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.

Southern Rhône 2019 report plus top scoring wines

Despite extremely hot and dry conditions, the 2019 vintage has produced plenty of delicious, rich and vivid wines that are well worth buying from the southern Rhône says Matt Walls.

Walls: Domaine Alain Voge’s evolution in 10 wines

What's changed and where is the domaine now?

By Matt Walls Published 14 June 22
Walls’ hidden gems: Domaine La Ferme St-Martin, Beaumes de Venise

Expressive, drinkable, balanced and well-priced Rhône wines...

By Matt Walls Published 24 May 22
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019 & 2009: panel tasting results

96 wines tasted

By Matt Walls Published 20 May 22
Walls: a drink with Château de Beaucastel’s César Perrin

Winemaker César Perrin explains the changes afoot at Château de Beaucastel...

By Matt Walls Last updated 10 May 22
Walls: Tavel and its unexpected revolution

Rosé rising - read about the resurgence of Tavel...

By Matt Walls Published 26 April 22
Crozes-Hermitage 2020: report and top-scoring wines

Roussanne stands out in 2020...

By Matt Walls Last updated 23 March 22

Walls’ hidden gems: Mas de Libian, Ardèche

An estate to know and the wines to seek out...

By Matt Walls Published 22 March 22
Rhône producer to know: Domaine Laurent Habrard, Crozes-Hermitage

Five wines rated...

By Matt Walls Published 19 March 22
Expert’s Choice: St-Péray

It once rivalled Champagne...

By Matt Walls Last updated 16 March 22
Walls: Tasting the classic 2001 Guigal La Las

See how the three wines taste today...

By Matt Walls Published 8 March 22
Walls: Vacqueyras 2015 vs 2016 – how are they drinking now?

Matt Walls' expert advice on which wines to buy...

By Matt Walls Published 22 February 22
Walls’ hidden gems: Domaine Richaud, Cairanne

Drama, energy and authenticity abound...

By Matt Walls Published 8 February 22

Walls: Get to know the 20 lieux-dits of Hermitage

Everything you need to know about the complexities of Hermitage...

By Matt Walls Published 25 January 22
Southern Rhône 2020: full report and top scoring wines

Despite a hot year, wines are fresh and accessible when young with whites particularly exceptional.

By Matt Walls Last updated 17 January 22
Producer profile: Château-Grillet

One of those memorable names that leaps out when you’re poring over wine maps...

By Matt Walls Published 13 January 22
Walls’ hidden gems: Domaine A&E Verset, Cornas

Matt Walls meets sixth-generation winemaker Emmanuelle Verset and tastes six of her wines...

By Matt Walls Published 11 January 22
Rhône 2020: best-value wines

Matt Walls rounds up the value Rhône picks from his 2020 report...

By Matt Walls Last updated 5 January 22
Walls: Brézème and Seyssuel – sleeping beauties of the Northern Rhône

Discover the small, previously dominant areas of Brézème and Seyssuel...

By Matt Walls Published 2 January 22

Walls: Tasting five vintages of Domaine Gonon St-Joseph

The rise of St-Joseph's Domaine Gonon...

By Matt Walls Published 28 December 21
Rhône 2020 En Primeur: full vintage report and top-scoring wines

Expert verdict plus the top-scoring bottles...

By Matt Walls Last updated 20 December 21
St-Joseph 2020: report and top-scoring wines

Matt Walls discovers great value and early-drinking capacity for the 2020s...

By Matt Walls Last updated 20 December 21
Cornas & St-Péray 2020: report and top-scoring wines

2020 marks a return to a more focused, classic style...

By Matt Walls Last updated 20 December 21
Walls: My top 10 Rhône wines of 2021

Sometimes atypicity, combined with charisma and personality, is what makes a wine stand out..

By Matt Walls Last updated 16 December 21
Hermitage 2020: report and top-scoring wines

Impressive balance, precision and structure across both red and white Hermitage in 2020...

By Matt Walls Last updated 15 December 21

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