Matthew's World of Wine and Drink

In the second episode focusing on Greek wine with importer Dionysi Grevenitis, we discuss the country's white wines. Following on from the first episode's focus on Assyrtiko, the conversation moves to Malagousia, Moschofilero, and Robola and the huge variety of white wine made in Greece.

Greece's wine history goes back thousands of years but it's only over the last 40 years that the industry has got back on track, with the production of outstanding white wine as well as very good red, from both indigenous and international varieties. I interview Dionysi Grevenitis, who has imported Greek wines for the last decade as the country has improved its international reputation. We talk about where Greek wine has developed in that time, as well as Greece's great white variety: Assyrtiko.

The third and final episode of my interview with Jérôme Hainz of www.bottlestops.com continues to focus on changes in German wine, in this instance the effect of climate change, the rise of organic and biodynamic practices, and how all this is affecting styles of wine in Germany.

Germany is most famous for Riesling - and rightly so - but there's a lot more to the country than just Riesling. This second part of my interview with Jérôme Hainz of BottleStops (www.bottlestops.com) focuses on other styles and grape varieties: Sekt and rosé, both of which have greatly increased in quality in recent years, as well as Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Sylvaner, and Trollinger to name a few ...

First of a three-part series focusing on Germany, with the help of with of Jérôme Hainz of BottleStops (www.bottlestops.com) who runs a tour company in German wine country. As travel is difficult right now, the next best thing is to get news from the source! This episode focuses on how German wine has changed in the last twenty years or so, developing from a reputation for inexpensive sweet wines to having some of the greatest whites in the world. Also looking at the future of German wine, the episode provides a great insight into what's happening in Germany right now.

Introducing my new online wine club, blackpoolmatt's wine club - what it's about, the different options, and why you should join!

Wine is made in every state in the USA: this episode focuses on the lesser known but states that have potential to make interesting wine - Virginia, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Idaho. All states figuring out which varieties work best in which locations, and all worth keeping an eye on.

New York State is becoming more and more associated with quality winemaking, even if hybrids still dominate plantings. It has an extreme climate: inland it's cool continental, while on Long Island it's maritime with hurricanes a hazard. However, ambitious producers are learning to work with the conditions to produce extremely interesting wines from Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Gamay. Definitely a wine region to keep an eye on.

Central Valley is the agricultural heart of California, home to Gallo, the world's biggest winery. There are, however, pockets where quality wine is made, such as the increasingly interesting Lodi. The Sierra Foothills are where California's modern history begins, with the 1849 Gold Rush. As in Lodi, there's plenty of old-vine Zin but particularly exciting are wines made from Mediterranean varieties such as Mourvèdre. These are definitely regions to look out for in the future.

Although not as famous as Napa Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains and surrounding AVAs have a lineage just as long and prestigious, although neighbouring urbanisation has hindered development. To the south are regions with a more recent history such as Paso Robles and Santa Barbara. This episode looks at the huge variety of styles of wine produced south of San Francisco nearly all the way to Los Angeles - exciting, diverse, and often high quality regions.