FAQ

1. What is considered a fine wine?
Fine wine is typically produced in limited quantities using high-quality grapes, traditional techniques, and with the potential for aging. It often comes from reputable regions and is known for its complexity, balance, and character.

2. How is fine wine different from regular wine?
Fine wine is made with meticulous attention to detail, often using organic, biodynamic, or minimal-intervention methods. Unlike mass-produced wines, fine wines are crafted for aging and deliver unique, terroir-driven expressions.

3. Why buy fine wine from Le Soleil Wines?
Le Soleil Wines curates authentic, sustainable, and artisanal fine wines directly from small producers and world best known domaines. We focus on organic, biodynamic, and natural wines with character, made with passion and minimal intervention.

4. Are your fine wines certified or rated by experts?
Many of our wines come from award-winning and certified organic or biodynamic vineyards. We work with producers recognized by sommeliers and wine professionals around the world. You can also find internationally respected wine scores in our product descriptions, including ratings from top critics such as Robert Parker (Wine Advocate), James Suckling, Decanter, Wine Spectator, Jancis Robinson, and Vinous by Antonio Galloni, whenever available.

5. Do you offer both red and white fine wines?
Yes, we offer a wide range of red, white, rosé, sparkling, and fortified fine wines across multiple styles and regions. In addition to our wine portfolio, we also curate a premium selection of fine spirits, including exceptional tequilas. 

Purchase & Shipping

6. Can I buy fine wine online?
Absolutely. Our entire selection is available for purchase online with international shipping and secure payment.

7. How is fine wine packaged for shipping?
We use FedEx-certified boxes with individual protection for each bottle to ensure safe and secure delivery worldwide.

8. Do you offer insured shipping for fine wines?
Yes, all shipments are fully insured. If anything arrives damaged, we offer refunds or replacements according to our return policy.

9. What is your policy for broken or corked bottles?
If a bottle arrives damaged or corked, please contact us within 48 hours with photos. We will offer a replacement according to our exchange and return policy. 

10. Do you ship fine wine internationally?
Yes, we ship to Portugal, Spain, the UK, the USA, and many countries in Europe and Asia. Contact us for delivery options to your region. Please visit our SHIPPING section. 

Storage & Aging

11. How should I store fine wine at home?
Store your wine in a cool, dark place, ideally at a consistent temperature around 12-15°C (55-59°F) with horizontal bottle placement to keep corks moist and prevent oxidation. Avoid temperature fluctuations, direct sunlight, and vibrations, as these can negatively affect the wine’s aging process.

For collectors seeking professional storage, Le Soleil Wines offers secure, climate-controlled storage options at certified warehouses such as London City Bond and Bordeaux City Bond. These facilities provide optimal conditions for long-term aging, insurance protection, and easy access to your wine collection.

12. What is the best temperature for storing fine wine?
The optimal temperature is 12 - 14°C (54 - 57°F), away from direct sunlight and vibration.

13. How long can I age fine wine before drinking it?
The aging potential of fine wine depends on several factors, including the grape varietal, vintage quality, winemaking style, and region of origin. Some fine wines, such as Barolo, Bordeaux, or vintage Port, can age gracefully for 20 to 50 years or more, developing deeper complexity and nuance over time. Others, like certain white Burgundies or natural wines, may peak earlier - between 5 to 15 years - depending on their structure and acidity. Each wine in our collection includes detailed recommendations on optimal drinking windows to help you decide when to open it at its peak. Certain fortified wines like Madeira are legendary for their longevity, with some bottles remaining vibrant and drinkable after 100 to even 200 years. This is due to the unique oxidative aging process and high acidity that stabilizes the wine over centuries.

Proper storage conditions - cool, dark, and temperature-stable environments—are crucial for long-term aging. If you're unsure, our team is always available to help you determine the ideal cellaring time for any bottle.

14. What makes a wine age-worthy?
A wine’s ability to age gracefully over time—known as age-worthiness—depends on a combination of structural and compositional factors. Key elements include:

• High acidity, which acts as a natural preservative and helps maintain freshness over time.

• Firm tannin structure, particularly in red wines, which softens and integrates as the wine matures.

• Balanced alcohol and sugar levels, ensuring the wine develops complexity without becoming unbalanced.

• Concentration and depth of flavor, which allow a wine to evolve and reveal new layers with age.

• Complexity and typicity, meaning the wine already shows multiple dimensions and reflects its terroir or grape variety.

• Quality of winemaking and grape sourcing, as artisanal and minimal-intervention wines from great terroirs tend to age better.

Fortified wines (like Madeira or Port) and certain noble sweet wines (like Tokaji or Sauternes) are especially age-worthy due to their sugar and oxidative resilience. However, proper cellaring conditions - including consistent temperature (around 12 - 14°C or 54 - 57°F), humidity, and darkness - are just as critical to a wine's aging potential.

15. Does fine wine always get better with age?
Not necessarily. While many fine wines are crafted with aging potential in mind, not all of them improve over time. Some wines - especially lighter reds, fresh whites, and natural wines - are meant to be enjoyed in their youth, when their fruit, vibrancy, and aromatics are at their peak.

Other wines, such as structured reds (like Bordeaux, Burgundy,  Barolo, or Rioja Gran Reserva) and certain whites (like aged Riesling or white Burgundy), can develop beautifully over years or decades, gaining complexity, softness, and nuance.

Aging wine also depends on personal preference - some drinkers enjoy the brightness of young wine, while others seek the depth and earthy tones of mature bottles.

We always recommend checking the producer’s aging guidance listed in the wine description, or asking our team for advice tailored to your taste and storage situation.

 Pairing & Recommendations

16. What is the best fine wine for a dinner party?
It depends on your menu, but classic red Bordeaux and DAO wines, aged Barolo, or vintage Champagne always make elegant dinner companions. 

17. Which fine red wines pair best with steak?
Full-bodied reds like Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, or aged Douro and DAO reds are excellent with grilled meats and steak.

18. Do you offer curated wine collections?
Yes, we curate thematic selections, including seasonal boxes, natural wine sets, and exclusive limited-edition collections.

19. Can I get fine wine recommendations based on my taste?
Yes! Contact us or fill out a taste profile and we’ll suggest wines tailored to your preferences.

20. What fine wines are good for gifting?
Champagnes, rare vintages, and premium red blends make excellent gifts. Our team can help you select the perfect bottle.

 Gifting & Premium Selection

21. Do you sell fine wine gift boxes or sets?
Yes, we offer beautifully packaged gift sets. Choose from curated selections or build your own box.

22. What’s a good fine wine to give as a corporate gift?
A well-aged Bordeaux, a vintage Champagne, or a collectible magnum bottle are popular choices for business gifting.

23. Can I include a personal message with a wine gift order?
Yes, we can include a handwritten note with your custom message upon request.

24. Are your gift wines available for next-day delivery?
Yes, next-day delivery is available in Lisbon and other regions depending on your location and time of order.

25. Do you offer premium packaging for gifts?
Absolutely. We use eco-friendly, elegant packaging suitable for any special occasion.

Education & Expertise

26. Do you offer wine tasting experiences?
While we currently operate online, we occasionally host tastings in Lisbon and collaborate with sommeliers for virtual events. Follow our Instagram for events,  wine reviews and degustations and more. 

27. What should I look for when tasting fine wine?
Look for balance, structure, aroma complexity, and finish. Fine wine offers evolving layers with each sip.

28. How can I tell if a wine is truly fine?
Indicators include production method, region, vintage, aging potential, and reputation of the winemaker or estate.

29. Do you have a blog or wine guide for beginners?
Yes, we regularly publish wine education content and guides to help you explore and learn more about natural and fine wines in our Instagram.

30. Are your staff trained sommeliers?
Our team includes wine experts and sommeliers who carefully curate selections and assist with wine advice.

Subscriptions & Wine Club

31. Do you offer a fine wine subscription box?
We’re currently developing a subscription service. Stay tuned and sign up for our newsletter for early access.

32. Can I customize my monthly wine selection?
Customization will be available once the subscription model launches. We’ll allow preferences by wine type or region.

33. What are the benefits of joining your wine club?
Members will enjoy exclusive access to rare wines, discounts, early releases, and tailored recommendations.

34. How often will I receive wines through a subscription?
We plan to offer monthly and quarterly options. More details will be available soon.

35. Can I skip or pause a wine subscription?
Yes, our future subscription model will include the flexibility to skip, pause, or cancel anytime. 

Location, Visits & Local Services

36. Do you have a physical wine shop or tasting room?
Yes. Le Soleil Wines operates a physical pop-up location at Rua Domingos Tendeiro 7A, Lisbon, where customers can browse a curated selection of fine wines and occasionally attend private tastings or events.

37. Where is Le Soleil Wines based?
Le Soleil Wines is based in Lisbon, Portugal, with a presence at Rua Domingos Tendeiro 7A and international storage partners in London City Bond and Bordeaux City Bond for professional wine storage and global logistics.

38. Can I visit your store in person?
Yes, you're welcome to visit our Lisbon pop-up location at Rua Domingos Tendeiro 7A by appointment. 

39. Do you offer local pickup in Lisbon or nearby areas?
Yes, we offer local pickup from our location at Rua Domingos Tendeiro 7A, Lisbon. Please place your order online and select “Local Pickup” at checkout. We'll notify you when your order is ready.

40. Is same-day delivery available in Lisbon?
Yes, same-day delivery within central Lisbon is available for qualifying orders placed before noon. Please contact us directly to arrange expedited service.

41. Are your wines stored in professional bonded warehouses?
Absolutely. Our collectible and investment-grade wines are stored under ideal conditions in  Lisbon professional cellars and at London City Bond (UK) and Bordeaux City Bond (France) - two of the most respected bonded wine storage facilities in Europe.

42. Can I schedule a private wine tasting in Lisbon?
Yes, private tastings can be arranged  at a venue of your choice in Lisbon or outside. Contact our team to customize a tasting experience based on your preferences.

43. Are your storage facilities open to customers?
While our Lisbon location is open for pickups and consultations by appointment, the bonded warehouses in London and Bordeaux are not open to the public due to international security and compliance regulations.

44. Do you offer cellar consultations or in-person wine advice?
Yes, we offer personalized cellar consultations, including in-person appointments at our Lisbon location or remote guidance for international clients. Our wine specialists can help curate age-worthy collections based on your taste, budget, and goals.

45. Do you ship directly from Portugal or from bonded warehouses?
Depending on your order and delivery location, we ship either directly from Portugal or from our professional storage partners at London City Bond or Bordeaux City Bond. This allows us to optimize for speed, provenance, and tax efficiency.