who embrace the challenge of creating something different. There…

  • 25% off Wine at Waitrose

    25% off Wine at Waitrose

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    Waitrose has 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced £6 or over from 20 March to 2 April 2024 inclusive.

  • Wines for Comfort Food

    Wines for Comfort Food

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    In her article in Delicious Magazine on the best wines for comfort food, Susy Atkins recommends a selection of wines to complement hearty dishes. Suzy highlights wines that pair well with classics such as chilli, fish pie and roast chicken, offering a variety of options from different regions and at different price points. The Baron Amarillo Rioja Joven NV from Spain, priced at only £4.69 and available at Aldi, is noted for its soft spice, plum, and strawberry notes, making it suitable for red meat casseroles or rich bean chilli. The Loved and Found Touriga Nacional 2021 from the Algarve,…

  • Saperavi Grape

    Saperavi Grape

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    The Metro newspaper recently shed light on the ‘Saperavi’, a grape that originates from Georgia, between Eastern Europe and West Asia. Saperavi bears a striking resemblance in taste and character to Cabernet Sauvignon but with a twist. It also has the warming spice and rich texture reminiscent of a hearty Argentinian Malbec. What sets Saperavi apart, however, is not just its flavour profile but also its appearance. Unlike the common greeny-yellow innards of regular grapes, Saperavi boasts red flesh. This characteristic contributes to the production of an intensely purply-coloured wine, aligning with its name which translates to ‘paint’ or ‘dye’…

  • Finding Good Value

    Finding Good Value

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    Victoria Moore, a wine correspondent from the Telegraph Newspaper, discusses the impact of inflation on wine prices in her recent article (article might be behind paywall by the time you read this). She notes that British shoppers are typically thrifty when buying wine, often seeking the best deals, particularly in supermarkets. Moore acknowledges the challenge in assessing the value of wine due to three main factors: general inflation, the increased cost of materials like glass and a significant duty rise on wine. It is suggested that to maintain the same quality of wine as 18 months ago, consumers should expect…

  • La Vieille Ferme Rosé

    La Vieille Ferme Rosé

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    La Vieille Ferme Rosé is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Shiraz/Syrah. Despite its modest 3.6 rating on Vivino, it comes recommended by the Telegraph newspaper and proved to be a pleasant discovery. The wine has a floral aroma and the taste distinguishes itself with its dryness, a quality that isn’t always associated with rosé wines. The flavour is peachy/nectarine, offering a fresh and fruity experience that works well both as a standalone drink and as an accompaniment to food. This rosé is available at several major supermarkets in the UK, including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Iceland, Morrisons and Asda. There…

  • Produttori Primitivo di Manduria Riserva

    Produttori Primitivo di Manduria Riserva

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    The 2019 vintage from Manduria’s Consorzio Produttori Vini showcases the deep-rooted history of the winery, founded in 1932. This year is proudly indicated on the label. This full-bodied wine, with its robust 14.5% alcohol content, is also suitable for vegans. The wine has been carefully aged in oak barrels for at least nine months, a process that has imparted a complexity and structure. The nose is rich with dark berry fruit, where blackberry and fig notes are predominant, followed by an undercurrent of liquorice. The high alcohol content is well-integrated, providing silky tannins that contribute to a good length and…

  • 25% off Wine at Waitrose

    25% off Wine at Waitrose

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    Waitrose has 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced £6 or over from 1 November to 7 November inclusive.

  • Triade Rosso IGT Puglia

    Triade Rosso IGT Puglia

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    Simon Judge

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    Triade Rosso is a interesting red wine from Puglia in Italy. This blend combines three grape varieties: Primitivo, Negroamaro, and Nero di Troia. The result is a wine that is deep red in colour, offering a different type of complexity. On the nose, the wine greets you with a bouquet of blueberries, dark cherries, cinnamon and black pepper. The taste is pleasing and spicy, with subtle hints of chocolate and oak that add depth to the flavour. The wine has gained a 3.8 rating on Vivino, which suggests it has been well-received. As someone who counts Primitivo and Negroamaro among…

  • Good Housekeeping’s German Rieslings

    Good Housekeeping’s German Rieslings

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    The Good Housekeeping Institute’s annual Wine Awards panel, consisting of 10 WSET-accredited experts, sampled various bottles to identify the Best German Rieslings, for 2023. German Riesling wines are renowned for their sophisticated flavours, intricate depth, and invigorating zest. These wines offer a spectrum of tastes, from exceedingly dry to delightfully sweet, and usually feature a lower alcohol content, around 8-11% ABV. Apart from one from Laithwaites, they are all from supermarkets. Gunderloch Riesling Dry QbAABV: 12%Price: £17Available at: OcadoThis dry Riesling is a favourite among connoisseurs, offering a burst of green bell pepper and citrus zest. It’s an ideal companion…

  • 25% off Wine at Waitrose

    25% off Wine at Waitrose

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    Waitrose has 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine and Champagne priced £6 or over from 27 September to 3 October inclusive.

  • Pazzia Primitivo di Manduria

    Pazzia Primitivo di Manduria

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    This Primitivo di Manduria has gained a reputation, not just for its 4.2 rating on Vivino but also for being among Vivino’s the top 25 Southern Italy Primitivo wines in the United Kingdom at the time of writing this review. A previous 2019 vintage was a Bronze IWC winner. Decanter’s review of previous vintages, which scored an 89, described it as inky dark in the glass with bags of ripe, fleshy fruit flavour, think black cherries and salted plums, velvety, rich and fruit-forward. The 2021 vintage is full-bodied and aromatic. It’s not as tannic as you might expect, which can…

  • Good Housekeeping Wine Awards 2023

    Good Housekeeping Wine Awards 2023

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    The Good Housekeeping Wine Awards 2023 uncovers great wines across various price points, styles and regions. The awards are backed by rigorous testing from the Good Housekeeping Institute, which has a long-standing reputation for evaluating the best in food and drink. For the inaugural awards, experts tasted wines from nine key wine-growing countries and assessed them based on complexity, flavour and finish. Best Portuguese WinePérola do Lima Vinho VerdePrice: £9.95Score: 96/100Tasting Notes: Crisp and zesty with hints of elderflower, fresh citrus, and green apple.Supplier: Slurp Best Italian Wine‘PassioneSentimento’ Passimento BiancoPrice: £11.99Score: 95/100Tasting Notes: Intense, bold tropical wine with fresh citrus…

  • Chilled Red Wines Are Reshaping Trends

    Chilled Red Wines Are Reshaping Trends

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    Simon Judge

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    The UK recently experienced one of its wettest Julys on record and this has had a surprising impact on wine sales. Waitrose, a prominent supermarket chain, has reported a significant increase in red wine purchases, particularly those that can be enjoyed chilled. The trend has even found its way onto social media platforms like TikTok, where the hashtag #RedWine is gaining momentum. Across the pond, America’s top sommeliers are noticing a similar trend but for different reasons. They are encouraging wine drinkers to explore chilled red wines, not just for the summer but as a year-round option. The focus is…

  • 25% off Wine at Waitrose

    25% off Wine at Waitrose

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    By

    Simon Judge

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    Waitrose has 25% OFF 6 BOTTLES or more of wine and Champagne priced £5 or over until 29/8/23.

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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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