Matt Walls

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Decanter's Rhône coresspondent, and DWWA Regional Chair for the Rhône.

Matt Walls is an award-winning freelance wine writer and consultant, contributing regular articles to various print and online titles including Decanter, where he is a contributing editor. He has particular interest in the Rhône Valley; he is chair of the Rhône panel at the Decanter World Wine Awards and is the owner of travel and events company www.rhoneroots.com.

He writes about all areas of wine, but specialises in the Rhône.

Matt's latest book, The Smart Traveller's Wine Guide to the Rhône Valley, was published in September 2025.

‘Vieille Julienne’s Réservé is Grenache in excelsis’: Matt Walls on a Châteauneuf stand out

An unforgettable Grenache – one to rule them all?

Matt Walls: ‘Since we can only consume a bottle once, it needs to be memorable’

Matt Walls on what constitutes quality in wine...

By Matt Walls Last updated 11 November 25
How Tablas Creek went on a quest to bottle Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s hidden grapes

A taste of the Rhône from Paso...

By Matt Walls Last updated 27 October 25
Matt Walls picks the 12 best Cornas wines to open now or save for later

Stellar nothern stars...

By Matt Walls Last updated 27 October 25
Walls: The best wines to buy from Gigondas in 2022

Here are the wines to try from an extreme vintage...

By Matt Walls Last updated 27 October 25
Eight top Rhône wines to buy in the supermarket

Don't miss these great value buys...

By Matt Walls Last updated 17 October 25
Walls’ hidden gems: The delicious originality of Château Boucarut

Vibrant and drinkable wines from Lirac and Tavel...

By Matt Walls Published 12 August 25

Walls: Rhône reds lighten up

A trend towards paler reds...

By Matt Walls Published 22 July 25
Walls: Exceptional single-vineyard Côte-Rôtie from Benjamin & David Duclaux

A rare vertical tasting brings attention to the quality and ageing potential of some of Côte-Rôtie's little-known single vineyards.

By Matt Walls Published 8 July 25
Walls: The joy of sand

With 11 wines from sandy soils...

By Matt Walls Published 24 June 25
Walls: Exploring the wines of L’Euthymie De Sophie

Meeting a new wine talent in Côte-Rôtie...

By Matt Walls Last updated 17 June 25
Walls’ hidden gems: Domaine Verzier, a new future for the northern Rhône

Transparent wines with a sense of place...

By Matt Walls Published 10 June 25
Walls: Reflections on what makes cuvée Boisrenard so spéciale

A truly special cuvée...

By Matt Walls Published 27 May 25

Walls: 19 vintages of Beaucastel’s white Rhône masterpiece

Remarkable longevity from an estate that defies convention...

By Matt Walls Last updated 23 April 25
St-Joseph: Revisiting 2022 in bottle

Surprising balance from an extreme year...

By Matt Walls Published 22 April 25
Côtes du Rhône Villages Nyons: Where olives and vines are inextricably linked

Go here to satisfy both your wine and olive cravings...

By Matt Walls Last updated 13 April 25
Château de Beaucastel completes radical €12m cellar project

An inauguration date of 21 May 2025 has been set...

By Matt Walls Published 10 April 25
Walls: Exclusive first taste of M Chapoutier’s Sélections Parcellaires 2024

A taste of what's to come...

By Matt Walls Published 25 March 25
Walls’ hidden gems: Domaine Mayard, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Forging a distinct identity...

By Matt Walls Published 11 March 25

Walls: The best new Côtes du Rhône wines under £20

Wines with a sense of place under £20? Yes please...

By Matt Walls Last updated 6 March 25
Walls: Domaine de la Mordorée’s La Plume du Peintre; then and now

The evolution of a southern Rhône label...

By Matt Walls Last updated 24 February 25
My other passion: Orchids… with Florent Lançon of Domaine de la Solitude

Decanter talks to winemaker Florent Lançon of Domaine de la Solitude...

By Matt Walls Published 13 February 25
White Châteauneuf-du-Pape: 20 of the best

Matt Walls looks at the 'other' Châteauneuf...

By Matt Walls Last updated 6 February 25
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020: Best-value wines

Thirty great-value wines from the compelling 2020 vintage...

By Matt Walls Last updated 6 February 25
Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Revisiting 2020 in bottle

'I’m now in no doubt that 2020 is an excellent year, in quite a distinct style,' says Matt Walls...

By Matt Walls Last updated 6 February 25

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