2015 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards entries open
The 2015 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards are now open for entries, closing 31st March 2015.
Now recognised as one of the hospitality and tourism Industry’s most prestigious Award Programs, Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards, were established in 1994, and their 2015 presenting partners – award-winning wine magazine Gourmet Traveller WINE, and the Australian Liquor Industry’s the drinks Association, are delighted to together present these benchmark Awards in this their 22nd year.
According to Editor, Judy Sarris “ the team at Gourmet Traveller WINEmagazine are looking forward to receiving the same high calibre of entries as in past years, and from all manner of venues including everything from small wine bars to fine dining restaurants.” Gourmet Traveller WINE, the Award’s Media Partner, is Australia’s leading magazine on the world of wine and is now read by more than 150,000 people. It celebrates both the local and overseas wine scenes. In the last decade Gourmet Traveller WINE has three times been awarded the prestigious Gold Ladle at the World Food Media Awards for “Best Drink Magazine in the World”. Many of the magazine’s experienced team of writers also judge the Awards.
“The drinks Association, now in its 117th year, is a non-profit organisation representing all companies wholesaling wines, beers, spirits, RTD’s and ciders in Australia, is pleased to be the official Trade Communications Partner of the 2015 Australian Wine List of the Year Awards. Our well-respected portfolio of trade publications covers an extensive cross-section of the on-premise drinks community – in excess of 10,000 restaurants, hotels and clubs, and we look forward to working with Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards to help deliver yet another successful Awards program for 2015” – commented Sandra Przibilla, CEO, the drinks Association.
According to Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards founder Rob Hirst, Chairman of Fine Wine Partners – “the combination of our valuable long term Media Partner – Gourmet Traveller WINE and the drinks Association – the pre-eminent supplier of information and services to the Australian Liquor Industry, is an ideal one.
Last year, 2014, for the first time in its 20 year history, there was a tie for the top awards in the 2014 Australia’s Wine List of the Year with Lake House at Daylesford in country Victoria and Rockpool Bar & Grill, Perth becoming joint winners.
Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards has an impressive local and international judging panel to maintain the integrity and independence of the Awards. Headed by leading wine commentator Peter Forrestal as Chairman of Judges, the long-term panel of 30 includes industry figures such as Brian Julyan MS – founder and CEO The Court of Master Sommeliers Europe, former industry Man of the Year and world Champion Sommelier – Gerard Basset MBE, MW MS MBA, from the USA – Evan Goldstein MS, from France James Lawther MW and Andrew Jefford, from Germany Felicity Carter, from New Zealand – Bob Campbell MW and Cameron Douglas MS, plus from Australia – Toni Paterson MW, Jeni Port, Andrew Caillard MW, Huon Hooke, Mike Bennie and Peter Bourne to name but a few, together with former Wine List of the Year Award Winners.
This panel reviews the wine lists for many qualities, which include user friendliness, the quality of the wines and how well the list fits the style of the venue – see Judging Criteria at www.winelistoftheyear.com.au.
From the outlet’s point of view – to quote 2013 winner – Daniel Wegener, formerly Group Sommelier at Print Hall in Perth, – “The awards are not only good for attracting customers, they are the greatest driver for sommeliers to continually evolve and improve their wine lists. Just submitting for the awards is an exercise in improving your business. We have many European professionals working with us and they are all so impressed by the great lists of Australia compared to their restaurants back home”.
“Almost daily we have people who tell us they booked because they read about the wine list. Our 2013 win meant mountains to our business, our people and our reputation as a bonafide wine focused venue. Even for those who know nothing of the win, to open the list and see the Awards printed on the title page is a conversation starter that we try to make sure develops into a great relationship.”
As usual there are a wide range of categories to cater for the styles of different venues from Best Restaurant List, Best Hotel List, Best Wine Bar List, Best Club List, Best Food and Wine Matching List, Best Wine by the Glass List and more. A full list of categories is also available at www.winelistoftheyear.com.au
Again in 2015, Wine Australia will continue to promote local producers with their sponsorship of the Award for the ‘Best Listing of Australian Wines.’
Results will be published in the Aug/Sept 2015 issue of Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine.
Australia’s wine List of the Year Awards 2015 key dates
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