Wine Education - Matthew's World of Wine and Drink

A trip to Catalunya to learn all about Cava, confirming that the wines are a reflection of place and realising the importance of blending for sparkling wine.

Apr 25

Apr 25 Rías Baixas & Vinho Verde

Two regions on either side of the Spain-Portugal border, both making exciting yet extremely different wines from Albariño/Alvarinho which are expressions of culture and identity as well as winemaking.

Apr 11

Apr 11 Styles of Prosecco

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.

Mar 21

Mar 21 Columbia Gorge, Washington

USA

Columbia Gorge: an AVA which is in both Washington and Oregon with a little bit of the character of both: wet in the winter, hot in the summer. It’s beautiful, with some kooky winemakers who have been experimenting with different grape varieties and winemaking practices since the 1990s with outstanding Grüner Veltliner and Gamay among the results. One of the most distinctive, unusual, and exciting regions on the US West Coast.

Feb 10

Feb 10 McLaren Vale

australia

McLaren Vale lies south of Adelaide, a region revitalised since the 1990s. An old, historic area, there are numerous soil types, varied climatic influences, old vines, and new plantings of Italian varieties: visiting McLaren Vale is an insight into its past and its future.

Feb 9

Feb 9 Adelaide Hills

australia

Adelaide Hills has emerged in the last thirty years as a cool-climate region producing outstanding Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. It’s just outside Adelaide, but is completely different from nearby warmer regions such as Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. It’s also, despite its proximity to Adelaide, quite a remote, rural region: a trip to Australia’s agricultural heartland.

Feb 9

Feb 9 Tasmania

australia

Tasmania is a now fashionable island off the south coast of Australia, becoming increasingly known for its high-quality sparkling wine—but there’s also Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and some amazing whisky. The perfect place to visit!

Oct 22

Oct 22 Book Review: Doctors and Distillers

spirits

Review of Doctors and Distillers by Camper English, an entertaining look at the historical connections between medicine and alcohol, and the amazing and diverse drinks that have arisen as a result.

Oct 7

Oct 7 Amanda Barnes on South America's Wines

South America: a bewildering, vast continent where wine has been made for hundreds of years. The size of the continent makes it a difficult concept to fully understand, but Amanda Barnes has published the best, most comprehensive book on South America’s wines. It’s a must-have book: here’s why.

Jun 17

Jun 17 Abruzzo

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.

Jun 10

Jun 10 rancio/rancí

Rancio is an extreme style of wine made in Mediterranean France and Spain, and a strong part of Catalan culture and history. It may not be the most popular style, but it’s fascinating and there is still some amazing examples being made as I discovered on my recent trip.

Jun 10

Jun 10 Catalan White Wines

Catalunya may be more known for its red wines, but there’s plenty of great white wine made too from an array of varieties such as Garnatxa Blanca, Macabeo, Pedro Ximinez, and Malvasia. Should we be drinking these wines when we can’t afford white Burgundy?

Jun 6

Jun 6 Priorat & Montsant

Priorat is one the most rugged, beautiful wine regions. I recently visited, and learnt all about the soils, slopes, and grape varieties—and heard lots of different opinions about how best to make wine in the region. Surrounding Priorat is Montsant, an unsung region that may become better known in the near future.

Jun 3

Jun 3 Languedoc

france

Languedoc: a vast region that’s difficult to wrap one’s head around. But a brief trip to Pic-St-Loup and St-Chinian gave an insight into the high-quality potential that small producers are capable of fulfilling.

Mar 28

Mar 28 England

Over the last 30 years, English sparkling wine has developed from nothing to being one of the most exciting categories around. I got to visit English wine country for the first time: quality is high and English bubbles are not going away.

Dec 14

Dec 14 The White Wines of the Rhône

france

The Rhône is best known for its red wines, but there’s a fair amount of white wine made too, varying in style and price point: rich and aromatic to fresh and easy-drinking. That diversity makes white Rhône well worth exploring.

Nov 14

Nov 14 Silvaner/Sylvaner

Silvaner is an historic white variety found in Germany and Alsace. Plantings declined in the twentieth century, but quality producers are working with the grape again and producing interesting alternatives to Riesling. Here’s a quick guide to Silvaner!

Oct 18

Oct 18 Terroir and Sparkling Wine

“Can we talk about terroir in the context of sparkling wine?” For those who want to dismiss the concept of terroir, sparkling wine is a convenient weapon because production method is so important. But the quality and style of sparkling wine changes from region to region and within regions. Why? Because of terroir.

Sep 21

Sep 21 Should We Be Drinking More Cava?