An Englishman in California soaking up the sun, I am a WSET Diploma graduate and Certified WSET Educator. I blog about wine, teach it at all levels, and drink plenty of it. Follow me on twitter @mattswineworld or check out my website: matthewsworldofwineanddrink.com
174 Available Episodes (174 Total)Average duration: 00:19:57
Apr 06, 2023
Portuguese Grape Varieties
00:22:15
250 indigenous varieties plus a handful of international; different names for the same variety, named after animals, people, and often hard to pronounce; field blends in a small, fractured vineyard ownership; maritime and continental climates: for such a small country, Portuguese wine is hard to pin down, but an understanding of the varieties helps. Here's an overview of some of the major white and black varieties and the regions they're grown in to gain a sense of Portuguese wine.
Mar 20, 2023
Austrian Grape Varieties
00:25:43
This episode explores some of the 40 grape varieties approved in Austria, including the classics such as Grüner Veltliner, Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent, and Zweigelt, lesser-known but historic varieties such as Welschriesling and Rotgipfler, and international varieties Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir.
Mar 12, 2023
Scarce and Wild Italian Grape Varieties
00:33:46
Conversation with Sheila Donohue of Vero Vino, who specialise in importing "scarce and wild" Italian grape varieties. We discuss four lesser known—or completely unknown—varieties local to their regions : Schioppetino, Boschera, Famoso, and Durella. Expect lots of acid talk!
Feb 23, 2023
The Identity of Cava
00:52:36
Interview with three Cava producers on its identity and what makes the sparkling wine different from others: place, grape varieties, ageing, and its history. Cava has introduced labelling terms and regional designations which allow producers to talk about exactly where the wines come from than before. Interviewees: José Maria of Vins Familia Ferrer, Mereia Pujol-Busquets of Alta Alella, and Marta Casas of Parés Baltà.
Feb 13, 2023
Trip to Australia
00:22:48
Just back from a two-week trip to Australia where I visited the wine regions of Tasmania, Adelaide Hills, and McLaren Vale. The former two are relatively young with lots of development over the last three decades; they're also cool climate with fantastic sparkling wine. McLaren Vale is more historic, but also with lots of changes since the 1990s.
Jan 08, 2023
Old World v New World
00:21:55
What's the difference between an Old and a New World Wine? Is there a differerence? This episode explores what the terms mean, whether we should use them, and how they can be an easy way into describing the wines of a prominent country? What the episode does not answer is whether England is New World or Old World!
Dec 15, 2022
Southern Italy Black Grape Varieties
00:18:14
There are many historic grape varieties from southern Italy, which are deservedly regaining attention. This episode looks at some of the black grape varieties across southern Italy, as well as Sicily and Sardinia: Agliancio, Negroamaro, Primitivo, Gaglioppo, Nero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese, and others.
Dec 05, 2022
Malvasia
00:23:03
Malvasia isn't a grape variety, nor is it a family of grape varieties: it's a group of grape varieties which happen to have the same name. Some of them are related, some of them are not. Every style of wine is made, from white to rosé to red to sweet to fortified to sparkling. Welcome to the strange world of Malvasia!
Nov 28, 2022
Muscat
00:16:50
Muscat isn't a grape variety, but a family of related varieties all with different features. There are also many styles of wine made from the Muscat family: dry, sweet, fortified, and sparkling, made all over the world. This episode explores all the different aspects of the styles of wine made from the Muscat family.
Oct 25, 2022
The Unique Grape Varieties of South America: Interview with Amanda Barnes
00:43:16
Interview with Amanda Barnes, author of The South America Wine Guide. We discuss grape varieties which are largely only found in the diverse continent: País/Criolla Chica, Torrontés, Vischoqueña, Quebranca, and others. A great insight into the wines of South America, not just Argentina and Chile, but Bolivia and Peru too.
Apr 06 | 00:22:15
Portuguese Grape Varieties
Mar 20 | 00:25:43
Austrian Grape Varieties
Mar 12 | 00:33:46
Scarce and Wild Italian Grape Varieties
Feb 23 | 00:52:36
The Identity of Cava
Feb 13 | 00:22:48
Trip to Australia
Jan 08 | 00:21:55
Old World v New World
Dec 15 | 00:18:14
Southern Italy Black Grape Varieties
Dec 05 | 00:23:03
Malvasia
Nov 28 | 00:16:50
Muscat
Oct 25 | 00:43:16
The Unique Grape Varieties of South America: Interview with Amanda Barnes
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