What to Buy
Other peoples’ recommendations of what to buy
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Sky Sommelier Recommended Wines
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 jobs, they found remarkable quality for less than a tenner. Here is the full list of recommended wines under £10 by supermarket: AldiWhite: Costieres de Nimes Blanc, £7.99Red: Washington State Syrah, £9.99Rosé: Rosorange Rosé, £9.99Sparkling: Ribolla Gialla Spumante, £6.99 AsdaWhite: Extra Special Gavi, £9.27Red: La…
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WineGB Awards 2025
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 gold medals, claiming nearly two-thirds of them, despite a strong performance from still Chardonnays. The 2023 vintage was the most commonly submitted and successful, reflecting a strong year, with 88 medals awarded. The oldest wine entered dated back to 2009, highlighting the ageing potential of…
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Decanter World Wine Awards 2025
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), along with 137 Platinum and 732 Gold medals, signalling a notable rise in overall wine quality. The longstanding Value Gold Top List also expanded, now featuring 30 wines under £15, up from 20 last year, a clear indication of both excellence and affordability gaining recognition.…
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IWC Results Announced
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 Bichot, Edouard Delaunay, Moët & Chandon, Penfolds and Nyetimber have all secured gold medals, reflecting their commitment to excellence. The competition’s rigorous judging process, which involves blind tastings by panels of experts, ensures impartiality and highlights the best in the industry. Co-chairs Sam Caporn MW…
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IWSC 2025 Results
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 & Spirits CompanyTamada Qvevri White 2019Kakheti, Georgia Sugrue South DownsThe Trouble With Dreams Magnum Brut 2009Sussex, England D’OliveirasVerdelho 2001Madeira, Portugal The ful list of awards is on the IWSC web site.
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Wine Merchant Top 100 2025
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 will also highlight the highly commended entries. In the Sparkling Wine category, the top honour went to Grande Réserve, Premier Cru, Pierre Mignon, Champagne, France NV (£35.74, Alliance Wine), while the best value sparkling wine was Llopart Corpinnat Brut Panoramic, Penedès 2018 (£26.75, Hallgarten &…
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Riesling for Summer
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 balanced by generous fruit, it’s becoming more accessible in shops and supermarkets. Often, the rieslings found on the shelves are German and dry, but there’s a wide world of riesling also coming from places like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Alsace. Hannah highlights the…
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London Wine Competition 2025 Winners
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 each medal reflects genuine market appeal as well as excellence in the glass. The top trophy, Wine of the Year, was awarded to the 2022 Isabel Estate Wild Barrique Chardonnay from New Zealand. Best Wine by Quality went to the 1987 Saamo from Georgia.Best Wine…
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Low-priced Gems at Aldi
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 selections. While many supermarket reds are marred by excessive sweetness, Aldi manages to offer several dry and characterful options. The article praises Aldi’s strong offering of white wines and sparkling wines, which punch above their price tags. Here is a list of the wines mentioned:…
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Affordable English Sparkling Wine
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 at least £30-£40. The high cost of English sparkling wine is due to expensive production factors. Labour costs in the UK are much higher than in some other wine-producing countries, where workers can be underpaid. Additionally, setting up a vineyard and winery in the UK…
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People’s Choice Wine Awards Results
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 and consumer insight. Enthusiastic wine lovers, selected through an application process, are invited to judge alongside WSET students at all levels and experienced wine professionals. The panel of professionals includes highly respected wine buyers, sommeliers, importers, journalists, retailers, and wine communicators, ensuring a well-rounded and…
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Fine Wines
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 its price but its complexity and finish. Jane MacQuitty, The Times wine critic, suggests a simple 30-second test to determine wine quality. The longer the taste lingers after swallowing, the better the wine. Wines that last over 30 seconds indicate true excellence, while anything under…
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Supermarket Own-Label Wines
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 wines from each major UK supermarket. These picks take into account a range of styles, regions and special offers: (The bold, italicised ones have also been previously picked by me) Aldi Asda Booths Co-op Lidl M&S Morrisons Sainsbury’s Tesco Waitrose
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Beaujolais for Winter
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 showcase the diversity of the Beaujolais region. The region’s wines range from the light and playful standard Beaujolais to more complex options like Beaujolais-Villages and the ten crus, each offering distinct characteristics. Highlights include the floral Saint-Amour and the expressive Côte de Brouilly. The terroir…
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Wines for the Festive Season
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:
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WineGB Top Awarded Wines of 2024
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 recipients in 2024. These awards were earned at renowned competitions such as the WineGB Awards, Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine Challenge, among others. Leading producers such as Gusbourne, Chapel Down, and Langham took centre stage, with Gusbourne receiving 11 gold medals across…
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Top Sainsbury’s Wines to Impress Without Breaking the Bank
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 his list of recommended wines from Sainsbury’s: These wines represent exceptional quality for the price, dispelling myths around own-brand supermarket wines.
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White Wines to Enjoy in Autumn
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 peach and pear flavours. M&S Chez Michel Collines Rhodaniennes Marsanne 2023, France – £9 at Marks & SpencerA marsanne from the northern Rhône, this wine balances ripe pear and white peach with floral notes and a slight herbal bitterness. Tahbilk Marsanne 2022, Nagambie Lakes, Victoria,…
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Non-Provence Rosé
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 distinctive flavours, colours, and aging potentials. To illustrate the diversity and quality available, the article provides examples of excellent rosés from outside Provence: Specially Selected Bowler & Brolly English Rosé, priced at £5.99 (on offer, down from £9.99), available at Aldi. It is made from…
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Global Chenin Blanc Masters 2024
The Global Chenin Blanc Masters competition recently highlighted the remarkable versatility of Chenin Blanc, which produces some of the finest sweet and dry white wines, both with and without oak, as well as sparkling wines. The Loire Valley is its historic home, producing notable sparkling and sweet wines, such as Crémant de Loire, sparkling Vouvray, and the late-picked sweet wines of Coteaux du Layon. South Africa, where Chenin Blanc is the most planted variety, also produces exceptional wines, particularly from old vines. Other regions like Canada, the USA and India are also producing high-quality Chenin Blanc. The wines that received…
Pick Lists
Majestic | The Wine Society | Tesco | Waitrose | Sainsbury’s | Morrisons | Co-op | Asda | Aldi | Lidl | £7 and Under | Over £20
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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