ITV Goes for Wine Series with Matthew Goode & Matthew Rhys

LONDON: ITV has acquired an exclusive series from Infinity Creative Media, The Wine Show, to be hosted by actors Matthew Goode and Matthew Rhys.

The Wine Show will look on as the two presenters spotlight various types of wine from around the world. The pair will be joined by wine experts Joe Fattorini and Amelia Singer, and U.S. food expert Gizzi Erskine. The 13×60-minute series is due to debut on ITV and ITV4 in the U.K. this spring. Sky Vision has signed on to handle international sales for the program, which will be presented to international buyers at this year’s MIPTV.

Angela Jain, ITV’s director of digital channels and acquisitions, said: “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. This show is for wine novices, wine drinkers and wine enthusiasts and we are thrilled to bits to have it.”

Russ Lindsay, founder and director of Infinity Creative Media, noted: “Wine has now transcended culture, class and background and is a part of the lives of millions. The Wine Show is a cultural journey across the world, which is informative, visually entertaining, humorous, engaging and surprising. We are thrilled that ITV have given us the most wonderful home for our series in the U.K.”

Barnaby Shingleton, the director of factual and entertainment at Sky Vision, stated: “The combination of delicious wine, fabulous travel and top Hollywood talent in Matthew Goode and Matthew Rhys is going to be hugely appealing to viewers across the globe. Infinity Media has produced a beautiful and aspirational series which will appeal both to wine connoisseurs and to those who simply enjoy a relaxing glass of merlot in front of the TV at the weekend. So pour yourself a glass, sit back and enjoy!”

Goode commented: “My late father elicited my interest in wine, bless him, and it has become a life-long love affair! Matthew Rhys and I had so much fun pootling around Italy garnering more and more information on this sensational liquid…. Actually, the word ‘fun’ doesn’t even really come close. We are all very proud of the show, it’s funny, moving, informative, and Matthew Rhys runs Father Christmas very close on the world’s greatest beard. Mostly though, the series is about wine through and through, and there’s not an ounce of snobbishness, thank goodness.”

Rhys remarked: “I’d never tasted wine before this show, my father always locked it in a cupboard marked ‘Illicit’. As a new fan of wine, I couldn’t endorse it more, it makes any situation fun, although I still have no idea how it’s made. This show will help you buy better, especially for high days, holidays and Christmas, and the beard was fake so that the local Italian vintners didn’t think me to be Oz Clarke! I dare anyone to watch this show and not fall in love with Matthew Goode and wine…in that order.”

Singer said: “I feel extremely excited and privileged to be part of a production that is creating authentic, stimulating and entertaining television. The Wine Show revolutionizes the way wines can be discovered and enjoyed—for people of all ages and all stages of wine knowledge.”

Fattorini noted: “Being part of The Wine Show is a dream come true. Wine is about so much more than what’s in your glass. It’s about the people who make it and the beautiful places it’s grown. It’s magical to meet passionate winemakers and grape growers and visit places you normally only read about in books or magazine articles.”

Melanie Jappy, the director of programs for Infinity Creative Media, stated: “We couldn’t make a show about wine and not talk about food. We’re incredibly proud that so many world-class chefs shared their personal wine stories with us. Every recipe is perfectly paired and a visual treat.”

Infinity Creative Media is also working with Amazon.co.uk to give viewers the chance to buy a selection of the wines featured in the series. “Inspired by The Wine Show, viewers can now try the very bottles featured in the series for themselves and see if they agree with Matthew and Matthew’s opinions,” added Theunis Scheepers, Beer, Wine and Spirits Store, Amazon.co.uk. “It’s a great opportunity to discover some new favorites from the thousands of wines we offer from all over the world.”