What to Buy

Other peoples’ recommendations of what to buy

  • Whispering Angel Rosé Alternatives

    Whispering Angel Rosé Alternatives

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    Simon Judge

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    Whispering Angel, the popular and premium rosé from Provence, has earned cult status thanks in part to celebrity endorsements, notably from Adele, and its subtle, dry flavour. It’s made from a blend of cinsault, grenache and vermentino grapes, offering pale colour and delicate notes of orange, red berries, herbs and spice. However, at up to…

  • Sky Sommelier Recommended Wines

    Sky Sommelier Recommended Wines

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    Sky Money asked three of the UK’s top sommeliers to find the best summer wines under £10 from major supermarkets. Frederic Brugues (Sketch London), Mateusz Kowalczyk (Moet Hennessy) and Polly Gibson (UK Sommelier Academy) each sampled wines across red, white, rosé and sparkling categories. With many of them working with high-end wines in their day…

  • WineGB Awards 2025

    WineGB Awards 2025

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    The ninth edition of the WineGB Awards marked a significant milestone, with still wines surpassing sparkling wines in both entries and total medals awarded for the first time. Still wines made up 54% of the entries and won 161 medals, compared to 151 for sparkling wines. However, sparkling wines continued to dominate in terms of…

  • Decanter World Wine Awards 2025

    Decanter World Wine Awards 2025

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    This year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, the world’s largest and most respected wine competition, saw wines from 57 countries judged by a historic panel of 248 international experts, including a record 22 Master Sommeliers and 72 Masters of Wine. From over 16,000 entries, 50 coveted Best in Show medals were awarded (just 0.3% of entries),…

  • IWC Results Announced

    IWC Results Announced

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    The International Wine Challenge (IWC) results are out. The IWC has reported that the quality of wines submitted in its latest competition has reached new levels. Despite challenges posed by climate change, such as erratic weather patterns and reduced yields, renowned wine regions and producers continue to deliver exceptional wines. Notable names like Maison Albert…

  • IWSC 2025 Results

    IWSC 2025 Results

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    The IWSC 2025 results are now available. The very top Gold winners, each awarded a score of 97, are: tekhi – Gurjaani Wine FactoryGuremani Otskhanuri Sapere 2022Imereti, Georgia Morris WinesOld Premium Rare Muscat NVRutherglen, Victoria, Australia Bolero & CompanySabado Grand Khikhvi Qvevri 2023Gurjaani, Kakheti, Georgia Lo SparviereSylvò Extra Brut 2015Franciacorta, Lombardy, Italy Georgian Wines &…

  • Wine Merchant Top 100 2025

    Wine Merchant Top 100 2025

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    The winners of this year’s Wine Merchant Top 100 have been revealed. These represent the top 10% from nearly 1,000 wines assessed during a rigorous day of judging in April, involving 36 independent wine merchants. Further details about why each wine was chosen will be shared in a special supplement due out in July, which…

  • Riesling for Summer

    Riesling for Summer

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    Simon Judge

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    Hannah Crosbie, of the Guradian Newspaper, shares her renewed love for riesling, sparked by the arrival of warmer weather and a desire for wines that challenge and excite the senses. While riesling has a reputation for appealing to wine enthusiasts due to its distinctive aromas, sometimes reminiscent of petrol and wax, and its sharp acidity…

  • London Wine Competition 2025 Winners

    London Wine Competition 2025 Winners

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    Simon Judge

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    The 2025 International London Wine Competition, now in its eighth year, once again placed equal weight on quality, value for money and packaging, aiming to mirror the way consumers actually choose wine. More than seventy leading professionals, including Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and senior buyers, blind‑tasted every entry before reassessing price and presentation, so…

  • Low-priced Gems at Aldi

    Low-priced Gems at Aldi

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    Simon Judge

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    David Williams, in The Guardian Newspaper, explores the challenge of finding quality, affordable wine amidst rising costs, especially due to duty increases and inflation. As mainstream regions become pricier, supermarkets are sourcing from less familiar areas, often presenting these bottles as “hidden gems”. Aldi, in particular, stands out with its “Unearthed” line and other well-priced…

  • Affordable English Sparkling Wine

    Affordable English Sparkling Wine

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    Hannah Crosbie in The Guardian newspaper explains how many supermarkets now offer their own-label English sparkling wines, which are sourced from producers and bottled under their name. Some disclose the producer, while others keep it confidential to maintain the brand’s prestige. These own-label sparkling are significantly cheaper than regular English sparkling wines, which usually cost…

  • People’s Choice Wine Awards Results

    People’s Choice Wine Awards Results

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    The results of the People’s Choice Wine Awards are out. These consumer-friendly categories attract wine submissions from all over the world, embracing all packaging formats and price points. Entries come from a wide range of sources, including importers, independent retailers, restaurants, bars, supermarkets, and producers. The judging process is a unique blend of expert knowledge…

  • Fine Wines

    Fine Wines

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    An article from The Times (link might no longer be public by the time you read this) discusses how London has become the fine wine capital of the world, boasting more restaurants serving top-tier wines than any other city. However, while some people indulge in extravagant vintages, the real measure of a fine wine isn’t…

  • Supermarket Own-Label Wines

    Supermarket Own-Label Wines

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    Victoria Moore, wine correspondent for The Telegraph, writes about supermarket own-label wines and their quality, often surpassing well-known brands. The article link might be behind a paywall, as The Telegraph typically opens articles for only a short period to be indexed by search engines. Victoria has sampled hundreds of bottles to select two standout own-label…

  • Beaujolais for Winter

    Beaujolais for Winter

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    Hannah Crosbie of the The Guardian newspaper explains how Beaujolais is an excellent choice for winter drinking, offering variety and versatility. Although often associated with the annual Beaujolais Nouveau celebration in November, its appeal extends well into the colder months. These wines, particularly enjoyable when slightly chilled, provide a vibrant contrast to heavier reds and…

  • Wines for the Festive Season

    Wines for the Festive Season

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    Simon Judge

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    In CityAM, Libby Brodie explores affordable yet delicious wines perfect for the festive season, highlighting sparkling options, lesser-known regions and supermarket exclusives. Wines Mentioned:

  • WineGB Top Awarded Wines of 2024

    WineGB Top Awarded Wines of 2024

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    There’s a new Golden 50 Wines List, curated by WineGB in collaboration with the Vineyard & Winery Show. This list highlights the finest wines from England and Wales, all of which received gold medals across ten national and international competitions this year.The Golden 50 Wines List features 50 wines chosen from over 100 gold medal…

  • Top Sainsbury’s Wines to Impress Without Breaking the Bank

    Top Sainsbury’s Wines to Impress Without Breaking the Bank

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    Rob Buckhaven from Metro explores the stigma around supermarket wines, noting that people are often hesitant to bring own-brand bottles to social events, fearing judgment, though they’re happy to drink them in private. Rob suggests we care less about others’ perceptions, as supermarket wines are often made by top producers and offer excellent value. Here’s…

  • White Wines to Enjoy in Autumn

    White Wines to Enjoy in Autumn

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    David Williams of The Guardian has some recommendations for richer, fuller white wines as an alternative to the usual reds. Wildstone Reserva Roussanne 2024, Colchagua Valley, Chile – £8 at WaitroseAlso previously also tipped by me from the Waitrose tasting, this wine from Chile’s reliable Luis Felipe Edwards has a full-bodied, autumnal appeal, featuring mouth-filling…

  • Non-Provence Rosé

    Non-Provence Rosé

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    Simon Judge

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    The Guardian Newspaper has an article by Hannah Crosbie that explores the dominance of Provence in the rosé wine market, noting that many people mistakenly believe rosé is only made there. However, rosé is produced worldwide, offering unique qualities that shouldn’t be overlooked. Hannah encourages readers to explore rosés from different regions, which can offer…

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