South African Wine List Awards: Winners announced
The results of the SA Wine List of the Year Awards organised by MSquared and powered by Food24 have been released today.
Michael Olivier from MSquared says “As a convenor of Wine List Competitions for five years, launching our own independent Awards this year has made it very special to receive these lists and see the quality of the choices being offered.
In particular, it’s been really good to see all the Long Lists getting 3 flute awards which is an indication of the care taken by their compilers. For our first year, the numbers entering the awards have been gratifying, and we look forward to more entries next year now that this competition has set a benchmark for the future.”
Most accessible awards to date
The lists were all reviewed by two experienced judges from a panel including journalists, reviewers, chefs, winemakers and other industry professionals before they were awarded either 1,2 or 3 flutes in their selected category. An innovative move made the awards far more accessible than any others to smaller restaurants with simpler wine list needs.
The categories were divided into three – Short, Medium and Long – so there was no barrier to any eating establishment, whatever its size, having an opportunity to excel. As one of the judges, I believe that the Short List category is actually the most important in terms of transforming wine lists and I hope that once people realise that small CAN be beautiful, they will ensure that even a 20-wine list can be thoughtful, attractive and satisfying.
Food24 is delighted to be associated with these awards and congratulates the winners at all levels.
The National Award Winners are as follows – Best Short List goes to The Blue Train, Best Medium List goes to Pondoro Game Lodge, Best Long List to Ellerman House and Best Wine by the Glass List to Rhapsody’s, Lynwood.
CLICK HERE for the full set of results.