With 14 events across three continents it was appropriate that the global final for the Star Wine List Awards was held in its home country of Sweden in a ceremony hosted by its founder, Krister Bengtsson.
It was a chance for nearly 200 restaurants to battle it out across 10 categories to see which venues stood out against their global peers. In all there were 127 guests representing their restaurants from 28 countries at the awards, which was held in partnership with the Swedish wine region Terra Skåne.
The Star Wine List of the Year competition, which The Buyer has been the media partner for in the UK since it launched, has quickly become arguably the most respected wine list awards as they are judged by some of the best sommeliers in the world, many of whom are past or current world sommeliers of the year.
The winners of this year’s global final categories were chosen by a panel of four master sommeliers made up of Piotr Pietras MS, Jonathan Gouveia MS and Stefan Neumann MS and Doug Frost MW MS.
The Master Sommeliers who made up the awards final judging panel
Gouveia described the opportunity to be part of the judging panel “is very similar to being a food critic at the world’s best restaurant”. He told the awards audience: “It’s both extremely humbling and terrifying at the same time. Who am I to value the work of all these incredible individuals, teams and venues, who have dedicated not only years, but decades to perfect their craft? All I can say is that we all applaud you, you are all winners, and bravo!”
This week’s global final was also a chance for the guests to explore Terra Skåne, one of Sweden’s fast-emerging winemaking regions, which is made up of four municipalities and 10 vineyards.
The finalists from all over the world had the chance to explore the Swedish wine region of Terra Skåne. Photograph by Photo by Terra Skåne / Anna Thorbjörnsson
Photo by Terra Skåne / Anna Thorbjörnsson.
in the northwestern part of the broader Skåne county. The finalists were given the chance to visit two vineyards, Kullabergs Vingård and Arilds Vingård and taste both wines from the region and then during the awards ceremony wines from the awards category partners.
The Winners
Best Long List
Krister Bengtsson on behalf of Le Coureur des Bois, with judge Jonathan Gouveia MS. Image by Terra Skåne / Anna Thorbjörnsson.
For wine lists with more than 600 references
Gold Star:
Le Coureur des Bois, Beloeil, Canada
What the judges said:
“An exciting and highly diverse wine list, showcasing an impressive breadth of styles, regions, and classic producers. France and the United States are particularly well represented, forming a strong backbone to the selection. The depth of iconic producers is remarkable and, as an added highlight, the sweet wine section is exceptional, featuring a fabulous line-up of ice wines.”
Piotr Pietras MS
Silver Stars:
Riviera, Riga, Latvia
Time to Wine Kopli 6, Tallinn, Estonia
Zarzo, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Restaurant Sans Cravate, Bruges, Belgium
Park Hotel Vossevangen, Voss, Norway
Geranium, Copenhagen, Denmark
FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai, UAE
Blue Penny Cellar at Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius, Mauritius
Mesa by José Avillez, Macau
Rockpool Bar & Grill Perth, Perth, Australia
Trattoria al Cacciatore della Subida, Cormons, Italy
Rekondo Restaurant, San Sebastián, Spain
Aira, Stockholm, Sweden
Le Taillevent, Paris, France
Doppo, London, UK
NéMo, Tokyo, Japan
temper. Wine Room & Lounge, Singapore
Atera, New York City, USA
COTE Miami, Miami, USA
Die Weinbank, Ehrenhausen, Austria
Weinkulturbar, Dresden, Germany
Park Hotel Vitznau, Vitznau, Switzerland
Star Wine List founder Krister Bengtsson presenting the global final awards
Best Medium-Sized List
Dreissigacker’s Samuel Kirr with Thanakorn Bottorff, Inddee. Image by Terra Skåne / Anna Thorbjörnsson.
Recognises the best wine list with 200-600 references
A category presented by Dreissigacker
Gold Star:
Inddee, Bangkok, Thailand
What the judges said:
“A list which captures your intention instantly. Imagine falling down the rabbit hole, but instead of just the Mad Hatter, you’re greeted by this sommelier and their incredible team, ready to guide you through the world of wine in all its facets and delights.”
Stefan Neumann MS
Silver Stars:
Barents, Riga, Latvia
Restaurant Pacai, Vilnius, Lithuania
Ecrin, Tallinn, Estonia
Racines Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
Ciel Bleu, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bellies, Stavanger, Norway
Ræst, Faroe Islands, Denmark
LPM Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Attenzione! Food & Wine, Sydney, Australia
Café Savoy, Prague, Czech Republic
Grub & Vine, Cape Town, South Africa
Kitchen Istanbul, San Francisco, USA
Andō, Hong Kong
El Faralló, Alicante, Spain
Fjällnäs Restaurant, Tänndalen, Sweden
Brasserie du Théâtre, Bourg-en-Bresse, France
Trivet, London, UK
CYCLE, Tokyo, Japan
Peasant, New York City, USA
The Four Horsemen, New York City, USA
The Joyce, Miami Beach, USA
Restaurant Esskultur, St. Jakob in Haus, Austria
Verōnika by Fotografiska, Berlin, Germany
The Omnia, Zermatt, Switzerland
Best Short List
Camilla Lindh, on behalf of Vintage, with Oddbird’s Moa Gürbüzer and Shassen Samaletdin. Image by Terra Skåne / Anna Thorbjörnsson.
Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings
A category presented by Oddbird
Gold Star:
Vintage, Kontich, Belgium
What the judges said:
“Creating a winning Short List is, arguably, far harder than writing a longer list. Sure, a Long List requires a lot of money and storage space but, to create a true sense of diversity, breadth and variety with only 200 choices demands massive creativity and insight. Our winner has a concise wine list that doesn’t sacrifice excitement or esteem by being short; instead, there are some stunning wines here, particularly from Burgundy. We think a visit to this establishment results in every bit as satisfying an experience as those with much thicker lists – only you don’t need to read for a half hour to decide upon a wine.”
Doug Frost MS MW
Silver Stars:
Demo Restoranas, Vilnius, Lithuania
Restaurant B7, Riga, Latvia
The Peacock Lounge, Tallinn, Estonia
De Matroos en het Meisje, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Zarathustra Meyhane, Oslo, Norway
Grimal, Copenhagen, Denmark
Tresind Studio, Dubai, UAE
Charley Noble Eatery & Bar, Wellington, New Zealand
Familiar Creature, Saratoga Springs, USA
Liath Restaurant, Dublin, Ireland
Prince and the Peacock, Hong Kong
Maestro Bar, Valencia, Spain
SOLEN, Stockholm, Sweden
Restaurant Janine, Paris, France
DakaDaka, London, UK
Bianca Omakase, Niseko, Japan
Haoma, Bangkok, Thailand
Pinch Chinese, New York City, USA
Boia De, Miami, USA
Selektion Vinothek Burgenland, Eisenstadt, Austria
Restaurant Bagatelle, Trier, Germany
169 West, Zürich, Switzerland
Best By-the-Glass List
Recognises the best ‘by-the-glass’ list
A category presented by Château Galoupet
Gold Star:
Sticks & Stones Wine Bar, Munich, Germany
What the judges said:
“The words ‘brilliance’ and ‘impossible’ are often overused. So with my most sincere tone, there is nothing on this list missing – it’s simply brilliant. Besides which, it’s impossible not to find something which brings joy to even the most sophisticated taste buds.”
Stefan Neumann MS
Silver Stars:
Riviera, Riga, Latvia
Gaspar’s, Vilnius, Lithuania
Veino, Tallinn, Estonia
Restaurant RJ, Texel, Netherlands
Zilte, Antwerp, Belgium
Vinland, Oslo, Norway
Visselulles Vinbar, Sønderborg, Denmark
Row on 45, Dubai, UAE
Constance Halaveli Maldives, Maldives, Maldives
Anchoita, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Culture Wine Bar, Cape Town, South Africa
Rocco, Lisbon, Portugal
Ten Minutes by Tractor, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne, Australia
Saddle, Madrid, Spain
Folii, Stockholm, Sweden
Les 110 de Taillevent Paris, Paris, France
Row on 5, London, UK
NéMo, Tokyo, Japan
Inddee, Bangkok, Thailand
Benoit New York, New York City, USA
Bourbon Steak Miami, Aventura, USA
Pub Klemo, Vienna, Austria
Restaurant Glacier, Grindelwald, Switzerland
Best Sparkling Wine List
Franciacorta’s Gualberto Ricci Curbastro with Laura Wall and Toni Aikasalo of Minne Champagne & Wine. Image by Terra Skåne / Anna Thorbjörnsson.
Recognises the best list for sparkling wines
A category presented by Franciacorta
Gold Star:
Minne Champagne & Wine, Helsinki, Finland
What the judges said:
“A truly masterful sparkling wine list goes beyond styles, regions and commercial appeal: you must not only champion Champagne across the maison and grower spectrum, you must transmit craft and quality from across the globe. Et voila! These exceptional people here have certainly managed to do so.”
Jonathan Gouveia MS
Silver Stars:
Veino, Tallinn, Estonia
Barents, Riga, Latvia
Kristoforas, Vilnius, Lithuania
Flore, Amsterdam, Netherlands
d'Oude Schuur, Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium
Speilsalen at Britannia Hotel, Trondheim, Norway
Champagnekælderen, Copenhagen, Denmark
FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai, UAE
Cru Bar & Cellar, Brisbane, Australia
Acquerello, San Francisco, USA
Archipel at Constance Prince Maurice, Mauritius, Mauritius
Gaddi's, Hong Kong
Rekondo Restaurant, San Sebastián, Spain
Champagnebaren Kyrkogatan 13, Gothenburg, Sweden
Le Wine Bar by Le Vintage, Reims, France
Row on 5, London, UK
NéMo, Tokyo, Japan
Convivial, Singapore
Coqodaq, New York City, USA
Sexy Fish, Miami, USA
Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, Obbürgen, Switzerland
Griggeler Stuba im Burg Vital Resort, Lech, Austria
Nobelhart und Schmutzig, Berlin, Germany
Best Newcomer List
Victor Dahl (Kullabergs Vingård; Terra Skåne) with Jason Jacobeit of Café Vivant and Ida Hedunger (Båstad Turism & Näringsliv; Terra Skåne). Image by Terra Skåne / Anna Thorbjörnsson.
Recognises a venue that has recently opened
A category presented by Terra Skåne
Gold Star:
Café Vivant, Menlo Park, US
What the judges said:
“As with any wine list, choices must be made: in this case, the restaurant has concentrated on certain producers or regions more than others. Fair enough; it’s difficult to be all things to everyone. But therein lies the personality of a wine list – which wines, regions and grapes are highlighted over others speaks volumes to the needs of the cuisine and the clientele. Our winner has created a list that is exciting to read, almost daring us to discover the charms of this Rhône producer or that California specialist. There are also so many half-bottle offerings that diners will be enticed to have more than one adventure at the table. This is how a great wine list enhances the dining experience.”
Doug Frost MS MW
Silver Stars:
Clos[er], Riga, Latvia
Oecumene, Vilnius, Lithuania
Ecrin, Tallinn, Estonia
Anthocyane, Namur, Belgium
CUE, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Kombo, Trondheim, Norway
aye aye, Copenhagen, Denmark
Kira Restaurant, Dubai, UAE
Jean-Pierre, Hong Kong
Lunacy, Cape Town, South Africa
Ristorante Albòri, Bellagio, Italy
The Cellar Dunedin, Dunedin, New Zealand
Pompa, Barcelona, Spain
Hållfjället, Ottsjö, Sweden
Quille, Cannes, France
Labombe by Trivet, London, UK
Raindrop, Osaka, Japan
temper. Wine Room & Lounge, Singapore
Saint Urban, New York City, USA
Ezio’s Miami, Miami Beach, USA
frigo, Vienna, Austria
Der Kleine August, Berlin, Germany
Brasserie l'Odéon Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
Sustainability Prize
Aleksander Teilgård of Restaurant Ark, with Daniel Rubiano of Familia Torres. Image by Terra Skåne / Anna Thorbjörnsson.
Assesses the sustainable commitment of both the wine list and broader venue via a supplementary questionnaire submitted during the application process
A category presented by Familia Torres
Gold Star:
Restaurant Ark, Copenhagen, Denmark
What the judges said:
“Sustainability in the restaurant industry is a far from an easy task. We all love to sing tales of our commitment, but true sustainability is a lifestyle. At this venue, every step of the process is a path towards a holistic mindset, from plant-based food to low-intervention wines, and every part of the workflow they affect.”
Jonathan Gouveia MS
Silver Stars:
Demo Restoranas, Vilnius, Lithuania
Fotografiska Tallinn, Tallinn, Estonia
Pavāru Māja, Līgatnē, Latvia
Restaurant SOBER, Tegelen, Netherlands
Vrijmoed, Ghent, Belgium
Restaurant K2, Stavanger, Norway
Baest, Copenhagen, Denmark
BOCA, Dubai, UAE
AUYL, Almaty, Kazakhstan
K'u'uk, Mérida, Mexico
Nolla, Helsinki, Finland
El Molino de Urdániz, Pamplona, Spain
Restaurang Jord, Linköping, Sweden
L'Asphodèle, Ploemeur, France
Restaurant St. Barts, London, UK
La Vigne Dining Fûdo, Nagano, Japan
Haoma, Bangkok, Thailand
Chambers, New York City, USA
Krüs Kitchen, Miami, USA
Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Miami, USA
169 West, Zürich, Switzerland
Trautentalwirt Gasthaus Rainer, Geistthal, Austria
Merold, Berlin, Germany
Best Austrian Wine List
Oliver Chramosta (Austrian Wine), Martin Pichel and Matthias Koll (Hotel Jagdhof), Patrick Eppacher (Austrian Wine). Image by Terra Skåne / Anna Thorbjörnsson.
Recognises the best list for the wines of Austria
A category presented by Austrian Wine
Gold Star:
Hotel Jagdhof, Röhrnbach, Germany
What the judges said:
“An Austrian list which is not only encyclopedic, but simultaneously contemporary while embracing tradition and culture. This is truly a beautiful ode to not just a grape variety, not just a region, but a country as a whole.”
Jonathan Gouveia MS
Silver Stars:
Riviera, Riga, Latvia
Shang Shi, Tallinn, Estonia
SOMM The Wine Bar, Vilnius, Lithuania
Paul de Pierre, Maarkedal, Belgium
Remouillage, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Happolati, Oslo, Norway
Geranium, Copenhagen, Denmark
Cru Bar & Cellar, Brisbane, Australia
Constance Halaveli Maldives, Maldives, Maldives
Le Coureur des Bois, Beloeil, Canada
Diva, Praslin, Seychelles
ECK Restaurant, Devín, Slovakia
PM & Vänner, Växjö, Sweden
Newcomer Wines, London, UK
Shimanouchi Fujimaru Winery, Osaka, Japan
Ms. Maria and Mr. Singh, Bangkok, Thailand
One White Street, New York City, USA
Park Hotel Vitznau, Vitznau, Switzerland
Best Italian Wine List
Gianpaolo Paterlini of Acquerello. Image by Terra Skåne / Anna Thorbjörnsson.
Recognises the best list for the wines of Italy
Gold Star:
Acquerello, San Francisco, US
What the judges said:
“This venerable restaurant offers an almost embarrassing multitude of Italian wines, including mature examples from some of the country’s greatest and most respected wineries. Many of these bottles are simply unattainable anywhere but here, at this venue, a place that has already earned its place in the pantheon (even without the wines). But it’s not just those ancient wines – the current selections are nearly endless, regardless of what region, DOC, grape or producer excites you most. This is truly one of the greatest collections of Italian wines that you will ever see.”
Doug Frost MS MW
Silver Stars:
Barents, Riga, Latvia
Monte Pacis, Kaunas, Lithuania
Time to Wine Rotermanni, Tallinn, Estonia
Racines Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
Zarzo, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Vino Bar Ålesund, Ålesund, Norway
Baest, Copenhagen, Denmark
Il Gattopardo Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Blue Penny Cellar at Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius, Mauritius
Mesa by José Avillez, Macau
Enoteca Boccaccio, Melbourne, Australia
Rosa Madre, Dublin, Ireland
Ambivium, Peñafiel, Spain
Berria Wine Bar, Madrid, Spain
Granen, Åre, Sweden
Tentazioni, Bordeaux, France
Doppo, London, UK
Raindrop, Osaka, Japan
Cannubi by Umberto Bombana, Bangkok, Thailand
Babbo, New York City, USA
Casa D'Angelo Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, USA
Sticks & Stones Wine Bar, Munich, Germany
Döllerer, Golling, Austria
Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, Obbürgen, Switzerland
Special Jury Prize
Alessandra Tasca and Samuel Worsfold of OMA (middle) surrounded by the team from New Generation Wines from Georgia. Image by Terra Skåne / Anna Thorbjörnsson.
Rewards a wine lovers’ place that does something out of the ordinary
A category presented by New Generations Wines from Georgia
Gold Star:
OMA, London, UK
What the winners said:
“This is unreal, thank you. We’re very, very happy. We didn’t expect it – we’re here for the wines! It’s good to be with so many passionate people, it’s totally unexpected, so thank you. Last year was amazing and we were just happy to be here again. Ours is a list inspired by the Mediterranean sea. We wanted to give a different approach to how we perceive geography in wine. The list is organised in a unique way. We have 3 sections: one is ‘influence of the sea’, and then we have ‘surrounded by the sea’ and then the ‘inland’ section. So we take you on a journey with the list – it’s like going on a holiday in the Mediterranean.”
Alessandra Tasca, OMA
What the judges said:
“When you see great art you just stop and stare! You do the same here, but with the biggest smile on your face and most certainly a good glass of wine in front of you.”
Stefan Neumann MS
Silver Stars:
Monte Pacis, Kaunas, Lithuania
Shang Shi, Tallinn, Estonia
BABO, Riga, Latvia
4850, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Arabelle Meirlaen, Marchin, Belgium
Territoriet, Oslo, Norway
Søllerød Kro, Copenhagen, Denmark
Nobu Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Andō, Hong Kong
Trattoria al Cacciatore della Subida, Cormons, Italy
Aubergine, Cape Town, South Africa
Copra, San Francisco, USA
Mayfair Lane, Perth, Australia
VII, Girona, Spain
Bar Nacka, Stockholm, Sweden
La Maison des Beaujolais, Belleville-en-Beaujolais, France
Maz, Tokyo, Japan
Jin Ting Wan, Singapore
Noreetuh, New York City, USA
Laurel, Miami Beach, USA
Glacis Beisl, Vienna, Austria
Horváth, Berlin, Germany
Njorden, Aubonne, Switzerland
* You can find out more about Star Wine List and its wine list awards here.
* You can see the winners of the Star Wine List of the Year UK of which The Buyer was media partner here.
