
Matt Walls
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 publishes the blog mattwalls.co.uk, for which he was named the 2015 International Wine & Spirit Competition Blogger of the Year.
His first book on wine, Drink Me!, won Best Newcomer at the 2013 Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards. In addition to writing, Walls advises restaurants on wine lists, hosts tastings and judges at food and wine competitions.
He was previously fine wine manager at UK importer Mentzendorff, and bought wines for the flagship store of London’s The Sampler.
He writes about all areas of wine, but specialises in the Rhône, for which he was Regional Chair at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2019.
Matt's latest book, The Smart Traveller's Wine Guide to the Rhône Valley, was published in September 2025.
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Walls: 30 premium Côtes du Rhône wines to try
Top-tier Côtes du Rhône wines...
By Matt Walls Published
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Walls: Tasting Château de Montfaucon – ‘Lirac’s finest wines’
Fantastic verticals of a red and white wine worth seeking out...
By Matt Walls Published
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Walls’ hidden gems: Domaine d’Abrigeon, Buisson
A new name worth having on your radar...
By Matt Walls Published
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Clairette around the world: 53 shining examples
Dry whites that impress Matt Walls...
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Walls: tasting Domaine Burgaud’s Côte-Rôtie 1988-2008
What determines how long a wine will age?
By Matt Walls Published
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Walls: Cave de Cairanne, back from the brink
A cooperative success story...
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Exploring the Southern Rhône with Matt Walls
Would a peaceful village like Gigondas be your idea of heaven? Or a lively melting pot like Avignon?
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Exploring the Northern Rhône with Matt Walls
Where to eat and drink, and the wineries to visit.
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Walls’ hidden gems: Domaine Garon, Côte-Rôtie
A name and wines to know...
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Rhône vintages: four to lay down and four to drink now
The best to drink up and those to keep cellared...
By Matt Walls Published
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Rhône trends to look out for in 2023
Three predictions on grapes, style and farming...
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021: report and top-scoring wines
Matt Walls selects the best wines from this appellation in 2021...
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Matt Walls: my top wines of 2022
Find out which wines really rocked his world this year...
By Matt Walls Published
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Mature Rhône from the cellar for Christmas
Matt Walls picks out some special bottles...
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Big push on Rhône Valley whites underway
The aim is to double shipments between now and 2031...
By Matt Walls Published
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Rhône 2021: best value wines
Find out which top value Rhône 2021 wines to buy...
By Matt Walls Published
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Crozes-Hermitage 2021: report and top-scoring wines
See the key producers, best wines and top-value picks in 2021...
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Hermitage 2021: report and top-scoring wines
Matt Walls finds brisk whites but underwhelming reds...
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Cornas & St-Péray 2021: report and top-scoring wines
Some great wines to look out for in 2021...
By Matt Walls Last updated
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St-Joseph 2021: report and top-scoring wines
Matt Walls' top 2021 reds and whites...
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Côte-Rôtie & Condrieu 2021: report and top-scoring wines
Don't miss out on 2021 Condrieu...
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Lirac & Tavel 2021: report and top-scoring wines
The best Lirac and Tavel 2021 wines to look out for
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Rasteau, Cairanne & Vinsobres 2021: report and top-scoring wines
Stick to the best terroirs and producers and you'll be rewarded...
By Matt Walls Last updated
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Gigondas, Vacqueyras & Beaumes de Venise 2021: report and top-scoring wines
Find out which wines to buy from these three appellations
By Matt Walls Last updated
