Clos Maggiore and Rex Whistler Restaurant have both won Wine List of the Year and Texture has scooped Champagne List of the Year. The annual competition is run by our sister, on-trade magazine Imbibe and sponsored by Champagne Louis Roederer.
Clos Maggiore was praised by judges, which included expert wine buyers and sommeliers, for an accessible list that features an immense range of wines. The list is almost 100 pages long and judge Neil Bruce from Studio Alto said, ‘I’d say 80% of what you want is in the first 20% of pages.
‘It’s a really good way of making a huge list navigable. Those first eight pages would be a great wine list on their own.’ Judges went on to praise the list for its ‘irresistible package’.
Rex Whistler’s list is shorter at 40 pages but praised for different reasons. Judge and Imbibe editor Chris Losh said, ‘This is a list that embraces history, both in the charming way that it breaks up sections with pages from Rex Whistler lists of yesteryear and in the impressive number of older bottles that are clearly bought young and aged in situ.’
Champagne winner Texture was praised for the breadth of producers represented on its list - some 45 - stretching the entire region. ‘This is a real champagne-lovers’ list,’ praised Bruce. ‘You’re bound to find something you like.’
10 Greek Street took Great Value Wine List of the Year, while Allium Brasserie was named Hotel Wine List of the Year. Wine Bar List of the Year went to Vinoteca and Steakhouse & Grill Wine List of the Year was picked up by The Big Easy Bar.BQ & Crabshack. Camino took the Spanish gong and Bell’s Diner and Bar Rooms won Small Wine List of the Year. The One Page award went to The Vintry and Country Inn Wine List of the Year was picked up by The Wheatsheaf Inn, Northleach.