ITV’s The Wine Show wins rave reviews

The Wine Show has received a big thumbs up from the wine trade and general viewers alike as it doubled ITV4’s audience share in its first episode.

L-R: Joe Fattorini, Amelia Singer, Matthew Goode and Matthew Rhys of The Wine Show (Photo: ITV)

The show stars actors Matthew Goode and Matthew Rhys, who aim to “provide a fresh, informative and entertaining journey into wine”.

The first episode of the 13-part series, which aired on ITV4 last night, proved a resounding success, with scores of viewers registering their approval on Twitter.

Fronted by Goode and Rhys, The Wine Show also features expert wine contributors Joe Fattorini and Amelia Singer.

In the hour-long show, from their base in a picturesque villa in the Umbrian countryside in Italy, Goode and Rhys are set challenges that see them explore different parts of Italy to discover the country’s wines.

In the first episode of the show, the hosts headed to Tuscany for a barrel race, while wine expert Joe Fattorini visited South Africa’s Klein Constantia to pick up some Vin de Constance.

Meanwhile chef Brad McDonald from The Lockhart in London spoke about his love of Burgundy. There were also guides to Montepulciano in Tuscany and to winemaking in Margaux and the Clare Valley.

Many viewers expressed their approval on Twitter complimenting the show for its lush presentation and for striking the right tone between accessibility and insight.

One reviewer in the Guardian said that the show was like “Top Gear for booze”, adding that he had watched it “specifically to hate it”, and that the fact that he couldn’t had made him “almost irreversibly furious”.

Great to see we doubled the audience share on @itv4 last night … Now for @ITV 4.25pm on Saturday 16th pic.twitter.com/qvfJyWpeeX

— The Wine Show (@WineShowTV) April 11, 2016

Gorgeous new wine show starting on ITV4 right now.

— Grace Dent (@gracedent) April 10, 2016

Congrats to all @WineShowTV – very impressed with last night’s first episode, got the tone just right. cc @joefattorini @amelias_wine

— Richard Hemming (@RichardHemming) April 11, 2016

Just watched @WineshowTV on ITV4. V well done. Pitched just right, informative + entertaining. Wine gets a TV show worth watching.

— Neal Martin (@nealmartin) April 10, 2016

Just LOVE @WineShowTV on ITV4 beautifully made, doesn’t takes itself to seriously, but great fun and really informative & looks stunning! 🍷

— Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) April 10, 2016

Great to see wine back on the TV @WineShowTV

— Josh Donaghay-Spire (@JoshDSpire) April 10, 2016

The Wine Show was acquired for ITV and ITV4 by Angela Jain, director of digital channels and acquisitions.

“The show is a joyful romp through wonderful landscapes, tasting great wine, enjoying fantastic food and all in the company of our charming, witty and vivacious hosts, the two Matthews,” Jain said in the run-up to the series. 

“This show is for wine novices, wine drinkers and wine enthusiasts and we are thrilled to bits to have it.”

The second episode of The Wine Show airs on ITV4 on Sunday 17 April at 6.55pm.