Accessibility settings
Home Publications Partner news Viña Santa Sofía: beyond the score, wine is defined in the glass.
Partner

Viña Santa Sofía: beyond the score, wine is defined in the glass.

With so many wines in Chile, ratings help guide consumers, but they don't tell the whole story. For Fernando Bustos Latorre, manager of Santa Sofía Chile, "numbers serve as a reference, but the true measure is in the glass: in how each wine is enjoyed, shared, and experienced."

Diciembre 26, 2025.

With so many wines circulating in Chile, looking at scores has become almost a shortcut to deciding which bottle to buy. According to Fernando Bustos Latorre, manager of the Santa Sofía Chile winery, "the numbers serve as a guide, but they don't tell the whole story. A wine is enjoyed in the glass, shared with friends, family, or accompanied by a good barbecue."

Some wines from Santa Sofía Chile have received scores in the Allistair Cooper MW guide, known for being stricter than other guides or competitions. Fernando clarifies that these numbers reflect the level of production, balance, and consistency, not just the taste of the person who rates them: "For a wine to have a score in this guide means that it is very well made and consistent, but it never replaces the experience of tasting and enjoying it."

How to read the scores:

  • Less than 85 points: simple wines, with details that could be improved.

  • 85 to 89 points: well-made, balanced wines that are true to their style.

  • 90 to 94 points: very good quality wines, complex and balanced.

  • 95 points or above: exceptional wines, technically flawless and with great character.

"These numbers serve as a guide, allowing you to compare vintages or see consistency, but they don't tell you whether you'll love a wine at a barbecue or on a summer afternoon at the beach," says Fernando.

At Santa Sofía Chile, scores are used as a reference, not as a goal. "We make wines with their own identity and personality. What defines a good wine is what happens in the glass and who you share it with," he adds.

These wines, which showcase Chile's quality and diversity, reflect the work of our viticulture, from the Maipo Valley to Casablanca. The scores help give international visibility, but the true measure remains real enjoyment: a toast with family, a traditional meal, or a summer afternoon sharing the perfect glass.

Because in the end, scores are useful... but what really matters is how you feel when you taste the wine.