Matt Walls Wine Blog
Practical tips, tricks and info to help you get the most out of wine
  • About the blog
  • About me

The Wine Snob: an endangered species?

By Matt On May 14, 2013 · Leave a Comment

The snob may look just like you and me, but it is parasite in disguise. It leaves its victim poisoned. When the snob discovered wine, like a facehugger, it pounced. But now the snob is weakened, dying; and wine is on the path to recovery.

Decades ago, wine had to be imported into [...]

Continue Reading →

Chablis: Ice queen

By Matt On April 30, 2013 · Leave a Comment

A brief introduction to the wines of Chablis…

You’d have trouble making drinkable wine further north than Chablis. Every year the local winegrowers sleep fitfully during spring, keeping one eye on the thermometer. Frost is a tireless threat, and can decimate a crop. But if the delicate buds make it through the spring, and the [...]

Continue Reading →

2011 Rhône: the George Harrison vintage

By Matt On April 16, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Who was the best musician out of The Beatles? Let’s face it, it’s either Paul and John. What about George Harrison? After Paul and John, George comes a solid third. Sorry Ringo.

If 2011 Rhône was a Beatle, it would be George. The two stellar years of 2009 and 2010 would be Paul and John; [...]

Continue Reading →

Gevrey-Chambertin: Deep Burgundy

By Matt On April 6, 2013 · Leave a Comment

A brief introduction to the wines of Gevrey-Chambertin in Burgundy…

With over 600 vineyards across 100 appellations, Burgundy can be a daunting region to explore. Especially when most vineyards are split between numerous producers – some lazy, some gifted.

There’s no easy way in. Just choose one village at a time and taste a handful [...]

Continue Reading →

Communion wine: forbidden fruit

By Matt On March 21, 2013 · 2 Comments

If Jesus had chosen something other than the fruit of the vine for his followers to worship him with, today’s wine lovers might have a harder time indulging their hobby. You might have to meet up with a mate of a mate in a pub car park to collect a few [...]

Continue Reading →

Bottles of paradise

By Matt On March 5, 2013 · Leave a Comment

A brief introduction to the wines of Corsica…

In Corsica, the regional wine is designated ‘Vin de Pays d’Île de Beauté’. Now a level of provincial pride is to be expected in France, but naming your region the ‘Island of Beauty’ takes some beating. But in reality it’s actually an understatement; Corsica is jaw-droppingly, heart-stoppingly [...]

Continue Reading →

Everyday value? The best and worst of supermarket own label wines

By Matt On February 20, 2013 · 2 Comments

Lined up against the wall in my hallway, they stood quietly like forlorn commuters queuing for a bus. These were not bottles to make a taster salivate. Why didn’t I suggest a tasting of vintage Champagnes instead, I wondered? But this is the sharp end of the market: a collection of 92 supermarket [...]

Continue Reading →

Hermitage: Hidden Dragon

By Matt On February 7, 2013 · Leave a Comment

A brief introduction to the wines of Hermitage…

Some of the most eminent winemaking villages of France also turn out to be the most beautiful. Tain l’Hermitage sadly isn’t one of them. Far from ugly, but fairly unremarkable, it crouches at the bottom of an imposing hill of granite that forces a bulge in the [...]

Continue Reading →

Gaillac the Tortoise

By Matt On January 22, 2013 · 2 Comments

Say the word ‘Gaillac’ and what does it conjure up? Not a lot. Florent Plageoles of leading estate Domaine Plageoles confirms “we have a big image problem”. It’s not that it has a poor image, it’s just it doesn’t have much of an image at all – not amongst most UK drinkers at [...]

Continue Reading →

Champagne: the smallest stars shine the brightest

By Matt On January 15, 2013 · Leave a Comment

A brief introduction to the wines of Champagne…

Most of us have a favourite Champagne, the label that raises a subtle smile when spotted in the lilting hand of our host. Champagne has a special place in the hearts of the British: we imported more than 34 million bottles last year, way more than any [...]

Continue Reading →
← Previous Entries
  • Winner of Fortnum & Mason Food & Drink Awards Newcomer of the Year 2013

    Shortlisted for International Wine & Spirit Competition Blogger of the Year 2012

    Matt Walls is part of a new generation of modern young wine writers who are more interested in mind-blowing flavour than etiquette. Having first got into wine working in off-licenses in Brighton, he has since worked for Bollinger Champagne and helped manage and buy wines for The Sampler, a wine shop in London where you can try the wines before you buy. He is a judge for two international wine competitions, and his first book has just been published by Quadrille – Drink Me! How to choose, taste and enjoy wine. He works as a freelance writer and consultant and is based in London.

    From time to time I put on various types of wine events; some are free, otherwise cheap, mostly in London. If you want to be added to the mailing list just send an email to mw(at)mattwalls.co.uk. No wine knowledge or experience required - just a thirst for something interesting.

  • Blogroll

    • Big Pinots
    • Jancis Robinson
    • Old Parn's wine reviews
    • The Morning Claret
    • The Wine Doctor
    • Tim Atkin MW
    • Vinolent
    • Wine Woman Song
  • Twitter Updates

    • RT @SkintLondon: 16-24 & want to get into the music biz? @ForeignBeggars are holding FREE workshops nxt week @dalstonroofpark http://t.co/h… 5 hours ago
    • Looking to develop your range at #liwf this week? My guide to the pros and cons of the 3 main buying channels is in the latest @HarpersWine 7 hours ago
    • Tablets are great but try looking cool taking a photo with one 1 day ago
  • Search this site

Matt Walls Wine Blog

Pages

  • About me
  • About the blog

The Latest

  • The Wine Snob: an endangered species?
    The snob may look just like you and me, but it […]

More

Feel free to join the discussion by leaving comments, and stay updated by subscribing to the RSS feed.
© 2013 Matt Walls
Platform by PageLines