The Buyer
UK Wine List of the Year: 2021 finalists announced

UK Wine List of the Year: 2021 finalists announced

The finalists in the inaugural UK Wine List of the Year awards, co-hosted by The Buyer and Star Wine List have been announced. These awards have been introduced to recognise the work that goes on behind the scenes to reward and recognise the sommeliers and buyers responsible for working with their suppliers to compile the most dynamic wine lists in the country. What’s more the finalists are decided by the all sommelier judging panel featuring former Best Sommeliers in the world. The winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony at 6pm (GMT) on February 22.

Richard Siddle
18th February 2021by Richard Siddle
posted in Awards,

The UK Wine List Awards offers an opportunity for restaurants, bars and hotels to showcase the quality and diversity of their wine offer and gives them a chance to celebrate and showcase the work they put into their wine lists when they are finally allowed to re-open.

To watch the live streaming of the awards ceremony at 6pm February 22 click here on Facebook and for YouTube link here.

The Buyer has teamed up with Star Wine List to help give the UK on-trade an extra fillip to come out of lockdown on the front foot. The competition was only launched in December yet has attracted a large number of entries willing to put their wine lists up to the scrutiny of the award winning panel of world leading sommeliers.

The awards are also part of the wider global awards run by Star Wine List that has seen it run similar events in countries all over the world, in partnership with Austrian Wine. The winners of the same global categories will then go towards a global final to be held in May.

The competition invited any on-trade outlet to enter their list, and also included those restaurants that are already part of the Star Wine List for the UK.

Richard Siddle, editor-in-chief of The Buyer, who will be helping present the awards on February 22, says: “It has been great to see so many quality venues enter the first year of the competition, particularly as they are currently having to work away with their doors closed. The sommelier judging panel certainly had their work cut out to come up with our list of finalists and our thanks goes out to them for the time and commitment they have given to identify the shortlists and winning outlets.”

Krister Bengtsson, founder of Star Wine List, adds: “The lockdowns continue and we can’t wait to go out again. While we long for better days, let’s celebrate the great selections in the UK together.”

Judging panel

The judging panel for the UK Wine List of the Year was chaired by Ruth Spivey, UK ambassador for Star Wine List and included:

UK Wine List of the Year judge Marc Almert is the current Best Sommelier of the World

  • Arvid Rosengren, 2016 Best Sommelier of the World
  • Paz Levinson, Best Sommelier of Argentina and the Americas
  • Pascaline Lepeltier, 2018 Best Sommelier of France
  • Marc Almert, 2019 Best Sommelier of the World
  • Lu Yang MS, Best Sommelier of China.

The 2021 UK Wine List of the Year Finalists

Grand Prix:

For the top UK wine list overall, sponsored by Austrian Wine

Finalists:

  • Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
  • Cabotte
  • Compagnie des vins surnaturels Seven Dials
  • Davies & Brook
  • Les 110 de Taillevent
  • Noble Rot
  • Noble Rot Soho
  • Vineyard at Stockcross

Austrian Wine List

Sponsored by Austrian Wine

Finalists:

  • Davies & Brook
  • Dinner by Heston
  • Newcomer Wines
  • Trivet
  • Vineyard at Stockcross

Sommelier Paz Levinson joined the UK Wine List of the Year judging panel

By The Glass

Sponsored by Fine Wines Direct UK

Finalists:

  • Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
  • Blackbook Soho
  • Cabotte
  • Davies & Brook
  • Les 110 de Taillevent
  • Noble Rot
  • Noble Rot Soho

Special Jury Prize

Recognises a venue that has done something extra with their wine list, such as the direction, the style or the value.

Sponsored by SOWINE

Finalists:

  • Andrew Edmunds
  • Hill & Szrok
  • Hunan
  • Levan
  • Newcomer Wines
  • Trivet

Arvid Rosengren joined the judging panel from his base in New York

Best Short List

Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 250 listings

Finalists:

  • 28°-50° Marylebone
  • Brat
  • Hill & Szrok
  • Leroy
  • Portland
  • Sager + Wilde Hackney Rd

German Wine List

Sponsored by Wines of Germany

Finalists:

  • Davies & Brook
  • Hide
  • Moor Hall
  • Noble Rot
  • Trivet
  • Vineyard at Stockcross

Pascaline Lepeltier will be sharing her insights into UK wine lists as part of the awards ceremony on February 22

California Wine List

Sponsored by California Wines

Finalists:

  • Core by Clare Smyth
  • Davies & Brook
  • Dinner by Heston
  • Hide
  • Pollen Street Social
  • Vineyard at Stockcross

New Zealand Wine List

Sponsored by New Zealand Wine

Finalists:

  • Chez Bruce
  • City Social
  • Hide
  • Pollen Street Social
  • Vineyard at Stockcross

Lu Yang MS, Best Sommelier of China award winner and judge in the UK Wine List of the Year awards.

Lockdown Wine List

To highlight venues that adapted their business model to carry on selling wine to their customers throughout lockdown.

Sponsored by Bibendum

Finalists:

  • Bubbledogs/Bubbleshop
  • Gusto Pronto Pubs & Brewery
  • Red Lion & Sun
  • Sager + Wilde
  • Top Cuvee
  • Vinoteca City

Rhône Wine List

Sponsored by Côtes du Rhône

Finalists:

  • Authentique
  • Compagnie des vins surnaturels Seven Dials
  • Davies & Brook
  • Hide
  • Les 110 de Taillevent
  • Vineyard at Stockcross

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