04 Jun 2017
2023 China’s Wine List of the Year Winners Announced!
And the winners are …….
*China’s Wine List of the Year 2017 – Mainland China
The House of Roosevelt – Shanghai
As custodian of this winning list, the Award for
China’s ‘Outstanding Sommelier’ of the Year 2017 – Mainland China goes to
King Wang
“The House of Roosevelt is so carefully curated that it impresses for much more than its extensive size. The sparkling wines, for example, offer a wonderful range of Champagnes from the luxury marques to some exciting growers labels; premium regions like Franciacorta and the Napa, with the addition of the less-well-known bubblies of countries such as Germany and Chile. The scene is set with the Sommelier’s Recommendations – a mouth-watering collection of some of the less-readily available classic wines of the world balanced by cutting-edge producers from all corners of the vinous globe. This is a classy list prepared and presented by staff who obviously care deeply about the wines they offer their customers” – Co-Chairman Peter Forrestal
*China’s Wine List of the Year 2017 – Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan
Yan Toh Heen – Hong Kong
As custodian of this winning list, the Award for
China’s ‘Outstanding Sommelier’ 2017 – Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan goes to
Andy Au
“It’s the clever choices that the Sommelier makes; the neat balance that he achieves in offering many of the world’s finest wines alongside those which will intrigue wine lovers that sets the list at Yan Toh Heen apart. The restaurant at the Hong Kong Intercontinental offers depth in its listing of classic wines from around the world. Its modestly-priced by the glass collection tantalises with emerging favourites from the nooks and crannies of the globe. For those looking to celebrate a special occasion or to treat themselves, the list showcases its Ultimate Selections: outstanding vintages of spectacular wines. Sheer class!” Co-Chairman Peter Forrestal.
The big winners again in 2017 with China’s Wine List of the Year Awards are greater China’s Hospitality and Tourism Industries and China’s discerning Consumer across the entire country.
Every year the standard of the Lists representing those industries and available to those consumers continues to rise with the average Glass score awarded across greater China in 2017 now at a record 1.6 Glasses per entry! 2 Glass winners rose by 7% to a record 29.6% of entries and together with 3 Glass winners these two outstanding Glass levels now account for almost 50% of all entries! The 36% of entrants that achieved the very good 1 Glass level underpins the overall standard of the lists across all of China ensuring that this standard continues to grow – 86% of entries are now earning and winning an Award!
Again in 2017 the most popular categories entered by applicants were – Best by the Glass Wine List, followed by Best Food and Wine Matching Wine List. These two were followed closely by Best Champagne List and Best Sparkling Wine List, and Best Listing of One Country’s Wines – which reflects a growing interest in Country / Region specialisation, and also Best Listing of Chinese Wines – a very healthy trend for China’s growing domestic wine industry!
Interesting also in 2017 is the doubling of Club Wine List entries and International Airline Wine List entries – great for the discerning tourist, and also the record growth in entries from outlets with under 100 wines on their Wine List – the Best Medium Wine List Category, with judges recognising that it is perhaps harder to create a good small list than it is to create a good large list.
Quote from 2017 Co-Chairman Peter Forrestal ………………………………
“Once again, China’s Wine List of the Year has enabled restaurateurs and sommeliers to showcase the country’s finest lists. In its fifth year, the judges have rewarded those wine lists which have been most carefully curated: looking for the depth and breadth of the sommelier’s selections, the balance in the ever-evolving collections of wine, as well as rewarding the finesse with which the lists are presented to the restaurant’s clientele. The resurgence in the Shanghai scene which we saw last year, continues apace with Hong Kong showing similar energy and attention to detail in offering the finest of the world’s wines with flair and panache. Those two cities have dominated the plethora of awards presented as part of China’s Wine List of the Year. The judges have noted significant advances in the presentation of wines by the glass and the care taken with small lists as well as with the quality of the lists overall. They believe that there is now more attention given to the local wines than previously – and yet would encourage even greater listing of Chinese wines.
China is one of the world’s most important fine wine markets and the improvements made in recent years in the quality and presentation of wine lists will help it cement its position on the world stage.”
Quote from 2017 Co-Chairman Brian Julyan MS………………………………..
“The excellent progress of the Sommelier scene in China is evidenced by the continued development of the wine lists shown in this year’s competition. The restaurants, styles of cuisine and market position are being well matched with ably suitable wine options, both in the main sections of the lists as well as in the WBTG programmes. The customers who are looking for a wine experience rather than a perfect food and wine match will also be attracted to the excellent range of alternative wines which are being offered. Chinese wines are becoming an integral part of most lists, reflecting the recognition they are now receiving and one can see the opportunity being taken of widening these choices in the WBTG lists. As in past years, the differing establishments offer a range of selections which illustrate the attention to detail, knowledge of vintages and a clear enthusiasm for this wonderful product.”
AWARD WINNERS & FINALISTS
China’s Wine List of the Year – Mainland China – The House of Roosevelt – Shanghai
China’s ‘Outstanding Sommelier’ – Mainland China – King Wang
China’s Wine List of the Year– Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan – Yan Toh Heen – Hong Kong
China’s ‘Outstanding Sommelier’ – Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan – Andy Au
CHINA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR – FINALISTS
CHINA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR – HALL OF FAME
BEST WINE LIST – EASTERN CHINA – sponsored by Champagne Besserat de Bellefon
BEST WINE LIST – NORTHERN CHINA – sponsored by New Zealand Wine
BEST WINE LIST – SOUTHERN CHINA – sponsored by Rioja
BEST WINE LIST – WESTERN CHINA – sponsored by Wine Australia
BEST WINE LIST – HONG KONG SRA
BEST WINE LIST – MACAU SRA – sponsored by Nongfu Spring
BEST WINE LIST – TAIWAN
BEST INDEPENDENT RESTAURANT WINE LIST
BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT WINE LIST
BEST CLUB WINE LIST – sponsored by Henkell
BEST WINE BAR LIST – sponsored by Roupa Wine Glass
BEST NEW WINE LIST – opened in last year – sponsored by Wine Australia
BEST SMALL WINE LIST – 50 wines maximum– sponsored by Vintae
BEST MEDIUM WINE LIST – 100 wines maximum
BEST WINES BY THE GLASS LIST
BEST FOOD & WINE MATCHING – sponsored by Rioja
BEST CHAMPAGNE LIST – sponsored by Champagne Besserat de Bellefon
BEST SPARKLING WINE LIST – sponsored by Henkell
BEST LISTING OF CHINESE WINES – sponsored by Pagoda Brand
BEST LISTING OF CHINESE RICE WINES – sponsored by Pagoda Brand
BEST LISTING OF AUSTRALIAN WINES – sponsored by Wine Australia
BEST LISTING OF NEW ZEALAND WINES – sponsored by New Zealand Wine
BEST LISTING OF SPANISH WINES – sponsored by Rioja
BEST SELECTION OF ONE COUNTRY’S WINES – sponsored by Disznoko
BEST APERITIF LIST – sponsored by New Zealand Wine
BEST DIGESTIF LIST – sponsored by Disznoko
BEST BEER LIST – sponsored by New Zealand Wine
BEST LISTING OF NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE WINE LIST
BEST HOTEL GROUP WINE LIST – sponsored by Nongfu Spring
EXCELLENT
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
OUTSTANDING
Peninsula Group
Four Seasons Hotel Group
BEST ‘Wines by the Glass’ LIST in a HOTEL GROUP
EXCELLENT
Kerry Hotels
OUTSTANDING
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Peninsula Group
BEST RESTAURANT CHAIN WINE LIST
EXCELLENT
8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana Chain
OUTSTANDING
Robuchon Group
Landry’s Restaurant Group
Henkes / Mr Willis Group
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Website: www.winelistoftheyear.cn
Email: awards@winelistoftheyear.com
TRADE ENQUIRIES –PLEASE CONTACT:
awards@winelistoftheyear.com for English enquiries
michael.zhang@vinehoo.com for Chinese enquiries
MEDIA ENQUIRIES –PLEASE CONTACT:
awards@winelistoftheyear.com for English enquiries
michael.zhang@vinehoo.com for Chinese enquiries
~ THANK YOU ~
On behalf of the Tourism and Hospitality Industries across greater China and discerning
consumers everywhere our sincere thanks to our Partners and Sponsors below who have
made these Awards possible
CHINA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR – 2017
Mainland China: The House of Roosevelt – Shanghai
The House of Roosevelt has an extensive wine list which impresses for a great deal more than its size. The Sommelier’s Recommendations offer an adventurous listing covering a wide range of both white and red varietals from all corners of the globe. The bubblies surprise by including lesser-known Champagne producers and regions such as Franciacorta and the Napa. The world-wide coverage of sparklings includes examples from Chile and Germany. There’s depth, too, in the Champagne listing and, for example, in the coverage of Australian whites where modestly-priced commercial wines sit alongside some of the country’s finest: Grosset ‘Polish Hill’, Penfolds ‘Yattarna’, By Farr, Leeuwin Estate ‘Art Series’. There’s the expected listings from New Zealand and South Africa along with the less-obvious wines of Canada. The volume is turned up when it comes to the depth of the French selection. Italy also delights yet with the rest of Europe comes Switzerland and Greece. Something different!
China is well-represented with its reds as a prelude to even larger collections from other parts of the world than the whites. Australian shiraz, New Zealand pinots, reds from Argentina, Chile and Brazil, and Napa cabernet. The range and depth of Bordeaux reds is remarkable, from modestly-priced to expensive: finishing with some mouth-watering verticals of the First Growths. Burgundy is given similar treatment while the Rhone Valley, although less numerous, is a formidable presence. Italy and Spain receive specialist treatment with more depth than found in most restaurants.
The staff at The House of Roosevelt know and appreciate wine and this shows with the care they take in selecting a list which will inevitably enhance the experience of dining there.” Co-Chairman of Judges, Peter Forrestal.
Hong Kong – Macau – Taiwan: Yan Toh Heen – Hong Kong
“The Intercontinental in Hong Kong is home to this outstanding list. While it is a large list, and so can boast depth in its most important section, what impresses most is the thoughtful way the list is curated rather than its size. For evidence of this, look no further than its wines by the glass. There are 20 wines with each chosen to impress. Alongside some more predictable choices, there is a Belle Epoque champagne, a shiraz from Thailand, a Chateau Musar from the Lebanon and a Cloudy Bay Pinot. The Champagne collection itself is impeccably chosen.
The four wines featured from China show the local industry in the best possible light. So, too, is the selection of Chinese rice wines with its sampler tasting so that those interested can compare three very different rice wines. The choice of Australian chardonnays, for example, is extraordinarily strong. The Ultimate Selection sets aside 150 of the most prized, most expensive wines on the list. The choice is aspirational, what any serious wine lover would dream about: some of the world’s rarest and finest wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Napa with just a couple from Italy, Spain and Australia. But the fact that they are in a section apart adds strength to the list and emphasises that, for most of us this is of another world. The carefully manicured world of Yan Toh Heen will give great satisfaction to its clientele.” Co-Chairman of Judges, Peter Forrestal
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