The Drinks Association has joined with Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards once again as it's Official Trade Partner via Drinks Trade magazine.
The Awards recognise the talented creators of Australia’s leading wine and beverage lists for their knowledge and experience.
“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."
Entries are now open and sommeliers and business owners have until March 9, 2020 to submit their lists to the judges.
With the 30-strong judging panel including highly respected local and international Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, wine communicators and previous award winners plus Sommeliers Australia representatives assessing each year’s lists - this is the award to win for sommeliers and owners, restaurateurs, hoteliers, club and wine bar managers.
Lists are ranked with one to three glasses. The best of the best are then in contention for the highly prized Category awards. In addition to best list in the country and best in each state, entrants can also submit their lists in a diverse range of categories including geographical and venue type as well as special categories such as best listings of wines by the glass, best food and wine matching, beverage specialities and lists showcasing states or regions.
Since the awards were first established in 1993 by Rob and Judy Hirst and Tucker Seabrook, the quality of Australian wine lists has grown in line with the exceptional cuisine now offered across Australia’s restaurants, wine bars, hotels, clubs and pubs.
This unprecedented growth in the quality of Australia’s wine lists is reflected in the results now being achieved by the Australia’s Awards entrants – from nine three-glass lists in 1994 to 148 three-glass lists in 2019 - an enormous leap.
According to Hirst, the most popular award category at last year’s 2019 awards was again Best Wine by the Glass List.
“This was followed by Best Matching of Food and Wine – reflecting again the ever closer liaison now occurring between sommeliers and chefs," he said.
"These categories were closely followed in popularity by Best Listing of a Regions Wines and Best Listing of Australian Wines showing the desire to showcase the exciting work of local producers alongside imported wines and spirits”.
Visit winelistoftheyear.com.au for more information