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Matt Walls: Reflections on 2025 and his favourite Rhône wines of the year

In his final column of the year, Matt Walls weighs up the highs and lows of 2025, winemakers lost, new faces gained and the wines that have stayed with him the most.

Last year’s calendar goes in the bin; this year’s, freshly peeled from its cellophane wrapper, is fixed to the wall.

The reassuring customs of Christmas and New Year lend a steadying hand through this time of endings and new beginnings.

One tradition I like to keep is counting down my top 10 wines of the year. The most memorable wines, those that have moved me, those that have made the greatest impression. Counting my blessings.

This year the process brought some painful recent closures into focus. But it also flagged up hopeful new beginnings.


Matt’s favourite Rhône wines of 2025


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