Matthew Stubbs MW achieved the Grasp of Wine title in 1996, incomes the Bollinger Medal for the perfect tasting paper. Since then, his contributions to the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) has been invaluable, serving as a sensible examiner, seminar lecturer, and at the moment as the sensible Chair for the IMW Schooling Committee.
With over 30 years of expertise within the wine trade, Stubbs has labored throughout various areas, together with importing, distributing and retail. He based Vinécole, a wine schooling firm working in each the UK and France, that provides important certification programmes and conjures up people worldwide.
Stubbs can be an energetic author and has contributed to esteemed publications such because the Oxford Companion to Wine and the World Atlas of Wine.
We’re delighted to welcome Stubbs as the brand new joint Regional Chair for Bordeaux (alongside Alun Griffiths MW) at Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025. Forward of judging this Could – and with entries open now till 18 March – we get to know extra about Stubbs, his wine journey and his suggestions about areas and grape varieties to discover.
Inform us about your self. What does a typical day appear like?
I’ve been within the wine trade for 38 years, labored in lots of areas of the commerce from importing wine to working a big grocery store wine division. I now work 100% in wine schooling with a wine faculty in France and a wine schooling enterprise primarily based from the UK. I don’t actually have a typical day however my life revolves round a mix of on-line and head to head programs, tutorials and seminars which take me everywhere in the world.
What sparked your curiosity in wine?
My late father-in-law who was the Monetary Director of a wine firm.After I first met my spouse and went to her home her father was at all times opening wine. I used to be at all times curious and asking him questions although I didn’t know something about wine on the time. At some point, he poured a rigorously decanted wine in my glass and I used to be instantly blown away by the fabulous flavours. I may sense there was one thing particular about it. The wine turned out to be Château Gruaud Larose 1982. That was it, I used to be hooked.
What’s the most useful lesson you’ve realized within the wine trade thus far?
That you simply by no means cease studying. We expect we all know so much however in actuality there may be at all times nonetheless a lot extra to find.
Which wine producing area or varieties would you encourage individuals to discover extra of?
South West France. 130 totally different grape varieties in a single area, to not point out thrilling names corresponding to Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh or Irouléguy. An actual symphonic array of quirky varieties. Petit Manseng, Ondenc, Fer Servadou, Prunelard, Tannat, Abouriou. The record goes on.
What do you discover thrilling within the wine world proper now?
That there’s nonetheless a need for individuals to enter the wine world, deliver their very own concepts and approaches and make it an excellent higher place. Take a look at the dynamic wine scene in Germany or equally the pace of change in Argentina and South Africa. It could be a difficult atmosphere for the class in the mean time however I’m very optimistic about the way forward for wine.
What are your favorite Bordeaux vintages and why?
Clearly 1982 is true up there because it was answerable for beginning my love of wine and my profession within the wine commerce. Extra inexpensive is 1996, though not one of many high vintages however I like the traditional type, and the Left Financial institution wines particularly have held up very effectively. 2009 for the opulence and nice approachability now. 2019 is clearly wanting unbelievable and I want I had purchased extra.
What’s an attention-grabbing reality about wines from Bordeaux?
That it’s a wine area that lies on the magic forty fifth Parallel together with Willamette Valley, Northern Rhône and Piemonte.
What recommendation do you’ve for DWWA entrants that don’t win a medal?
Discover out why and check out once more.
