Condé Nast Johansens has announced the winners of the Champagne Taittinger UK Wine List Awards 2014.
Commenting on the entries, head judge Sarah Jane Evans, Master of Wine, highlighted the excellent value for money evident in a great many of the lists, and also noted the increase in promotional and creative activities around the exploration, education and enjoyment of wine to draw in the guest, as well as the offer of a more extensive and interesting range of wines by the glass and carafe’s to encourage experimentation. Easy to read and well-designed lists to invite the reader to delve in and explore further were amongst the high scorers.
The Winners
The Overall Winner – The Pig, Hampshire.
“This is a very readable as well as superbly adventurous list with plenty of choice and certainly goes the whole hog as to what comprises an excellent, all round wine list. It is also great fun with its mix of tasting notes, snippets of information and even decanters for two. It is achingly cool, a list for the modern world and with no exception, a stand out winner.”
Overall winner finalists – The Bell at Skenfrith, Monmouthshire (“a personal list with great personality”) and Linthwaite House Hotel, Cumbria (“a definite wine lovers list for the adventurous.”)
Category Winner – Best Champagne List
The Bell at Skenfrith, Monmouthshire. The judges commented “This list is descriptive, educative, chatty and very approachable and encourages the reader to learn more about Champagne in a chatty and friendly style. Top marks!”
Category Winner – Most Innovative and Exciting Wine List
The Pig, Hampshire. The judges described this as “A list you immediately want to explore. It oozes personality, quirky additions and its approachable design engages its reader from beginning to end.”
Category Winner – Best Value for Money
Dormy House. Worcestershire. The judges remarked “This list shows that you can be a top end establishment yet still offer value for money wines. In this climate, a wine list offering sensible pricing and a good selection scores brownie points – this list reflects this well.”
Category Winner – Best Choice of Wine by the Glass
Vineyard at Stockcross, Berkshire
The judges said “The list ticks all the boxes, but an outstanding feature in particular is the wide selection and adventurous choice of wines by the glass which encourages the diner to experiment and enjoy being tempted. A stand out winner!”
Special Commendations
‘As Nature Intended’ – Best Bio-Dynamic and Organic Wine Selection – Gidleigh Park, Devon
“The range and diversity of this list is outstanding and it is clear that the sommelier has done their homework.”
Customer Friendly Wine List – Langdon Court, Cornwall
“A beautifully presented and constructed list. It gets 10 out of 10 for its user friendliness.”
Events and Wine Education – Vineyard at Stockcross, Berkshire
“This list goes out of its way to engage the customer in a multitude of educative as well as fun events all wrapped around a stellar wine list. Top marks.”