Meet the wine world's leading experts nose to nose!

Matt Skinner

Aged 18, fresh out of school and with little more than surfing on his mind, Matt landed a job at his local wine shop in order to make ends meet. Little did he know that he'd soon discover an insatiable passion and fascination for wine that would eventually see him writing about it, teaching it - and a decade later - becoming an internationally recognised wine expert.

Matt has both a refreshing take on the industry and a knack for making wine simple. His first book Thirsty Work sold into a staggering 14 countries and was translated into 9 foreign languages. It was awarded 'Best Educational Wine Book - UK' at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, and together with Matt's second book The Juice 2006 - 100 Wines you should be drinking, featured on the Christmas bestsellers list. The Juice was so successful it has become a yearly publication and Matt is currently finishing the 2009 edition for publication this October.

Over the past two years he has put pen to paper for publications including Conde Nast Traveller, Red Magazine, The Guardian and Amazon.com. Matt now has a regular column in Waitrose Food Illustrated.

Matt has also appeared as a regular guest on ITV's Saturday Cooks, Daily Cooks, UK Food's Great Food Live & Food Uncut.

Far from resting on his laurels, 2008 sees two new books - The Juice 2009 and Heard It Through The Grapevine, his follow up to Thirsty Work.