Matt Walls

3 weeks ago | decanter.com | Matt Walls

When it comes to extreme vintages, I’m pretty circumspect. I was never a great fan of wines from 2003, which was an exceptionally hot and dry year. But a recent tasting of 50 2022 St-Josephs painted a picture of a surprisingly strong vintage despite an even more severe growing season than 2003. In 2003, winemakers didn’t know how to react to the extreme heat. But 2022 came after a succession of roasting years, during which winemakers honed their methods. This time, they were ready.

1 month ago | decanter.com | Matt Walls

The cost of the ambitious Château de Beaucastel cellar project was €12m (£10m), and an inauguration date of 21 May 2025 has been set. The intention was to extend the winery in readiness for greater capacity in the coming years, but they have used the opportunity to harness the elements – earth, air, sun and water – to greatly reduce their water and energy needs. To achieve this, they employed a range of ancient and modern methods.

1 month ago | decanter.com | Matt Walls

As you drive south from the northern Rhône, you won’t see a sign saying ‘Welcome to the southern Rhône’. There’s no need – you know when you’ve arrived thanks to the sudden prevalence of olive trees. Olives and olive oil are a cornerstone of Provençal cuisine, particularly in the village of Nyons.

1 month ago | decanter.com | Matt Walls

Glossaries are normally published at the backs of books. This makes sense: it would be a tedious way to begin any story. But when talking about the 2024 vintage in the Rhône, it might be useful to start with a list of viticultural diseases and their effects. Because in 2024 the Rhône faced a barrage of problems. When I met with Maxime Chapoutier to taste his 2024 Sélections Parcellaires on 19 March in London, he told me that it was the toughest growing season he’s ever witnessed.

2 months ago | decanter.com | Matt Walls

Did you know there is a website where you can compare the average prices of vineyard land across France? Here are some examples, per hectare of vines in 2023:Touraine, Loire: €7,000 (£5,880)Côtes du Rhône: €23,000 (£19,315)Gigondas, Rhône: €215,000 (£180,530)Côte d’Or, Burgundy: €983,800 (£826,080)Pomerol, Bordeaux: €2,000,000 (£1,679,420)The website is published by a French government agency called SAFER, whose job it is to regulate land prices in rural areas.