It’s just a few days until Australia’s Wine List of the Year 2019 reveals the country's best wine list.
Last year, Aria Brisbane took home the top trophy (below) – the first time in the awards 25-year history that a Queensland restaurant had won this prestigious national accolade.
A record 424 venues have entered the awards this year, with 20% new entrants.
Chairman Peter Forrestal, alongside International Co-Chairman Brian Julyan MS, founder and president of the Court of Master Sommeliers were impressed by the world class standard of Australian Wine Lists.
The judging panel, a 34-strong group of highly respected local and international judges, included Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, wine judges, educators, commentators and previous award winners.
“It is the nature, calibre and global recognition and respect of these independent judges that sets these Awards apart,” said award founder Rob Hirst who launched the programme in 1993.
Developed by Rob and Judy Hirst and Tucker Seabrook, Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards were created to recognise and reward the hard work and talent of sommeliers as well as the enormous investment in time and resources by business owners to develop quality wine lists and cellars.
According to Hirst the most popular award category this year remains Best Wine by the Glass, with preservation technology such as Coravin making this a perfect vehicle for offering premium wines to consumers.
“This was followed again by Best Matching of Food and Wine –reflecting the ever-closer liaison between sommeliers and chefs. Showing both consumer interest and sommelier desire to showcase the beauty of Australian wines, it was pleasing to see the strength of both Best Listing of Australian Wines and Best Listing of a Regions Wines categories this year.”
The Drinks Association is the official Trade Communications Partner of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards.
“Our mission is to inform, strengthen and connect the Australian drinks industry and this event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of sommeliers and venues throughout Australia,” said Georgia Lennon, CEO, The Drinks Association. ”We look forward to toasting the winners and sharing their stories in Drinks Trade magazine and via our digital media platforms.”
The winners of Australia’s Wine List of the Year 2019 - and the venue with Australia's best wine list - will be revealed at an awards presentation next Monday, July 22.
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