DR MATTHEW HORKEY

Niepoort – A Port Wine Maestro

by DR MATTHEW HORKEY - January 19, 2021January 19, 2021

Reading Time: "We opened this special bottle last night and thought it would be great to share it with you," Dirk Niepoort said. "The base of this wine is from the mid-1800s." I've tasted wines several times with Dirk and he's always generous. If you're lucky enough to sit down

A Journey Through Moldova in 15 Wines

Moldovan Wine

by DR MATTHEW HORKEY - January 12, 2021January 13, 2021

Reading Time: Here's an article that's long overdue. It's a recap of a weeklong sprint through Moldova back in 2019. It was one of my favorite memories of that year and gives me hope that travel opens up again this year. Here's a journey through Moldova in 15 wines. Moldovan

Avignonesi: A Vintage Comparison of Vino Nobile

by DR MATTHEW HORKEY - January 5, 2021January 5, 2021

Reading Time: How many times must I proclaim my love for Sangiovese? The grape is undoubtedly best in its home of Tuscany. There are many appellations that are dedicated to Sangiovese including the famous Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino. Sandwiched in between both of these is the DOCG of

2020 Rewind

by DR MATTHEW HORKEY - December 27, 2020December 30, 2020

Reading Time: For better or worse, 2020 is a year all of us will ever forget. This last year saw the fear of one singular thing affect the entire world. My life was deeply altered, like countless others around the world. That's not to say everything was terrible, I have

Esu Carbonia, ‘Nero Miniera’ Carignano del Sulcis

by DR MATTHEW HORKEY - December 22, 2020January 13, 2021

Esu Carbonia Miniera Sardegna Carignano Sulcis

Reading Time: Carignan was at one time, one of the most planted red grapes in the world. This underappreciated variety is mostly associated with the south of France and Spain (its homeland) where it's often blended. In recent years, varietal examples from Chile have gotten some press. Still, my heart

Alpha Estate: Greek Wine With Style

by DR MATTHEW HORKEY - December 19, 2020December 21, 2020

Reading Time: Over ten years ago, I had my first Greek wine, an Alpha Estate, 'Hedgehog' Xinomavro. It captivated my palate back then and started my Greek wine journey. Greece has a long history of production, dating back to at least 2000 BC. In the 20th century, the wines weren't

Capezzana Carmignano – The Original Super Tuscan?

by DR MATTHEW HORKEY - December 9, 2020December 9, 2020

capezzana carmignano sangiovese cabernet sauvignon tuscany

Reading Time: I love Sangiovese, period... It doesn't matter if the wine stands on its own or if it's a part of a blend. From the gorgeous Chianti Classicos that are blended with other local grapes or French grapes to the powerful, pure examples from Montalcino, it's a grape that my

Torre Bisenzio

by DR MATTHEW HORKEY - December 1, 2020December 1, 2020

Reading Time: It's no surprise that we love Italian wine, from all parts of the country. In recent years, I've traveled to some lesser-known parts of Italian wine country including Valle d'Aosta, Puglia, and Sardegna. However, outside of Montefalco Sagrantino, Umbria still remains a blind spot on my radar. When

Il Conventino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

by DR MATTHEW HORKEY - November 25, 2020December 1, 2020

Reading Time: Some grapes just speak to you. For me, that grape is Sangiovese. I love it in all forms, especially in its spiritual home of Tuscany. This 'blood of Jupiter' (where the name Sangiovese originates from) creates the great wines of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and is included in

Quinta Varzea da Pedra

by DR MATTHEW HORKEY - November 17, 2020November 18, 2020

Reading Time: Quinta Varzea da Pedra is one of my favorite discoveries of 2020. Every year, I taste thousands of wines from all over the world. A handful of those wines have that special something, a twinkle in the eye. That's what drew me to Quinta Varzea da Pedra. Quinta