Why Simon J Woolf’s 2026 Plans Matter for Curious Wine Lovers

New year, new energy from The Morning Claret. Simon J Woolf just laid out his 2026 game plan, and it reads like a love letter to curious drinkers who want fewer emails, smarter guides, and a little more soul in their glass. The headline: a forthcoming guide to budget natural wines from Burgundy, a reader-friendly monthly digest, and—because writers need fuel too—a five-night nonfiction writing course in Slovenia with a winery visit.

Woolf’s update is equal parts transparency and intention. In his words, “More guides are on the way.” —Simon J Woolf, The Morning Claret.

Style Snapshot: What “Budget Natural Burgundy” Could Mean

Let’s translate the tease. Burgundy is famously Pinot Noir (red) and Chardonnay (white), with Aligoté playing a feisty supporting role. In classic terms, Pinot from Burgundy trends dry, light to medium bodied, with fine tannins and high-toned acidity. Chardonnay ranges from chiselled and mineral to gently creamy—still dry, often with a savory finish that keeps you reaching back for the glass.

Layer in natural winemaking—minimal additives, native yeasts, lower-intervention cellar work—and you typically get wines where fruit purity, texture, and energy are front and center. Done well, red Burgundies can feel like silk with edge; whites can be stony, saline, and quietly powerful. If skin-contact whites (orange wines) pop up in the mix—hey, Burgundy isn’t famous for them, but experimentation happens—expect dry, textural bottles with tea-like grip.

Here’s the kicker: Woolf frames the guide as “budget natural wines from Burgundy,” and admits that in Burgundy, “budget” might mean under €50. That sounds steep until you remember that Burgundy’s tiny parcels, global demand, and painstaking farming make sub-€50 bottles the value zone rather than the splurge zone. The interesting tension here is classic: Burgundy is tradition central, while natural wine is the rebel cousin. The overlap is small but growing, and that’s exactly where discovery gets fun.

Best occasion: Weeknight dinner flex or friend’s-night-in when you want nuance without pretense.

Best pairing direction: Keep it simple and protein-friendly. For reds (Pinot Noir): roast chicken, charred mushrooms, soy-glazed salmon. For whites (Chardonnay): soft cheeses, lemony fish, and anything that plays nice with acidity.

Context: The Guides, the Digest, and Less FOMO

Woolf’s track record with guides—think Collio and Brda orange wines, Bordeaux low-intervention reds, and Mosel’s new faces—shows a clear pattern: map a style or region with enough depth to buy smart, then share sourcing intel for US readers. That last bit matters. It’s one thing to wax poetic about a unicorn cuvée; it’s another to tell people where to actually find the bottle.

He also heard the inbox fatigue. For the “too many tabs, too little time” crowd, The Morning Claret’s new TMC Digest is a monthly roundup you specifically opt into, not yet another auto-blast. As Woolf puts it, “I’ve created TMC Digest for you.” —Simon J Woolf, The Morning Claret. It’s a tidy solution: less noise, more signal.

Why This Matters for Buyers in 2026

2026 is shaping up to be another year where value hunting requires real intel. Burgundy remains scarce and pricey; natural wine continues to broaden in style and quality; and import pipelines are still uneven. A curated guide to natural Burgundy under €50 doesn’t just scratch an itch—it helps buyers calibrate expectations about style (dry, elegant, acid-forward) and availability. It also nudges us beyond big-name villages to the overlooked corners and emerging growers where freshness and authenticity punch above their weight.

And then there’s the craft of wine writing itself. Woolf’s late-May writing course in Slovenia blends the practical with the inspirational: editing, storytelling, and at least one visit to a natural/organic winery. Spots are limited—“There will only be seven places available.” —Simon J Woolf, The Morning Claret—which tells you it’ll be hands-on, not a lecture hall snooze.

How to Use This Info Now

If Burgundy on a budget sounds like your sweet spot, start calibrating your palate. Remember: Pinot Noir from cooler sites = red fruit, spice, bright acidity; Chardonnay from limestone-rich zones = tension and mineral drive. When you see “low-intervention” tied to Burgundy, think purity over polish and vitality over plush oak. If you crave texture, keep an eye out for skin-contact experiments, but expect them to be rare birds.

As for the Digest, opt in if your inbox looks like the 405 at rush hour. You’ll still get the goods—just once a month, without the FOMO. And if you’re a budding writer (or just a thoughtful drinker who likes to take notes), Slovenia in spring with a small cohort and a winery field trip sounds like a pretty great reset.

Closing Takeaway

The Morning Claret’s 2026 roadmap strikes the right balance: more guidance where it counts, less inbox noise, and a generous nod to craft. Expect a clearer path to dry, terroir-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Burgundy’s more accessible edges. Expect sourcing tips that help you buy, not just browse. And expect a writer-editor who’s still chasing wonder, thoughtfully.

Source: https://themorningclaret.com/p/wine-and-wonder-in-2026