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Matt Walls

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Decanter's Rhône correspondent, 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.

Cornas & St-Péray 2020: report and top-scoring wines

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

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
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020: report and top-scoring wines

Choose carefully when buying Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020 wines...

By Matt Walls Published 15 December 21
Lirac & Tavel 2020: report and top-scoring wines

2020 is a great year to get to know Lirac and Tavel wines...

By Matt Walls Published 15 December 21
Rasteau, Cairanne & Vinsobres 2020: report and top-scoring wines

Careful research into the best estates will be rewarded ...

By Matt Walls Published 15 December 21
Gigondas, Vacqueyras & Beaumes de Venise 2020: report and top-scoring wines

Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise 2020 are good for early drinking...

By Matt Walls Published 15 December 21

Decanter at Home masterclass: Tasting the La Las with Philippe Guigal

The three LaLas tasted from 2017, 2016 and 2012...

By Matt Walls Published 15 December 21
Northern Rhône 2020: full report and top-scoring wines

Fresh but slightly less ageworthy wines. Look out for both reds and whites...

By Matt Walls Last updated 10 December 21
Côte-Rôtie & Condrieu 2020: report and top-scoring wines

Drink these fairly young and save the 2019s for long-term ageing...

By Matt Walls Last updated 10 December 21
Walls: Tasting Hermitage 2001 20 years on

Twenty years is a long time to wait, so is it worth it?

By Matt Walls Published 23 November 21
Walls’ hidden gems: Clos de la Bonnette, Condrieu

Matt Walls questions whether we could be witnessing the birth of a great estate...

By Matt Walls Published 9 November 21
Cornas to drink now: Matt Walls’ top 20

20 top recommendations

By Matt Walls Published 4 November 21

Guigal to launch fourth ‘La La’ Côte-Rôtie

The wine, made from pure Syrah, will be called La Reynarde. It is named after Le Reynard, the stream that runs between lieux-dits Côte Brune and Côte Blonde.

By Matt Walls Published 3 November 21
Walls: 10 exciting estates to know in Cornas

Matt Walls selects 10 estates to know in Cornas which showcase ageworthy, powerful Syrah.

By Matt Walls Published 26 October 21
Walls: top picks from Yapp’s Big Rhône Tasting

Rhône wines under £20, under £40 and over £40...

By Matt Walls Last updated 12 October 21
Cin City – London’s first comprehensive Cinsault tasting

Cinsault’s star has finally risen says Matt Walls

By Matt Walls Last updated 28 September 21
Domaine Clape: Cornas vertical tasting from 2017 – 1987

The rare chance to taste 13 Cornas bottlings...

By Matt Walls Last updated 27 September 21
Walls: Brune and blonde soils in Côte-Rôtie – do they really make all the difference?

Looking at the two different soil types and how they influence wine style, longevity and quality...

By Matt Walls Last updated 27 September 21

Rhône producer to know: Domaine Gramenon, Vinsobres

One of the greatest, most soulful estates of the Rhône Valley...

By Matt Walls Published 28 August 21
Walls: exploring the three Vs of the Southern Rhône

Elegance with an easy-going drinkability...

By Matt Walls Last updated 24 August 21
Cornas 2018 in bottle: full overview plus top-scoring wines

The 2018s are succulent, juicy and fresh and are easy to enjoy...

By Matt Walls Published 10 August 21
Walls’ hidden gems: Moulin de la Gardette, Gigondas

Matt Walls uncovers organic, Gigondas-based producer Moulin de la Gardette and tastes eight of its wines.

By Matt Walls Last updated 27 July 21
Rhône producer to know: Domaine Chaume-Arnaud, Vinsobres

Drinkable and age-worthy wines worth seeking out...

By Matt Walls Published 18 July 21
Southern Rhône white wines: how do they compare?

There is fascinating diversity among the Southern Rhône's white wines despite only making up 4% of production

By Matt Walls Last updated 16 July 21