Wojciech Bońkowski MW
@bonkowskimw.bsky.social
Poland’s first Master of Wine
Also into fine food, tea, 19th-century music, and travelling to the end of the world.
Also into fine food, tea, 19th-century music, and travelling to the end of the world.
Exciting tasting of Bulgarian 🇧🇬 wines yesterday at Ferment Wine Academy.
The progress this country has made is remarkable. Great value across the range + very contemporary styles, from Burgundian Pamid to sleek, refreshing Mavrud.
🙏 to Dimitar & Donka of Apollo Wine for their help in the selection.
The progress this country has made is remarkable. Great value across the range + very contemporary styles, from Burgundian Pamid to sleek, refreshing Mavrud.
🙏 to Dimitar & Donka of Apollo Wine for their help in the selection.
November 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Exciting tasting of Bulgarian 🇧🇬 wines yesterday at Ferment Wine Academy.
The progress this country has made is remarkable. Great value across the range + very contemporary styles, from Burgundian Pamid to sleek, refreshing Mavrud.
🙏 to Dimitar & Donka of Apollo Wine for their help in the selection.
The progress this country has made is remarkable. Great value across the range + very contemporary styles, from Burgundian Pamid to sleek, refreshing Mavrud.
🙏 to Dimitar & Donka of Apollo Wine for their help in the selection.
Exciting tasting of Bulgarian 🇧🇬 wines yesterday at Ferment Wine Academy.
The progress this country has made is remarkable. Great value across the range + very contemporary styles, from Burgundian Pamid to sleek, refreshing Mavrud.
🙏 to Dimitar & Donka of Apollo Wine for their help in the selection.
The progress this country has made is remarkable. Great value across the range + very contemporary styles, from Burgundian Pamid to sleek, refreshing Mavrud.
🙏 to Dimitar & Donka of Apollo Wine for their help in the selection.
November 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Exciting tasting of Bulgarian 🇧🇬 wines yesterday at Ferment Wine Academy.
The progress this country has made is remarkable. Great value across the range + very contemporary styles, from Burgundian Pamid to sleek, refreshing Mavrud.
🙏 to Dimitar & Donka of Apollo Wine for their help in the selection.
The progress this country has made is remarkable. Great value across the range + very contemporary styles, from Burgundian Pamid to sleek, refreshing Mavrud.
🙏 to Dimitar & Donka of Apollo Wine for their help in the selection.
Great to see the 1 and only Elisabetta Foradori in Warsaw after 13 years.
Her wines have changed: sharper, purer, freed from the non-essential, but she has not, hypnotising the audience with her soft-spoken wisdom.
The 2021 Sgarzon Cilindrica (Teroldego aged in two different amphorae) my WOTN.
Her wines have changed: sharper, purer, freed from the non-essential, but she has not, hypnotising the audience with her soft-spoken wisdom.
The 2021 Sgarzon Cilindrica (Teroldego aged in two different amphorae) my WOTN.
November 6, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Great to see the 1 and only Elisabetta Foradori in Warsaw after 13 years.
Her wines have changed: sharper, purer, freed from the non-essential, but she has not, hypnotising the audience with her soft-spoken wisdom.
The 2021 Sgarzon Cilindrica (Teroldego aged in two different amphorae) my WOTN.
Her wines have changed: sharper, purer, freed from the non-essential, but she has not, hypnotising the audience with her soft-spoken wisdom.
The 2021 Sgarzon Cilindrica (Teroldego aged in two different amphorae) my WOTN.
Sherry Week was properly inaugurated one day in advance 🎉
Consistently one of the most interesting Manzanillas on the market—but very atypical too as it is a vintage sherry, whatever Sean Connery thought about that.
Cheers 🫒
Consistently one of the most interesting Manzanillas on the market—but very atypical too as it is a vintage sherry, whatever Sean Connery thought about that.
Cheers 🫒
November 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Sherry Week was properly inaugurated one day in advance 🎉
Consistently one of the most interesting Manzanillas on the market—but very atypical too as it is a vintage sherry, whatever Sean Connery thought about that.
Cheers 🫒
Consistently one of the most interesting Manzanillas on the market—but very atypical too as it is a vintage sherry, whatever Sean Connery thought about that.
Cheers 🫒
Amazing (as well as otherworldly) to see the Polish wines 🇵🇱 of Kamil Barczentewicz now sold by the UK’s matchless @thewinesociety.bsky.social & garnering great reviews.
#thenextbigthing
#thenextbigthing
October 29, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Amazing (as well as otherworldly) to see the Polish wines 🇵🇱 of Kamil Barczentewicz now sold by the UK’s matchless @thewinesociety.bsky.social & garnering great reviews.
#thenextbigthing
#thenextbigthing
Congratulations 🎉 to the best Nebbiolos of this year in my Top 100 Report.
Link to full tasting notes and scores for over 1,000 wines:
timatkin.com/product/2025...
If you haven’t bought 2021 Barolos yet, you should—the best vintage in years…
Link to full tasting notes and scores for over 1,000 wines:
timatkin.com/product/2025...
If you haven’t bought 2021 Barolos yet, you should—the best vintage in years…
October 23, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Congratulations 🎉 to the best Nebbiolos of this year in my Top 100 Report.
Link to full tasting notes and scores for over 1,000 wines:
timatkin.com/product/2025...
If you haven’t bought 2021 Barolos yet, you should—the best vintage in years…
Link to full tasting notes and scores for over 1,000 wines:
timatkin.com/product/2025...
If you haven’t bought 2021 Barolos yet, you should—the best vintage in years…
15:30.
Somewhere in Greece, August 2025.
Somewhere in Greece, August 2025.
October 19, 2025 at 4:11 PM
15:30.
Somewhere in Greece, August 2025.
Somewhere in Greece, August 2025.
Inside Niepoort’s historical Port lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, followed by an amazing tasting with Dirk & Daniel Niepoort, Port winemaker Nick Delaforce, including some very rare old wines.
October 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Inside Niepoort’s historical Port lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, followed by an amazing tasting with Dirk & Daniel Niepoort, Port winemaker Nick Delaforce, including some very rare old wines.
Scientists find "claim that «there is no safe level» of alcohol intake … not sufficiently supported based on our current scientific knowledge."
I wonder if authors who were busy with their “alcohol is bad for you” stories will now publish this…
t.e2ma.net/click/7az2sk...
I wonder if authors who were busy with their “alcohol is bad for you” stories will now publish this…
t.e2ma.net/click/7az2sk...
t.e2ma.net
October 14, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Scientists find "claim that «there is no safe level» of alcohol intake … not sufficiently supported based on our current scientific knowledge."
I wonder if authors who were busy with their “alcohol is bad for you” stories will now publish this…
t.e2ma.net/click/7az2sk...
I wonder if authors who were busy with their “alcohol is bad for you” stories will now publish this…
t.e2ma.net/click/7az2sk...
J H Andresen is a special Port house, family-owned since 1845 and keeping a low-key image. But their Colheitas and Tawnies are world-class, & owner Carlos Flores dos Santos is a matchless source of great stories, incl how his father out of the blue said, “from today you will work in the cellar.”
October 14, 2025 at 8:09 AM
J H Andresen is a special Port house, family-owned since 1845 and keeping a low-key image. But their Colheitas and Tawnies are world-class, & owner Carlos Flores dos Santos is a matchless source of great stories, incl how his father out of the blue said, “from today you will work in the cellar.”
S Leonardo is 1 of my favourite Port brands, with their 💣 old whites and tawnies. So it was emotional to return to Quinta do Mourão (“Port Knox”) after owner Miguel Braga sold to the Fálua group.
The 90-year-old White Colheita will be one of the best wines of my upcoming Port & Madeira Report.
The 90-year-old White Colheita will be one of the best wines of my upcoming Port & Madeira Report.
October 11, 2025 at 8:55 AM
S Leonardo is 1 of my favourite Port brands, with their 💣 old whites and tawnies. So it was emotional to return to Quinta do Mourão (“Port Knox”) after owner Miguel Braga sold to the Fálua group.
The 90-year-old White Colheita will be one of the best wines of my upcoming Port & Madeira Report.
The 90-year-old White Colheita will be one of the best wines of my upcoming Port & Madeira Report.
HAPPY to have my Nebbiolo Top 100 published by Tim Atkin MW.
I have tasted 1,100 wines this year, not only from Barolo and Barbaresco but also Roero, Langhe Nebbiolo, Alto Piemonte, Valtellina & Aosta.
Includes best wines of the year + tasting notes for the top 100.
timatkin.com/product/2025...
I have tasted 1,100 wines this year, not only from Barolo and Barbaresco but also Roero, Langhe Nebbiolo, Alto Piemonte, Valtellina & Aosta.
Includes best wines of the year + tasting notes for the top 100.
timatkin.com/product/2025...
October 10, 2025 at 11:12 AM
HAPPY to have my Nebbiolo Top 100 published by Tim Atkin MW.
I have tasted 1,100 wines this year, not only from Barolo and Barbaresco but also Roero, Langhe Nebbiolo, Alto Piemonte, Valtellina & Aosta.
Includes best wines of the year + tasting notes for the top 100.
timatkin.com/product/2025...
I have tasted 1,100 wines this year, not only from Barolo and Barbaresco but also Roero, Langhe Nebbiolo, Alto Piemonte, Valtellina & Aosta.
Includes best wines of the year + tasting notes for the top 100.
timatkin.com/product/2025...
I tasted over 10,000 years of Port last week.
The market is now paying very good money for old wine, and producers are releasing some amazing bottlings, including from the 19th century.
You will read all about it in my special report, published by Tim Atkin MW later this year.
The market is now paying very good money for old wine, and producers are releasing some amazing bottlings, including from the 19th century.
You will read all about it in my special report, published by Tim Atkin MW later this year.
October 8, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I tasted over 10,000 years of Port last week.
The market is now paying very good money for old wine, and producers are releasing some amazing bottlings, including from the 19th century.
You will read all about it in my special report, published by Tim Atkin MW later this year.
The market is now paying very good money for old wine, and producers are releasing some amazing bottlings, including from the 19th century.
You will read all about it in my special report, published by Tim Atkin MW later this year.
Wachau 🇦🇹 pulled another classy act at the Austrian Single Vineyard Summit. These were my three favourite Grüners and three Rieslings. In an often challenging 2024 vintage, it was the classic wineries that found the narrow path to excellence.
#AustriaReport
#erstelagen
#AustriaReport
#erstelagen
September 29, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Wachau 🇦🇹 pulled another classy act at the Austrian Single Vineyard Summit. These were my three favourite Grüners and three Rieslings. In an often challenging 2024 vintage, it was the classic wineries that found the narrow path to excellence.
#AustriaReport
#erstelagen
#AustriaReport
#erstelagen
Reposted by Wojciech Bońkowski MW
“Positive thinking and discipline are the key." In the first of a new series on The Buyer profiling new Master Sommeliers Agnieszka Swiecka reflects on the life changing steps she has taken on her way to becoming a Master Sommelier & what it takes to pass www.the-buyer.net/people/somme...
September 29, 2025 at 9:30 AM
“Positive thinking and discipline are the key." In the first of a new series on The Buyer profiling new Master Sommeliers Agnieszka Swiecka reflects on the life changing steps she has taken on her way to becoming a Master Sommelier & what it takes to pass www.the-buyer.net/people/somme...
Against the odds in a Weinvertel village that mostly makes simple wine, Marion & Manfred Ebner-Ebenauer have built one of Austria’s most impressive brands.
Amazing sparkling wines but I love the Grüners & the Pinot Noir too. Beautiful place and amazing people.
#erstelagen
#singlevineyardsummit
Amazing sparkling wines but I love the Grüners & the Pinot Noir too. Beautiful place and amazing people.
#erstelagen
#singlevineyardsummit
September 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Against the odds in a Weinvertel village that mostly makes simple wine, Marion & Manfred Ebner-Ebenauer have built one of Austria’s most impressive brands.
Amazing sparkling wines but I love the Grüners & the Pinot Noir too. Beautiful place and amazing people.
#erstelagen
#singlevineyardsummit
Amazing sparkling wines but I love the Grüners & the Pinot Noir too. Beautiful place and amazing people.
#erstelagen
#singlevineyardsummit
A bottle of Blanc de Noirs intrigued me at a Grafenegg masterclass of Austria Sekt 🇦🇹 so I called the producer, Christian Madl to ask if I could visit him.
September 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
A bottle of Blanc de Noirs intrigued me at a Grafenegg masterclass of Austria Sekt 🇦🇹 so I called the producer, Christian Madl to ask if I could visit him.
Reposted by Wojciech Bońkowski MW
Patrick E. McGovern, a celebrated biomolecular archaeologist who revealed the deep history of wine, beer and mead, has died at the age of 80. His forensic investigations into residues on pottery reshaped our understanding of alcohol’s role in civilisation.
Patrick McGovern, 'Indiana Jones of ancient wine', dies at 80
Patrick E. McGovern, a celebrated biomolecular archaeologist who revealed the deep history of wine, beer and mead, has died at the age of 80. His forensic investigations into residues on pottery resha...
www.thedrinksbusiness.com
September 16, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Patrick E. McGovern, a celebrated biomolecular archaeologist who revealed the deep history of wine, beer and mead, has died at the age of 80. His forensic investigations into residues on pottery reshaped our understanding of alcohol’s role in civilisation.
I visit the Esterházy winery for complete tasting of the family's Austrian wines (they also have a winery in 🇭🇺). The Sekts, based on Blaufränkisch, are impressive and there are fun Projekt bottlings including a Furmint, Chenin, and Grüner Veltliner aged in an egg made of their own granite.
September 15, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I visit the Esterházy winery for complete tasting of the family's Austrian wines (they also have a winery in 🇭🇺). The Sekts, based on Blaufränkisch, are impressive and there are fun Projekt bottlings including a Furmint, Chenin, and Grüner Veltliner aged in an egg made of their own granite.
Deservedly happy!
Kudos & 🙏 to the ÖTW Traditionsweingüter Österreich association, who delivered another spotless edition of my favourite wine event anywhere, the Austrian Single Vineyard Summit.
6days of deep immersion & tasting 500 top labels from across Europe’s reliably exciting® wine country🔥
Kudos & 🙏 to the ÖTW Traditionsweingüter Österreich association, who delivered another spotless edition of my favourite wine event anywhere, the Austrian Single Vineyard Summit.
6days of deep immersion & tasting 500 top labels from across Europe’s reliably exciting® wine country🔥
September 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Deservedly happy!
Kudos & 🙏 to the ÖTW Traditionsweingüter Österreich association, who delivered another spotless edition of my favourite wine event anywhere, the Austrian Single Vineyard Summit.
6days of deep immersion & tasting 500 top labels from across Europe’s reliably exciting® wine country🔥
Kudos & 🙏 to the ÖTW Traditionsweingüter Österreich association, who delivered another spotless edition of my favourite wine event anywhere, the Austrian Single Vineyard Summit.
6days of deep immersion & tasting 500 top labels from across Europe’s reliably exciting® wine country🔥
Thumbs up to L’Heritage Korres Yastra, a new winery on Naxos 🇬🇷 set up by four siblings: Manolis, Marcos, Sofia and Giorgos.
The 1st vintage from their diminutive plots makes a fine impression. The Potamisi white blend has salty power and the Rosé is from popular Fokianó.
The 1st vintage from their diminutive plots makes a fine impression. The Potamisi white blend has salty power and the Rosé is from popular Fokianó.
August 25, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Thumbs up to L’Heritage Korres Yastra, a new winery on Naxos 🇬🇷 set up by four siblings: Manolis, Marcos, Sofia and Giorgos.
The 1st vintage from their diminutive plots makes a fine impression. The Potamisi white blend has salty power and the Rosé is from popular Fokianó.
The 1st vintage from their diminutive plots makes a fine impression. The Potamisi white blend has salty power and the Rosé is from popular Fokianó.
Two days is hardly much on Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades 🇬🇷, but great to scratch the surface.
The highlight was climbing Mount Zas, the highest of the archipelago at 1,003 metres. The views were worth the 5am alarm clock.
The highlight was climbing Mount Zas, the highest of the archipelago at 1,003 metres. The views were worth the 5am alarm clock.
August 24, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Two days is hardly much on Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades 🇬🇷, but great to scratch the surface.
The highlight was climbing Mount Zas, the highest of the archipelago at 1,003 metres. The views were worth the 5am alarm clock.
The highlight was climbing Mount Zas, the highest of the archipelago at 1,003 metres. The views were worth the 5am alarm clock.
Schinoussa 🇬🇷 has a premium image, for no apparent reason. Yes, a nice serrated coastline with views of nearby islets, sandy beaches, outnumbered though by million-$ yachts.
Elsewhere the island is dusty and shabby. Still, we managed to find a fine restaurant with good wine…
Elsewhere the island is dusty and shabby. Still, we managed to find a fine restaurant with good wine…
August 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Schinoussa 🇬🇷 has a premium image, for no apparent reason. Yes, a nice serrated coastline with views of nearby islets, sandy beaches, outnumbered though by million-$ yachts.
Elsewhere the island is dusty and shabby. Still, we managed to find a fine restaurant with good wine…
Elsewhere the island is dusty and shabby. Still, we managed to find a fine restaurant with good wine…
Irakliá is the 1st island of the minor Cyclades off Naxos 🇬🇷 (coming from the S).
It’s pleasantly low-key, with just a small port, a deserted Chora, a few beaches and sunset spots. But sophisticated dining too at Araklia.
We saw a vineyard and a homemade wine in the minimarket, but didn't try it.
It’s pleasantly low-key, with just a small port, a deserted Chora, a few beaches and sunset spots. But sophisticated dining too at Araklia.
We saw a vineyard and a homemade wine in the minimarket, but didn't try it.
August 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Irakliá is the 1st island of the minor Cyclades off Naxos 🇬🇷 (coming from the S).
It’s pleasantly low-key, with just a small port, a deserted Chora, a few beaches and sunset spots. But sophisticated dining too at Araklia.
We saw a vineyard and a homemade wine in the minimarket, but didn't try it.
It’s pleasantly low-key, with just a small port, a deserted Chora, a few beaches and sunset spots. But sophisticated dining too at Araklia.
We saw a vineyard and a homemade wine in the minimarket, but didn't try it.
Santorini 🇬🇷 is in trouble. 3y of drought has brought yields less than 1000 kg/ha. Vines die of drought and neglect.
1st 📷 is the entire crop a grower brought to Gaia, maybe 100 kg where they used to contribute 1 ton.
Will Santorini wine disappear altogether in 10 years?
1st 📷 is the entire crop a grower brought to Gaia, maybe 100 kg where they used to contribute 1 ton.
Will Santorini wine disappear altogether in 10 years?
August 17, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Santorini 🇬🇷 is in trouble. 3y of drought has brought yields less than 1000 kg/ha. Vines die of drought and neglect.
1st 📷 is the entire crop a grower brought to Gaia, maybe 100 kg where they used to contribute 1 ton.
Will Santorini wine disappear altogether in 10 years?
1st 📷 is the entire crop a grower brought to Gaia, maybe 100 kg where they used to contribute 1 ton.
Will Santorini wine disappear altogether in 10 years?