Notes

Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

The European – Summer 2026 Edition – AN ENGLISH FIZZ SPECIAL

Prosecco, Cava and Champagne have gone flat – but British fizz is popping With Prosecco losing its sparkle, Cava no longer the bargain it once was and Champagne painfully pricey, Matthew Jukes says Britain’s best sparkling wines are ready for their sunshine moment Here’s a question: what glass do you reach for when someone opens a bottle…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

Believe By Jukes – in select Tesco (and select Tesco.com) and The Wine Society NOW

The Believe by Jukes story is nearly as long as the genesis of the Classic Jukes range. I have always wanted to create flavours that free themselves from all existing categories and constraints of traditional drinks. Whereas the Classic Jukes collection appeals to those seeking the most delicious alcohol-free alternative imaginable to fine wines,…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

100 Best Australian Wines 2026 Review

feedback first... Some wonderful quotes about this year’s 100 Best from attendees, sommeliers and winemakers alike (thank you for your kind words) “Thank you for all the things you do for Australian wine.” AC “Holy Moly, what a book! Well done, Matey.  Thank you for your spectacular arrangement of words about the wines. Unique and beautiful.”…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

TWO EPIC SUMMER WHITES AT UNMISSABLE PRICES!

NEWSFLASH - IT'S HOT OUT THERE  As the mercury rises to hitherto unknown levels this week, my go-to white wine style (and I have already partaken with joyous alacrity and enthusiastic tempo) has been unshakable! This weather calls for bone-dry, unoaked, crystalline, and phenomenally refreshing creations that speed-skate across the palate and leave…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

SPECIAL EDITION PART 2 – THE NEW TORBRECK RELEASES

Left to Right - Ian Hongell, MJ, Andrew Tierney, Marcus Parry  It is such a privilege to be given the opportunity to taste the Escarpment wines and the Torbreck portfolio (these wineries are under the same ownership) each year ahead of their release, and these wines never disappoint.  Sitting at both the top of the NZ and Aussie trees, the wines…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

SPECIAL EDITION PART 1 – THE NEW ESCARPMENT RELEASES

It is such a privilege to be given the opportunity to taste the Escarpment wines and the Torbreck portfolio (these wineries are under the same ownership) each year ahead of their release, and these wines never disappoint.  Sitting at both the top of the NZ and Aussie trees, the wines below are essential in any serious cellar.  I will fill in stockist…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

BORDEAUX 2025 EN PRIMEUR NOTES – FIRST TASTE Clos Cantenac & Séraphine

2025 was a hot vintage, with just the right amount of rain and welcome cool nights.  These are the perfect conditions for making great red wines.  Let’s hope that when the prices emerge, they are fair and the market sees some action.  While people’s cellars are fit to bursting with decent, and in many cases overpriced, wines, the world is…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

The European Spring Edition 2026

Here is the copy from my inaugural column in The European Whispering Angel at 20: the rosé that ruled them all Two decades after Whispering Angel first rewrote the rules of pink wine, Matthew Jukes raises a toast to the bottle that transformed a seasonal curiosity into a global powerhouse, and sets out where serious rosé lovers should look next I…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

***100 Best Australian Wines 2026 Festival Wines, Dates & Links to Tickets***

  LONDON - 7TH MARCH - TATE MODERN - DONE MANCHESTER - 10TH MARCH - HALLÉ AT ST MICHAEL’S - DONE YORK - 11TH MARCH - YORK MINSTER REFECTORY - DONE BIRMINGHAM - 14TH MARCH - THE GRAND HOTEL - DONE EDINBURGH - 21ST MARCH - THE EDINBURGH ACADEMY - DONE It is beyond exciting to announce the dates and cities for my 100 Best Australian Wines…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

2023 Sassicaia & Friends Launch – 5th February 2026 at 67 Pall Mall

The UK representative is Armit Wines As many will know, I have a love/like relationship with Sassicaia and a growing (deep) affection for Le Difese.  Guidalberto has yet to convince me of its charms, and yet today’s tasting has certainly pushed all three of these wines higher in my estimations.  I have not detailed my thoughts on the second…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

2023 Vintage Boekenhoutskloof Launch – released date 5th Feb 2026

I popped into town this morning for a glorious tasting and chat with the maestro, Marc Kent. We kicked off a pre-tasting with a remarkably decadent Semillon retrospective, which took me entirely by surprise.  I have listed the merchants who have requested micro-allocations of museum stocks below.  Please act fast if you would like to secure these…
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Matthew Jukes -Articles- Notes

2022 La Chapelle / Grange – embargoed until 1pm on the 30th January 2026

An overview - Tectonic plates and stellar palates collided in the most exciting wine joint venture of my wine lifetime when winemaker Peter Gago’s Penfolds married his elite Shiraz from iconic Aussie red wine Grange with The Frey family’s legendary Syrah from the monumental Hermitage La Chapelle, in the northern Rhône.  A 50/50 blend has been…
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