Victoria Moore

Victoria Moore explains common wine-label terms including reserve or riserva, old vines, cuvée, ABV, single vineyard, unfiltered and grape-variety designations. The article highlights differences in legal requirements across regions, notes that reserve has no consistent meaning globally, and explains that wines labeled with a single grape variety may legally contain up to 15% other grapes in the UK and EU.

Lowish-alcohol wines, defined here as roughly 10% to 12.5% ABV, are becoming more popular among drinkers seeking flavour without the effects of stronger wines. Modern viticulture and winemaking have improved their quality, avoiding the harsh, under-ripe character often associated with low-alcohol wines in the 1990s. Dauvergne et Ranvier Organic Syrah 2024 is highlighted as a particularly successful example at 10.5% ABV, while styles such as Bardolino are also benefiting from better production methods. Waitrose sales figures indicate growing consumer demand, although the article distinguishes these wines from newer, lower-quality 8% “mid-range” products.

Victoria Moore compares the mains-powered Caso Design VinoCase tabletop wine cooler with a £16 John Lewis stainless-steel cooler during hot weather. The Caso actively maintains wine at a selected temperature and performed better in heat, especially with bottles that were no more than two-thirds full, but it was less accurate and effective with nearly full bottles and required access to a power socket. The stainless-steel cooler was cheaper, easier to store and useful for slowing warming, but could not cool wine and was unsuitable for prolonged use during a heatwave. Moore concludes that neither warrants permanent space, recommending the stainless-steel option in milder conditions and returning bottles to the fridge during very hot weather.

Victoria Moore recommends a flexible selection of wines for unpredictable British summer holidays, including chilled light-bodied reds, affordable whites, sparkling Vouvray, English sparkling wine and Provence rosé. Highlights include Lidl’s Hacienda Uvanis Garnacha 2024, Aldi’s Pierre Jaurant Le Petit Poulet White 2025 and a highly praised rosé from Stone, Vine & Sun, with suggestions designed to suit both warm and cool weather.

Medal stickers on wine bottles often reflect entry fees and commercially driven award systems rather than guaranteed quality. Major competitions award a high proportion of medals, making gold and above a safer indicator than bronze or commended. Costs for producers and retailers are substantial, and while judging is conducted professionally, the volume of awards limits their reliability. Simple guidelines help consumers gauge value when using award stickers to choose wines.

Dry white Bordeaux has gained popularity among discerning drinkers, driven by rising interest in mid-priced bottles made from sauvignon blanc and semillon. Producers such as Château Suduiraut have significantly expanded production to meet demand, with the Lions de Suduiraut Blanc Sec becoming fashionable in New York restaurants. Retailers report strong sales increases, with Waitrose noting a 50 percent rise and the Wine Society observing unexpectedly high demand for several bottles. Positioned as good value compared with similarly priced chablis or sancerre, white Bordeaux is emerging as a preferred choice for consumers seeking distinctive, well-made wines.

Advocates bringing high-quality wine for outdoor meals instead of cheap bottles, recommending options such as English chardonnay, pinot‑driven champagne, South African chenin blanc and affordable aromatic whites. Highlights the value of well-chosen wines, praises specific bottles and retailers, and encourages selecting refreshing, lightly effervescent varieties for summer cool bags.

Crémant continues to grow in popularity in the UK, with strong sales increases and rising prices prompting shoppers to seek out the best-value bottles. After tasting more than 25 options priced at £15 or less, the reviewer highlights standout recommendations and notes that some higher-priced alternatives also offer excellent quality. While several crémants deliver strong value and stylistic variety, a couple are identified as poor choices not worth purchasing.

Boxed wine has shed its old stigma, with improved quality making it popular among enthusiasts and restaurants. Smaller formats offer convenience, though shoppers are advised to check vintage stamps and packing codes to avoid outdated stock. Recommendations highlight standout options across white, red and rosé categories, including top-scoring selections such as Chicken wine and The Wine Society’s boxed White Burgundy.

English vineyards across several counties offer tastings, tours and distinctive experiences including picnics, yoga sessions, live music and urban winemaking. Smaller producers such as Harrow & Hope, Flint Vineyard, Vagabond, Nutbourne, Knightor and Simpsons Wine Estate provide notable settings and well‑regarded wines. Three recommended English wines are suggested as widely available options for summer enjoyment.

Explores nine reliable wine-and-food pairings, highlighting how varietals such as chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling, Portuguese whites, crémant, syrah, primitivo, tempranillo and pale rosé complement specific dishes. Dispels common myths about avoiding red wine with fish, reserving sweet wines for desserts and pairing fine wines only with elaborate meals, encouraging a pleasure-focused, flexible approach to matching wine with food.

Evaluations of Lidl’s rotating wine tours identify standout bottles from the June, July and upcoming Autumn selections, with Spanish and Portuguese wines receiving the strongest praise. Many 2024 whites and rosés are flagged as lacking freshness, and a Chilean malbec is deemed not worth buying. The piece highlights the breadth of Lidl’s wine range and notes upcoming shifts to longer seasonal rotations.

Recommends wines suited to casual British barbecues, emphasizing mood‑matching bottles including rosé, sparkling wine, refreshing whites and easy‑going vibrant reds. Highlights notable options such as Mirabeau Pure 2025 at promotional pricing, Balfour Blanc de Blancs Brut NV as an excellent English sparkling, and Nos Somos Alentejano Red 2024 as a versatile, atmospheric red. Suggests choices that can be served chilled and includes options with lower alcohol content.

A selection of top-value wines from Waitrose’s spring and summer 2026 tasting highlights strong new vintages, including Australian fiano and lower-alcohol syrah. Few wines were priced under £10, prompting a focus on the best full‑price options. Additional recommendations include Waitrose No.1 Soave Classico and the budget‑friendly Waitrose Blueprint Muscadet 2025 Loire.

Morrisons’ latest wine range shows uneven quality, with many bottles judged overpriced or outperformed by alternatives. Several ‘Best’ wines are marked as inferior to options from Aldi, Errazuriz or Wynns, while a set of four new Esporão wines from Portugal stands out as the strongest part of the tasting. Interest around the viral drink Blue Razz continues, noted by Morrisons’ wine buyer as repeatedly selling out.

Recommends fruity, slightly effervescent off-dry rosé as a versatile match for spicy curries, noting that sweetness and fruitiness help balance chilli heat. Highlights Mateus Rosé as a popular industry choice and suggests alternatives like pink vinho verde and off-dry still rosés. Stresses matching wine delicacy to the food and offers examples of more refined pairings such as New Zealand pinot with Thai beef salad and pinot gris with Thai green curry.

Cabernet franc is emerging as a serious challenger to malbec in Argentina, drawing attention for its nuanced, aromatic character and increasing presence on wine lists in Mendoza. Producers such as Zuccardi and Pulenta Estate showcase its potential, while retailers including The Wine Society and Asda are expanding offerings. Despite representing only a small share of vineyards, cabernet franc is gaining momentum due to its balance of richness and structure, appealing to both classical and modern palates.

Lower-priced rosé options from regions beyond Provence, including areas of France and countries such as Greece, Austria, Sardinia and Spain, are recommended as better-value alternatives this year. Provence still produces excellent rosé but should be treated as a premium choice. La Vieille Ferme is highlighted as the best inexpensive rosé, outperforming supermarket imitations. Various bottles and retailers are noted for current deals and availability.

Italian bitters and vermouth are highlighted as the ideal summer aperitifs, with a renewed focus on classic, bitter and herbaceous profiles amid growing consumer interest. Rising sales of traditional brands such as Martini, Cocchi and Campari reflect a shift away from overly sweet flavoured spritzes. Retailers report strong demand for vermouth and bitters, particularly as warmer weather encourages European-style aperitivo drinking. Recommendations include drinking vermouth over ice or with tonic, using classic bitter ratios for spritzes, and pairing Select or other bitters with simple summer dishes.

Chilled red wine has become a lasting trend, with some producers now crafting reds specifically for cooling and even adding bottle indicators to signal ideal temperature. Aldi’s Rouge Clair and Carvalho Martins’ Pacto Palhete are highlighted as strong examples that perform well when served cold, the latter designed explicitly for chilling and proving popular with buyers. Ideal chill levels vary by sweetness, wine style and personal preference, with the general guidance to refrigerate for a couple of hours and adjust based on conditions such as warm weather.

Leading Burgundy winemakers Pierre Duroché and Alex Moreau have produced their first English pinot noir and chardonnay in Essex, encouraged by the region’s warming climate and high-quality grapes. Early samples show strong potential, with both winemakers applying their own techniques while emphasizing that the wines will have a distinct English character. Limited releases of the collaborative wines are planned, reflecting growing international interest in English still wine.

More than 1,000 bottles from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s wine collection are being auctioned by Christie’s, featuring iconic Burgundy and Bordeaux wines along with notable Italian and Champagne selections. Highlights include rare vintages such as Romanée-Conti 2005, Château Cheval Blanc 1947 and Mouton Rothschild 1982. The sale benefits the Music in Secondary Schools Trust. Lloyd Webber, who no longer drinks, frames the auction as the closing of a personal era while offering collectors a chance to acquire his most prized bottles.

Aldi has sharply reduced its wine range from about 250 bottles to roughly 140, concentrating on lower‑priced options with most bottles under £6. Despite the narrower selection, several strong French offerings and reliable favourites such as Greek assyrtiko and rosorange remain, along with a well‑received new muscadelle. After tasting more than 70 wines, the reviewer highlights the best-value choices while noting that the shift reflects consumers’ tighter budgets.

Recommends six wine styles suited to spring, emphasizing fresh flavours, light body and versatility with seasonal foods. Highlights floral wines for pairing with spiced dishes, the ongoing popularity of vinho verde, distinctive Italian whites available in limited quantities, chilled light reds, an impressive Greek trio from Maltby & Greek, and a standout rosé from the Perrin family.

Jacob’s Creek has reappeared in UK supermarkets with a redesigned range aimed at modern drinkers after years of declining presence on shelves. Now owned by newly formed Vinarchy, the brand has been repositioned with lighter, fresher blends, simplified flavour cues and vibrant packaging resembling contemporary beverage trends. Priced at £9.50 and launched in Tesco, the wines are intended to appeal to casual drinkers seeking an easy, cocktail-like experience rather than traditional wine enthusiasts. The relaunch reflects changing consumer tastes and competition in the global wine market, offering approachable but generic styles that suit relaxed, uncomplicated drinking.

Victoria Moore presents seven alternatives to the classic Aperol spritz, including Hugo, vermouth-based, limoncello, rhubarbicello, sake and Moscatel versions, alongside alcohol-free options from Botivo, Sanbitter and Crodino. The article provides precise serving proportions, garnish suggestions and product recommendations, emphasizing the growing variety and popularity of refreshing, low- and no-alcohol aperitivo drinks.