Wine’s Epiphany
by Wojciech Bońkowski MW
When did you last cry? From pain, relief, elation? Was it a book, a movie? Were you bidding some farewell for a year, for ever? For me, it is often...
Wojciech Bońkowski MW
Wojciech Bońkowski has written about wine in Polish and English since 1999.
He holds an MA in Italian literature and PhD in musicology from the University of Warsaw. His book on Chopin’s favourite food and wines, Chopin Gourmet, was published in English by the Chopin Institute in 2015. Simultaneously he developed a career in wine, working in London before returning to Poland where he published eight books and founded the country’s leading wine website, Winicjatywa (2012), and wine magazine, Ferment (2017, with Ewa Rybak and Ewa Wieleżyńska). The Ferment media group now also includes a wine events agency, wine school, and publishing house. In 2023, he became Poland’s first Master of Wine. He currently focuses on the wines of Italy, Greece, Austria, Central and Eastern Europe including Poland’s booming industry, Port, Madeira, and Champagne. And he actually has another life as a tea taster.
Articles by Wojciech Bońkowski MW
2024 Jerez Special Report
£10.00Jerez presents a paradox. It is one of the world’s most historic wines, still made largely with pre-1900 techniques, yet few people seem to care. It was once the most...
Add to basketNever A False Note
by Wojciech Bońkowski MW
Wolfgang Amadeus composed to a genre, like every author in his era. A sonata consisted of three separate pieces, the first telling the story of tonal conflict between two contrasting...
Make Albania Great Again
by Wojciech Bońkowski MW
Albania and Sussex have a lot in common. Similar population, with most young people moving to London. Pronunciation incomprehensible to outsiders. 150 miles of gorgeous limestone coastline. And of course,...
In Praise of Bulk Wine
by Wojciech Bońkowski MW
“No problem, monsieur, but please, give it some age—at least five years.” We nodded in intimidation as the lady at Roger Sabon proceeded to fill our 20-litre plastic canister with...
The Desert Island Wine
by Wojciech Bońkowski MW
Thirassiá covers nine square kilometres and is the Siamese twin of Santorini. The two islands were separated by a catastrophic volcanic eruption in the 17th century BC. Thirassiá looks exactly...
Tokaj’s silver lining
by Wojciech Bońkowski MW
The Tokaj wine region organised its second wine auction recently. Modelled on the Hospices de Beaune, it featured unique lots of dry and sweet wines offered by the 136-litre barrel,...