20 Fine Wine Myths You Probably Still Believe
Written by - Cult Wines Team
Fine wine has a habit of accumulating “rules” about ageing, price, closures, serving and storage, many of which sound convincing but don’t quite stand up to scrutiny. Some are based on half-truths, others on outdated practice, and a few persist because they feel tidy and reassuring.
This piece breaks down 20 of the most common fine wine myths, separating fact from fiction in plain language. From whether all fine wine improves with age to what sediment, sulphites, and screwcaps really mean, each claim is tested with a clear verdict and practical explanation, helping you make better decisions with the bottles you buy, cellar and open.
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News in brief
War Brings Global Spotlight to Ukrainian Wine
Despite ongoing devastation since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Ukraine’s wine industry is showing resilience abroad. Domestic conditions remain dire, particularly in southern regions, where vineyards have been damaged and consumption has dropped. Yet, international interest in Ukrainian wine has grown. Beykush Winery’s CEO, Svitlana Tsybak, noted that producers are more united, quality-focused, and determined to preserve identity. Export demand has surged, with Ukrainian wines gaining recognition in new markets and global competitions. As conflict persists, visibility abroad contrasts with fragility at home, a paradox driving long-term transformation.
Marco Balsimelli Steps into Axel Heinz’s Shoes at Ornellaia
Marco Balsimelli has taken over as production director at Ornellaia, following the long tenure of Axel Heinz. A native of Tuscany with Bordeaux winemaking experience, Balsimelli aims to continue the estate’s pursuit of elegance, finesse and terroir expression. Subtle changes under his leadership include earlier blending and a focus on refined tannins. Ornellaia Bianco, now made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, reflects a more defined identity. Climate change strategies include lower vine density and vigorous rootstocks, but Balsimelli stresses flexibility over fixed organic practices. His goal: balance, clarity, and freshness, even in a warming world.
Female Sommeliers Break Barriers in Male-Dominated Wine World
Top sommeliers Pascaline Lepeltier and Paz Levinson say the wine world is more open to women today, though gender parity remains elusive. Both faced scepticism early in their careers, but now see growing opportunities for women, especially in France, where nearly half of sommelier trainees are female. While no woman has yet won the World’s Best Sommelier title, several have come close, and Lepeltier is hopeful for 2026. Female sommeliers are also expanding the role, exploring areas like non-alcoholic pairings and niche wines. “Passion brings us together,” reflecting a shift in both culture and attitude.
What we’re drinking
Comando G 'Rozas 1er Cru' 2018
Joe Alim, Managing Director Asia - Cult Wines
Comando G is based in the Sierra de Gredos, a remote, high-altitude region that straddles the provinces of Madrid, Ávila, and Toledo in central Spain. It’s a landscape of old bush-vine Garnacha, granite outcrops, and dramatic elevation changes. An area that was once overlooked but is now one of the most exciting wine regions in the country.
Comando G, founded by a group of friends who idolise the wines from Rayas, has been central to that rise, championing purity, tension, and a style of Garnacha that feels more like mountain infusions than conventional reds.
The 2018 Rozas 1er Cru captures everything that makes Gredos Garnacha so compelling. It opens with that bright, lifted perfume, wild strawberry, blood orange, rose petal, and a touch of dry mountain herbs. The aromatics are weightless and transparent, more about energy and precision than sheer fruit.
If you like your wines with a bit of 'funk', then this may be the producer for you! High-class juice.
Our fine wine feature
China in the Glass: An Evening with The Author from ‘The Chinese Wine Renaissance’
Written by - Jessie Wu, Client Account Manager - Cult Wines
Janet Wang’s The Chinese Wine Renaissance offers a nuanced lens on China’s long and fragmented wine history, shaped by pragmatism, restraint, and repeated disruption. Rather than framing Chinese wine as a late arrival, the book traces how cultural values and economic shifts have influenced its development, setting the stage for a more self-assured modern era.
Through key regions such as Ningxia and flagship estates including Domaine de Long Dai and Ao Yun, the article explores how China is beginning to articulate a fine-wine identity of its own. The focus is less on comparison and more on confidence, technical progress, and the foundations of long-term credibility.
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Explore & travel
Bordeaux, Unhurried: A Journey of Depth & Perspective
Written by - Hermione Egerton-Smith, Senior Fine Wine Buyer - Cult Wines
Bordeaux continues to define the fine wine world not through spectacle, but through depth, continuity, and an enduring sense of place. This four-day journey across the Right and Left Banks brought a small group of Cult Wines' clients into close conversation with some of the region’s most important estates, offering the time and space to engage beyond the tasting room.
From Saint-Émilion to Pessac-Léognan and Sauternes, the experience focused on understanding how Bordeaux’s wines are shaped by terroir, history, and thoughtful evolution. Long tastings, unhurried lunches, and open discussion revealed not just how these wines are made, but why they continue to matter.
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