Wojciech Bońkowski
Master of Wine

Dancong 1994–1997

Dancong (Phoenix oolong) is one of the most distinctive teas. Exhuberant in youth, it also ages well, as this tasting of examples from 1994, 1996 and 1997 proves.

Oriental Beauty vertical

The Pétrus of tea: three vintages of Teamasters’ Oriental Beauty.

Lao Ming x 2011 x 3

I continue my exploration of Lao Ming’s teas. After underwhelming 2010s, here are some fine 2011 oolongs.

Wine and tea (3)

Part 3 of my major series on similarities between wine and tea. Health benefits, drinking culture, wine and tea as investment, and why wine tasters should drink more tea.

Wine and tea (2)

Wine and tea: they actually have a lot in common. In the second installment of this seminal article I look at the production process of wine and tea and how possibly they can be similar.

Wine and tea

Wine and tea: they couldn’t look more different but in fact, have quite a lot in common. In the first installment of this seminal article I look at the geography and terroir of the vine and tea tree.

Lao Ming revisited

Three new oolong teas from reputed teamaster Lao Ming. My initial admiration is becoming relative. These teas are as overroasted as a really overoaked wine.

Moving tea

The logistic challenges of moving a tea collection.

Lifespan of tea

Tea is perishable. Green tea doesn’t age. Drink your Japanese sencha within a few weeks. Lies, all lies.

The lure of Korean tea

Three Korean teas on the tea table – more than I normally sample in a year.