Bangkok restaurant won three Gold Stars in Asia – here are all the winners
On May 29, Star Wine List returned to Asia to celebrate the best wine lists and the teams behind them for the second time. 107 wine lists entered the competition and 44 lists made it to the finals. The celebration was held at Vinexpo in Hong Kong – and here we present all the winners!
“Asia is not a main wine producing continent, so we don't have a limitation when we select wine for our wine list. It is definitely the most dynamic continent with diversity. We never get bored when we judge the wine lists. And it is always hard for us to discuss who is the best as everyone is doing a perfect job. Well done Asia, thank you for submitting your lists, and keep the great work!" said jury member Reeze Choi, Third Best Sommelier of the World 2023 (ASI), about the competition.
Asia is included to our 2023-2024 International tour, and this was the second time we were running it in Asia. The winners are qualified for the International Final in Stockholm in June where they will face off with winners from around the world.
Wine lists from China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau made it to the finals, where Haoma in Bangkok was the big winner with Gold Stars in no less than three categories, including Grand Prix for best wine list overall. In last year's Star Wine List of the Year celebrations, Haoma won both Sustainable Wine List of the Year Asia – and International Sustainable Wine List of the Year in the international final.
Jury
The jury for the second Star Wine List of the Year competition in Asia included a top line-up of esteemed wine experts. The four-person panel consisted of:
• Heidi Mäkinen, Master of Wine
• Reeze Choi, Third Best Sommelier of the World 2023 (ASI)
• Pascaline Lepeltier, Best Sommelier of France 2018
• Julie Dupouy-Young, several times named the Best Sommelier of Ireland
Here are all the Gold Star and Silver Star winners:
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:
Grand Prix
– The best list overall
Winner:
Haoma, Bangkok, Thailand
"Thank you. In Bangkok, I would say in the last seven years we have had a lot of people start importing wine because they want to drink good wines. I think the wine business is a relationship business and we've been able to form good relationships. The better relationships you have, the better juice you get," Vishvas Sidana, Food and Beverage Director at Haoma.
“The Grand Prix does not only celebrate a restaurant driven by a remarkable philosophy, but also recognizes the energy put into offering a truly unique, beautiful wine and food experience. Bravo to Haoma for not resting on its laurel, but to keep on pushing and offering an even more exciting beverage program in its curation, in its design and more this year than last year!” said jury member Pascaline Lepeltier, Best Sommelier of France 2018, about Haoma's winning list.
Best Long List
– For wine lists with more than 600 references.
The category is presented by Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné
Gold Star:
Robuchon au Dôme, Macau
"Thank you Star Wine List, it's an honour for us," said Robuchon au Dôme's Paul Lo.
“It is definitely a great list because of the huge number of SKUs, and the fine wine collection is something that is rarely seen in Asia. Especially the selection of German wine. Straightforward layout, clear wine critic's point for customers reference," said jury member Reeze Choi.
Silver Stars:
Claudine, Singapore
Don Alfonso 1890, Macau
Ensue, Shenzhen, China
Gaddi's, Hong Kong
Les Copains, Seoul, South Korea
LQV Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Odette, Singapore
Park 90, Singapore
Tenuta by Park 90, Singapore
Best Medium-Sized List
– Recognizes the best wine list with 200-600 references.
The category is presented by Dreissigacker
Gold Star:
Inddee, Bangkok, Thailand
"Thank you! I am really happy. I really appreciate the award from the jury. I have really spent months making this list and I am really happy to be here," said Thanakorn “Jay” Bottorff, Head Sommelier at Inddee.
“It is already a great experience just to read the wine list. It is actually the most interesting lists I have ever seen. Not only a lot of interesting wine on the list, but also a very creative way to design the wine list. It is an innovative list, nearly perfect to me. Bangkok rocks!” said Reeze Choi.
Silver Stars:
Andō, Hong Kong
Bar Cyclone, Hong Kong
Basilico, Singapore
Chi-Fu, Osaka, Japan
Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic, Hong Kong
CYCLE, Tokyo, Japan
L'atelier par Yao, Taichung, Taiwan
MAZ, Tokyo, Japan
Yi Pavilion, Shenzhen, China
Best Short List
– Recognizes the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings.
Gold Star:
Haoma, Bangkok, Thailand
"I could not join last year so I am thrilled to be here. Especially since after last year when we got the award, I could see the effects and people are coming now to experience wine in the restaurant. Everybody thinks that Bangkok is a cocktail place but it's also a very underrated wine place. Thank you for all this," said Vishvas Sidana, Food and Beverage Director at Haoma.
“An eclectic and thoughtful list that blends with taste classics and more edgy references. Creative layout that demonstrates personality and care. A super list," said jury member Julie Dupouy-Young.
Silver Stars:
102 House Shanghai, Shanghai, China
Co-Chengdu, Chengdu, China
Embla, Hong Kong
Ho Lee Fook, Hong Kong
Mato Coffee Wine, Hong Kong
Ukai-tei, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Unwined Plus, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Best Austrian Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with wines from Austria
The category is presented by Austrian Wine
Gold Star:
Chi-Fu, Osaka, Japan
"I am very happy, thank you. I have to say thank you to Austrian wine, such a beautful award. I was sorry to not beaing able to go to Vienna last week, but next time I will be there, thank you very much," said Kei Tashiro, Director and Head Sommelier at Chi-Fu.
“This wine list shows Austrian wine in all its colours and styles, giving room both for classics and more revolutionary producers. The list is a great presentation of how exciting the Austrian wine world currently is," said jury member Heidi Mäkinen about the winning list.
Silver Stars:
Chef’s Table by Chef Stephan, Singapore
Gaa, Bangkok, Thailand
Ginza Soseki, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Ginza Soseki Arata, Irifune, Chuo, Tokyo, Japan
Inddee, Bangkok, Thailand
Ms. Maria and Mr. Singh, Bangkok, Thailand
Park 90, Singapore
Best Sparkling Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with sparkling wines.
The category is presented by Nyetimber
Gold Star:
Ensue, Shenzhen, China
"On behalf of the team, thank you all for your support and please come and visit us in Shenzhen, we're only a 15 minute ride away from Hong Kong!" said Ensue's Fiona To.
“The sparkling wines on this list are very international and carefully chosen to excite the guests. The broad champagne selection pays respect to the established houses, acknowledges the leading names of grower champagnes, and introduces new up and coming names," said jury member Heidi Mäkinen.
Silver Stars:
8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana Shanghai, Shanghai, China
Andō, Hong Kong
Chi-Fu, Osaka, Japan
Inddee, Bangkok, Thailand
Odette, Singapore
Robuchon au Dôme, Macau
Best California Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with wines from California
The category is presented by Louis M. Martini
Gold Star:
Park 90, Singapore
“California has been more energetic and alive than ever, and it is great to find a list showcasing at the same time iconic properties but also the new producers who are changing how America drinks: more terroir-driven, delicate wines. Bravo to Park 90 for understanding and highlighting the wines that customers want to drink!" said the jury's Pascaline Lepeltier.
Silver Stars:
Cesta, Seoul, South Korea
CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Marina Bay Sands Singapore, Singapore
de nuit, Taipei, Taiwan
Don Alfonso 1890, Macau
Ensue, Shenzhen, GChina
Robuchon au Dôme, Macau
Best By the Glass List
– Recognizes the best by the glass list.
The category is presented by Chateau Montus & Chateau Bouscassé
Gold Star:
Inddee, Bangkok, Thailand
"Wow, I did not expect to win this. I am very glad to be here. I am really glad to be part of Star Wine List and I’m happy to see so many of my old friends here," said Thanakorn “Jay” Bottorff, Head Sommelier.
“A creative, quirky, poetic but also fun list that offers an incredible content and lots of flexibility in the offering by the glass with different portion sizes, flights, origins of the wines and of course the styles available. Superb and eye-catching," said jury member Julie Dupouy-Young.
Silver Stars:
Andō, Hong Kong
Bar Cyclone, Hong Kong
Chi-Fu, Osaka, Japan
Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic, Hong Kong
Haoma, Bangkok, Thailand
MAZ, Tokyo, Japan
Potager, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Restaurant (Villa 32), Taipei, Taiwan
Best Newcomer List
– Recognizes a venue that recently opened
The category is presented by DAOU
Gold Star:
Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic, Hong Kong
“Creating such a poised, diverse, exciting, complex, wide-ranging yet focused beverage program – from the wines to the tea to the spirits – is not a small feat! The team at Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic really did an amazing job to offer one of the most stimulating programs in Asia," said Pascaline Lepeltier.
"I too am a newcomer in Hong Kong but I have worked for Anne-Sophie for seven years now. I want to thank her for believing in me a long time ago, and also to Paz Levinson (Chef sommelier for the group, Editor's note). She is an incredible sommelier and she helps me every day. Thank you so much," said Alexis Boisseau.
Silver Stars:
CYCLE, Tokyo, Japan
Don Alfonso 1890, Macau
Inddee, Bangkok, Thailand
Komuro 小室, Shenzhen, China
Le Mont, Singapore
Potager, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Unwined Plus, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Yi Pavilion, Shenzhen, China
Sustainable Wine List
– For the Sustainable Wine List category, not only the wine list is evaluated, but also the stated actions of the venue, as described through a questionnaire in the application.
Gold Star:
Haoma, Bangkok, Thailand
"It's all thanks to my chef partner, we started building the restaurant seven years ago. He challenged me to make a list that makes a difference. I am very thankful for this award," Vishvas Sidana, Food and Beverage Director at Haoma.
“This venue stands out by acknowledging that people are the most important part of our industry, and supports both local communities and the farmers of the carefully chosen and used produce. The ethos of the restaurant is well reflected on the wine list which earns all its merits," said Heidi Mäkinen.
Silver Stars:
Ăn Đi, Tokyo, Japan
Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic, Hong Kong
CYCLE, Tokyo, Japan
La Cabane, Hong Kong
La Dame de Pic Singapore, Singapore
Categories and criteria
Star Wine List judges the wine lists in several categories such as the Best Sparkling Wine List and Best By the Glass List. These categories are the same across all of the awards. In addition, local categories may be added. We have commercial partners for certain categories, such as the Best Austrian Wine List, presented by Austrian Wine. The commercial partners are, however, never involved in the selections of finalists or winners — that is completely up to our independent jury panel.
The criteria for the jury are straightforward but not simple: Vote for the most exciting wine list representing the category.
Read about the terms and how Star Wine List judges the wine lists here.
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Austrian Wine
The Austrian Wine Marketing Board is based in Vienna, and is a national service body for the Austrian wine industry. The aim is to strategically support, coordinate and maintain quality and sales.
Chateau Montus & Chateau Bouscassé
Château Montus and Château Bouscassé are two Brumont family estates located at the foot of the Pyrenees. The strength of the vineyards lies in the search for unique terroirs, indigenous grape varieties and a single environmental approach. Read more about Chateau Montus & Chateau Bouscassé here
Louis M. Martini
Louis M. Martini is an iconic Californian wine producer. Read more by clicking on the logo.
Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné
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DAOU
Read more about DAOU by clicking on the logo.
Nyetimber
English sparkling producer Nyetimber is the leading producer of sparkling wine in the country.
