Master of Wine Student – Interview With Matteo Girardi

The world of wine can be incredibly fun and engaging, but sometimes it can be overly complex, and it’s down to skillful and passionate educators like Matteo Girardi to help share the world of wine with those excited to learn.

In this feature, we take a moment to speak with Matteo Girardi, located in Italy. Let’s find out a bit about his life, a very interesting part of being a wine educator, some of his favourite wine regions to explore and what inspired him to start his journey of becoming a Master of Wine

Tell Us About Yourself & How You Became Involved In The Wine Industry?

“Wine has always been part of my life, I could say that my father was one of the first wine tourists, in fact back in the 80′ he used to go to Valpolicella to taste Recioto in various wineries. My mother used to say, “Water doesn’t go down at all for me, while wine has no problem” And she was over 80 years old (at 86 when she had surgery, she had a small carafe of wine on her bedside table for her lunches). So you could say that wine is in my DNA. 😊

I worked for many years in the restaurant industry (while having a degree in Computer Science) and then one day a client of mine said: Why don’t you do a WSET course on wine? So I went to Barcelona, London, and Paris for the first three levels (WSET was not yet present in Italy) and for the Diploma in London.”

Do You Remember Your First Experience With Sparkling Wine? When It Was And What Kind Of Wine It Was?

“I honestly don’t remember this, but thanks to WSET courses, I have tasted sparkling wines from different wine regions of the world! I remember the first time I tasted a Sparkling Shiraz from Australia! A wine completely different from anything I had tasted up to that time. And the first time I tasted wines from Tasmania, incredible!!!”

You’ve Earned The DipWSET And Are Going For A MW, What Inspired You To Begin Your Journey Towards Becoming A Master Of Wine?

“I was accepted to the program, but I postponed it until next year because in these two years (post covid) I had another baby, and we bought a house. It was not the right time to start it😊. This year I think is a good year to start. What prompted me to attempt the exam to enter MW is the desire to learn more and to be able to pass on all I know to my students.”

During Your Time As A Wine Educator, What’s The Most Surprising & Interesting Thing You’ve Learnt?

“That knowledge of wine is always an exchange! Since it is impossible to know all aspects of this wonderful world, whenever one of my students asks me a question, I don’t always know the answer and I have to go and document myself to be able to answer. Sometimes I have oenologists as my students, and I, having never made wine, have my doubts, but thanks to the WSET Diploma (which gives you a nice all-around preparation on the world of wine) I know what they are talking about and together we arrive at the answer.”

What Sparkling Wine Producing Countries or Regions Hold A Special Place In Your Heart?

“Well, certainly Champagne is the region that has a special place for me! Hard to find a Champagne that is not good, although I, personally, prefer it when they do not spend too much time on the lees, I like to feel the bubbles still lively and also the fruit if present. In a way better, because this leads me to save money on the purchase” 😊

Can You Share With Us One Of The Most Memorable Experiences You’ve Enjoyed With A Glass of Bubbly?

“Definitely at the party I had in Sicily at my brother’s house to celebrate my wonderful 50th birthday! Champagne and Franciacorta accompanied me in the sixth ‘decade'” 😊

Thank you Matteo, for sharing your story and experiences with us and we at Glass of Bubbly wish you the very best for the future!

Images belong to Matteo Girardi. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use them.