Hello, I’m Matt. I’m a freelance wine expert currently based in London and Avignon (watch my recent BBC documentary on English wine here). I’ve worked on countless wine related projects over the past 25 years, but here are a few things I’ve been up to recently…
Writing articles
I’m a contributing editor at Decanter magazine and I contribute regular articles for timatkin.com and Club Oenologique. I’ve written for many other titles over the years, including Imbibe, Foodism, Square Meal, Harpers, Living France, Le Pan…
Writing books
My first book, Drink Me!, was published by Quadrille in 2012 in their acclaimed New Voices in Food series and went on to sell over 10,000 copies. I was given the Fortnum & Mason ‘Best Newcomer’ Award on the back of its success. In 2018 I moved to the Rhône Valley for two years to research and write my latest book, Wines of the Rhône, that was published in 2021. It was shortlisted for the André Simon Food and Drink Book Awards the same year.
Writing copy
If you need someone to write accurate, engaging, unattributed wine copy, I can help. I have experience in producing effective copy for large companies which has featured in national UK newspapers and magazines.
Presenting tastings and speaking
I used to find public speaking nerve-wracking but today I enjoy it. I’ve recently presented masterclasses to sell-out crowds of trade professionals at the London Wine Fair and Imbibe Live. I’m happy working on a stage, behind a stand, on podcasts, radio, video or livestreaming online.
Producing restaurant wine lists
Do you want an exceptional wine list for your pub, restaurant or hotel – but lack the expertise to produce it in-house? If so, give me a call. Clients include The Table in London Bridge, who I I worked with for eight years.
“The wine list is a joy. The management recently brought in specialist Matt Walls as a consultant to rejuvenate their vinous offering and I would say they certainly got their money’s worth.” Noah May, The Arbuturian
“…a clever, curiosity-packed wine list” Marina O’Laughlin, The Guardian
I also established a wine list for Café Below in the City of London that went on to win Best Café Wine List in the 2015 Imbibe Wine List of the Year competition.
Judging wine competitions
As you can see in the articles section, I write about and enjoy all styles of wine. However, if there’s one region in which I have particular expertise it’s the Rhône – I’m Regional Chair for the Rhône at the Decanter World Wine Awards. In the UK I’ve also judged at the International Wine Challenge, the International Wine & Spirit Competition, the Sud de France Sommelier of the Year Competition…
Internationally, I’ve judged the Pays d’Oc Collection in France, the Hunter Valley Wine Competition in Australia… And it’s not all wine – one recent highlight of my year was judging the London Steak Awards.
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As you can see I love wine and I’m always looking for new wine-related projects to sink my teeth into. Do you think we could work together? Let’s find out – send me an email at mw@mattwalls.co.uk
Shortlisted for the 67 Pall Mall Global Wine Communicator Awards 2024 Best Wine Communicator in Short-Form Writing
Shortlisted for the André Simon Food and Drink Book Awards 2021 for Wines of the Rhône
Shortlisted for the Born Digital Wine Awards 2020 Best Editorial/Opinion Wine Writing
Shortlisted for the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards 2019 Online Communicator
Shortlisted for the Born Digital Wine Awards 2019 Best Tourism Content with a focus on Wine
Shortlisted for the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards 2017 Food and Wine Writer of the Year
Shortlisted for the Born Digital Wine Awards 2016 Best Editorial/Opinion Wine Writing
Shortlisted for the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards 2016 Online Drink Writer
Winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2015 Blogger of the Year
Shortlisted for the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards 2015 Online Communicator
Runner Up in the Born Digital Wine Awards 2015 Best Editorial/Opinon Wine Writing
Shortlisted for Harpers Wine & Spirit French Wine Awards 2014 Best French Wine Writer/Critic
Shortlisted for the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2014 Blogger of the Year
Shortlisted for the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2013 Blogger of the Year
Off Licence News Top 25 Policy and Opinion Formers 2013
Winner of the Drinks Business Awards 2013 Communicator of the Year
Winner of the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards 2013 Newcomer of the Year
Shortlisted for the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2012 Blogger of the Year