Dinner by Heston Blumenthal Dubai has the UAE’s Best Bordeaux Wine List 2025
Dubai’s Dinner by Heston Blumenthal has this year’s best selection of wines from Bordeaux in the UAE. Here’s what the judges – and our category sponsor – had to say.
This week, we announced the winners of Star Wine List of the Year UAE 2025 at an awards ceremony in Dubai. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, located in the Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai, took the Gold Star for the Best Bordeaux Wine List in the country, a category supported by Château Tour des Termes.
Judge Salvatore Castano praised the list for its “outstanding range of Bordeaux wines showcasing great producers and vintages across not only the reds, but also the whites and sweet wines.”
The award was presented to Gordana Josovic, Head of Wine at the hotel, by Julien Brustis, CEO of Château Tour des Termes.
Julien took charge of the historic Saint-Estèphe estate in 2023 and calls the UAE “one of the most exciting and forward-thinking markets today. As we expand internationally since the 2023 takeover, it’s essential for us to understand the people who ultimately serve and enjoy our wines. We’re here [at Star Wine List of the Year] to meet the right people, understand the scene, and open the door to distribution. Connecting directly with sommeliers and leading venues allows us to introduce our fresh, modern Bordeaux style to a curious and influential audience.”
And what’s the one thing that UAE diners should know, or understand, about the wines of Bordeaux today?
“Bordeaux is changing,” says Julien. “Beyond the famous names, a new generation of estates is producing vibrant, precise, sustainable wines that are far more approachable than people think. UAE diners should know that Bordeaux now offers diversity, authenticity, and incredible value crafted for today’s tastes without losing its heritage.”
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal can now be found on our Gold Star map pin-pointing all of our UAE winners. Take a look!
Gold Star
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Dubai
Silver Stars
Amazónico, Dubai
Carine Restaurant, Dubai
COYA, Abu Dhabi
COYA, Dubai
FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
HANU, Dubai
Kira Restaurant, Dubai
La Dame De Pic, Dubai
Row on 45, Dubai
Expert jury panel
- Raimonds Tomsons – Best Sommelier of the World 2023 (ASI)
- Mikk Parre – Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024 (ASI)
- Salvatore Castano – Best Sommelier of Europe and Africa 2021 (ASI)
- Vincent Truong – Dubai-based wine expert and educator
Rules
The rules of the Star Wine List of the Year competition can be read in full, here.
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Château Tour des Termes
Château Tour des Termes is located north of Bordeaux in one of Saint-Estèphe's great terroirs. Recently acquired by Irish green entrepreneur Dr Eddie O'Connor, the team is dedicated to the future, focusing on sustainable and detail-oriented viticulture.
