Understanding the Five Basic Characteristics of Wine
Written by - Cult Wines Team
At its essence, wine is just fermented grape juice, yet its expressions are infinite. By learning to recognise the five fundamental characteristics of wine – sweetness, acidity, tannin, alcohol, and body – you gain the tools to decode every glass, whether it’s a humble table wine or a prized vintage. These traits determine how wine feels on your palate, why it pairs beautifully with certain foods, and what makes it age gracefully over time.
From the first hint of sweetness on your tongue to the weight of a wine’s body lingering in your mouth, each characteristic offers clues about style, origin, and personal preference. Mastering these building blocks doesn’t require the nose of a sommelier, just curiosity and practice. Once you understand them, you’ll navigate the world of wine with greater confidence and discover the bottles that truly match your taste.
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News in brief
Wildfires Threaten Napa Vineyards as Harvest Begins
Napa County has declared a state of emergency as wildfires scorch over 6,800 acres, forcing evacuations and threatening several top vineyards. Estates including Eisele, Venge and Kenefick Ranch lie within affected zones, though some, like Venge, have managed to continue harvesting. While no major winery damage has been confirmed, smoke taint remains a concern, especially for later-ripening Cabernet. Growers recall the devastation of 2020, when entire harvests were lost. The fires highlight a growing climate threat, with dry vegetation and steep terrain fuelling the latest blaze across California and Oregon.
Château Lafleur Exits Bordeaux Appellation System
Top Pomerol estate Château Lafleur has announced it will leave the Bordeaux and Pomerol AOC system from the 2025 vintage, reclassifying all six of its wines as Vin de France. The Guinaudeau family cited climate change and rigid appellation rules as key factors behind the decision, calling it essential to protect vineyard longevity and wine identity. Lafleur becomes the first Bordeaux estate of its stature to step outside the AOC framework, joining a handful of influential French producers seeking greater flexibility in the face of rising heat, drought and shifting weather patterns.
French Wine Harvest Set to Rebound for 2025
France’s wine production is forecast to rise by up to 17% in 2025, reaching between 40 and 42.5 million hectolitres after a record-low harvest last year. Burgundy, Champagne and the Loire Valley are leading the recovery thanks to favourable weather and lower disease pressure. In Bordeaux, yields are holding steady despite 8,000 hectares of vines being uprooted, with flowering and ripening progressing ahead of schedule. Across France, early harvests are expected following a hot, dry start to summer. National volumes are projected to return to the five-year average, keeping France second to Italy in global output.
What we’re drinking
2024 Ceretto, “Blange” Langhe DOC
Helene Alari, Global Head of Operations - Cult Wines
The Piedmont region in northwest Italy needs little to no introduction to wine lovers, nor does the Ceretto family with their cult status Nebbiolo-based Cru wines. However, a lesser-known fact might be that the family has also, since the early 1980s, been part of the movement to revive the then almost extinct white grape of the region – Arneis.
“Blange” Langhe DOC, being a 100% Arneis, was created by the desire to improve varietal recognition as well as drinking pleasure, and it has done exactly that! This is an aromatic wine with bright acidity and amazing depth, combined with minerality and freshness, making it a perfect companion on a hot summer day, paired with food or enjoyed on its own.
I particularly enjoy the freshness and almost fizz-like sensation on the nose and in every mouthful, which stems from cool fermentation in stainless steel and modern practices, which the Ceretto winery takes pride in. Cin cin!
Our fine wine feature
Rising Stars: 3 Regions Breaking into the Collector Scene
Written by - Jonathan Kee, Client Account Manager - Cult Wines
Fine wine collecting is no longer the sole domain of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne. A fresh wave of terroirs is earning critical acclaim, with Etna’s fiery volcanic slopes producing tense, age-worthy reds, Kumeu River in New Zealand crafting Chardonnays to rival Puligny-Montrachet, and Austria’s Wachau delivering Rieslings of extraordinary purity and ageing potential. Together, they prove that true finesse and collectability can emerge far beyond the classic French icons.
With top scores, striking individuality, and prices that remain accessible, these regions present collectors with an opportunity that is both forward-looking and rewarding. Etna is already beginning to track Burgundy’s pricing, while New Zealand and Austria still offer remarkable value. For collectors ready to expand their horizons, these rising stars represent the next frontier in fine wine.
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Explore & travel
The Mystery of Morava: A Montenegrin Wine Discovery
Written by - Alexa Atkinson, Senior Marketing Manager - Cult Wines
Not every great wine discovery comes with a prestigious label or famous appellation. In Montenegro, a bottle of Mons Meg Morava 2024 opened the door to a deeper story. One of curiosity, Balkan history, and a Serbian-bred grape thriving in Montenegrin soil. With Riesling’s acidity, Traminer’s exotic aromatics, and resilience built into its DNA, Morava proved both fresh and compelling, embodying the promise of modern grape breeding.
At the heart of this experience was Bombarda 929, a boutique producer balancing experimentation against Montenegro’s larger wine traditions. Their Morava represents more than just a bottle. It’s a symbol of resilience, identity, and exploration in a region often overlooked by collectors. This discovery is a reminder that wine’s greatest stories are still being written, sometimes in hidden corners where history, culture, and creativity flow.
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