Majestic Wine sued by wine writer over use of tasting note

Wine writer Martin Isark is suing Majestic Wine over the alleged misuse of a tasting note.

Isark, the author of The Supermarket Own Brand Guide, claims the note was used on the wrong vintage and without his permission.

This is the third time he has taken legal action over the alleged misuse of his tasting notes.

In 2005, he sued Concha y Toro for using one of his tasting notes on the wrong vintages and without permission.

This case, as well as a case involving Direct Wines Ltd, was settled out of court.

It is believed both settlements, including legal costs, ran into six figures.

On his website, Isark writes, ‘There are misconceptions about the use of journalists’ tasting notes.

‘It is often assumed that, once a tasting comment appears “in the public domain”, then it is available to anyone to use. That is not so.’

Majestic Wine did not comment.

WATCH our brilliant new How to taste wine video with Steven Spurrier

Follow us on Twitter

Written by Jim Budd