English professional golfer Matt Wallace shares his passion for wine, which ignited during a unique pro-am tournament. At Château Montrose in 2018, Wallace was paid in wine instead of cash, allowing him to taste various vintages. This experience sparked a curiosity about the complexities of wine from the same vineyard.
Wallace and his fiancée, Emily Thomas, have a wine cellar at home that maintains optimal temperature and humidity. He currently has over 250 bottles, primarily featuring Bordeaux, with selections from Burgundy, Italy, Spain, and some notable American wines. For purchasing, he favors Lay & Wheeler but uses Wine-Searcher for individual bottles.
His favorite supermarket wine is Guidalberto, the second wine from Sassicaia, praised for its accessibility and value, along with Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, although Wallace admits to a preference for oaky Chardonnays. For a cozy night in, he enjoys Château Pontet-Canet or Calon Ségur paired with charcuterie.
Wallace’s ultimate food and wine pairing is ribeye steak, cooked medium rare, with Château Margaux, which he describes as a perfect match due to its elegance and boldness. His favorite restaurant is Dorian in West London, known for its remarkable steaks and wine list. On a recent visit, he indulged in ribeye alongside a bold US wine, Fortunate Son, The Warrior.
For dinner parties, he often prepares mushroom and truffle risotto paired with a rich, oaky Chardonnay, such as Marcassin from Sonoma Coast. On special occasions, he would opt for three specific wines: Château Lafite Rothschild 1990 (his birth year), Vega Sicilia Único 2010, and Sassicaia 1985, which he considers to be the pinnacle of his wish list.
His most memorable tasting moment was enjoying a Romanée-St. Vivant 2005 from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti during a gathering with his friend, a heart surgeon and wine mentor. They shared a flight of Petrus wines, marking a significant moment in his wine journey. Celebrating a win with his family over a bottle of Mouton Rothschild 2010 remains a cherished memory.
One wine he longs to try is Le Pin from Pomerol, which he has yet to encounter. Wallace frequently travels to wine regions, having enjoyed visits to Guado al Tasso in Italy and multiple excursions to Bordeaux. He also praises the exceptional dining experience at The French Laundry in Napa Valley, particularly noting Chef Thomas Keller’s connection to the sport of golf.