About Matthew's World of Wine and Drink.

This blog began as a record of taking the WSET Diploma, during which I studied and explored wines and spirits made all around the world. Having passed the Diploma and become a WSET Certified Educator, the blog has become much more: a continual outlet for my passion for the culture of wine, spirits, and beer.

I aim to educate in an informal, enlightening, and engaging manner. As well as maintaining this blog to track my latest enthusiasms, I provide educational tastings for restaurants and for private groups. Details can be found on the website, and collaborations are welcome.

Wine is my primary interest and area of expertise and this blog aims to immerse the reader in the history of wine, to understand why wine tastes like it does, and to explore all the latest news. At the same time, beer and spirits will never be ignored.

For the drinker, whether casual or professional, today is a good time to be alive.

Oct 29

Oct 29 Italian Wine Ambassador

Matthew Gaughan

italy

I just got back from New York where I took a course to become an Italian Wine Ambassador. Here’s what happened…

Aug 30

Aug 30 Lake Garda Wine Regions

Matthew Gaughan

italy

The wines made near Lake Garda are perhaps more known for reds than whites, but there’s plenty of white wine produced. The most famous is Soave, and there are some lesser known regions like Lugana and Bianca di Custizo. Here’s a quick overview of the regions surrounding Lake Garda, which are often only drunk locally.

Aug 28

Aug 28 Amarone

Matthew Gaughan

italy

A tasting of 13 Amarone wines was a welcome if unusual pleasure: lots of alcohol, lots of tannin. It showed how ageworthy Amarone is—and it made me want to fly to Verona and visit my favourite restaurants there.

Feb 11

Feb 11 Yet More Italian Grape Varieties

Matthew Gaughan

italy

At a recent tasting, I discovered some more of Italy’s many grape varieties that I had never heard of before: Colorino, Cesanese, Passerina, Bellone, Ortrugo, Rabaso, Pico Ross, Malbo Gentile, Maestri, all obscure but historic.

Apr 11

Apr 11 Styles of Prosecco

Matthew Gaughan

italy

Think all prosecco tastes the same? Think again. An overview of the different styles of prosecco, which are much more varied and historic than the commercial, inexpensive versions which dominate the market: one style, Col Fondo or Sui Lieviti, is even unique to the region.

Jun 17

Jun 17 Abruzzo

Matthew Gaughan

italy

I went to a tasting of Abruzzo wines to see if Montepulciano d’Abruzzo can convince: I came away much more excited by the whites from Pecorino, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, and a variety I’d never heard of before, Cococciola.

Feb 21

Feb 21 The Unending World of Italian Wine

Matthew Gaughan

italy

With nearly 400 grape varieties, Italy is a country you'll never tire of.