Organisers say they are delighted with the response to the 2022 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards, which will be announced to an invitation-only audience in Sydney on Monday, 26 September at 12-Micron in Barangaroo.

Sommeliers in attendance will take part in intimate masterclasses featuring a range of top wines from Australian and New Zealand producers, as well as Judge and Sommelier ‘Speed Dating’ for sommeliers looking to receive expert advice and guidance on building their wine list from a selection of the organisation’s panel of judges.

Organisers received more entrants in the Awards this year than ever before with the Best List of Wines by the Glass the most popular category again followed closely by Best List with less than 200 wines.

A panel of 30 independent judges comprised of Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and expert wine show judges and communicators will rank each list from one to three glasses. Those ranked with three glasses are then in contention for the highly prized State / Territory, Type of Trade, and Category Awards and the ultimate prize of the night: Australia’s best Wine List: Australia’s Wine List of the Year.

A Wine List Service Award category is a new addition to the prize pool this year, created to recognise those venues and sommeliers who demonstrate that they understand the critical importance of carefully and professionally storing and serving their wines, particularly ‘by the glass’, at the correct temperature and in the correct glassware. Organisers say that many venues have made significant investments in their temperature control, refrigeration systems and preservation systems for storing and serving their wines and that as technology advances, it is timely that this is also recognized. All venues achieving the required standard will be recognised.

Rob Hirst founded the awards in 1994 along with his late wife, Judy. He says, “The Awards have always been a platform to recognise, reward and celebrate the very best Australia has to offer in the way of Wine Lists – that critical ‘other half’ of the perfect dining experience, and the outstanding individuals behind them. This continues to be the focus of the Awards today. 

“Over the years, the quality of Australia’s wine lists has grown in line with the quality of the exceptional cuisine offered across Australia’s restaurants, hotels, clubs, pubs, and wine bars.”

Last year’s Wine list of the Year went to Ten Minutes by Tractor (pictured above), which also won the 2021 Best Country Restaurant List, and Best Victorian List, with sommelier Xavier Vigier awarded the Judy Hirst Award for the Sommelier responsible for the winning list.

There are a number of events in the lead-up to the awards presentation on Monday evening, 26 September. Sommeliers involved with the program and interested to attend should register early as a limited number of seats remain.

For sommeliers interested in enquiring about registrations for this event, please contact events@winelistoftheyear.com  

AUSTRALIA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2022

LOCATION

12-Micron, Tower 1, Level 2/100 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo. Entry via 12 Watermans Quay (Do not enter via the Shipwright Walk entrance).

Drinks Trade is the trade media partner of the Australian Wine List of the Year Awards.

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