Matthew's World of Wine and Drink

South Australia accounts for 50% of Australian wine production, and includes some of the country's most historic and important regions: Barossa, Eden, and Clare Valleys, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra. Quality is high, although there's also a lot of basic multi-regional blends as well. This episode explores the different areas, styles, and quality levels of wine made in this great wine region.

Back in the nineteenth century, Victoria was the most important state for wine production. Phylloxera hurt the industry badly, but it's now re-emerging as one of Australia's most significant and diverse regions. This episode looks at the many different styles of wine made in Victoria, as well as the island of Tasmania which is the focus for new trends in Australian wine.

Australia is a young country, but a lot has happened in its wine industry over the last 200 years. This episode looks at the developments in Australian wine, the challenges the industry faces, as well as its most unusual wine region, Hunter Valley.

This episode explores South Africa's varied wine regions, emphasising how important regionality is to promoting the country's identity internationally.

South Africa has a long history of wine production, although it's only in the last twenty-five years, after a very difficult twentieth-century, that it has emerged as an important player in the international wine scene. This episode explores the country's wine history, as well as two of its most important grapes, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage.

Washington State is the second-largest producer of wine in the US after California. Its history is still very modern, but its industry is vibrant and full of potential. This episode explores the climate, regions, and grape varieties of the state.

Forty years ago, Oregon was a remote state few people knew about. Now it's one of the most famous Pinot Noir producing regions in the world. How did this radical change happen? And is there more to Oregon than Pinot Noir?

Focusing on California's wine regions, from high-quality coastal areas to hot Central Valley to high elevation Sierra Foothills.

Looking at some of the major grape varieties planted in California which have reflected changing trends in the wine industry and consumer habits: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

The history of US wine goes back to the Puritans landing in 1620. But attempts at winemaking were often hit by both natural and human forces. Since the 1970s, though, the USA has emerged as the fourth largest producer of wine in the world, with California central for both quantity and quality. This episode looks at how California in particular got to where it is today.