Matthew's World of Wine and Drink

Vodka is the most widely drunk spirit globally, popular because of its clean, neutral taste. The spirit goes back centuries, changing due to fashion and technology. This episode focuses on how vodka is made and how to make sense of a drink that is so deliberately flavourless.

Calvados is the great apple-based spirit of Normandy, where it's too cold to grow grapes but perfect for apples as well as pears. Across Europe, there's a long tradition of fruit-based spirits, which this episode explores.

Grapes are used to make a wide range of spirits. This episode focuses on Armagnac from south-west France, Spanish brandy, pisco - controversially from both Peru and Chile - and grappa.

Cognac is the great spirit of France. Located near Bordeaux, it benefited from access to trade routes to become drunk around the world. This episode how cognac is made and what it tastes like.

Japan produces some of the best whisky in the world, made with an attention to detail bar none. In this episode, I also taste three whiskies - from Scotland, the US, and Japan.

The long, controversial history of Bourbon and US whiskey in general permeates the country's culture. This episode explores how the whiskeys are made, what they taste like, and the differences in style. Not forgetting Canadian whiskey - the biggest selling style in the US since the Civil War.

Irish Whiskey was the most drunk whiskey in the world back in the nineteenth century, but production declined sharply in the nineteenth century. Things are looking up again - find out about the trends and styles of Irish whiskey in this episode.

Scottish whiskey is perhaps the most famous in the world, aged for long periods of time in oak barrels and reflecting the different regions they come from.

The first episode of a new series on the world of spirits, beginning by looking at exactly how they are made - from the raw material to fermentation to distillation to ageing and finishing.

Jura is the smallest of France's wine regions, but one that is very fashionable due to its unique styles of wine. It also provides a great alternative to nearby Burgundy, another reason people are so attracted to it.