“Care, expertise and diversity” unite the winners of Star Wine List of the Year Belgium 2024
The winners of Star Wine List of the Year Belgium were announced at an awards ceremony in Ghent on Sunday, 17 November 2024.
Founder and Publisher Krister Bengtsson hosted the event during the Best Sommelier of Belgium competition, which was won by Margaux Balemans. He was joined by Editor Rachel Fellows to hand out Gold Stars to the winners in 10 categories, with Maarkedal restaurant Paul de Pierre scooping the night’s highest honour – the Grand Prix – along with two other awards.
“As a jury, it was incredibly challenging to select the winners for each category, as the quality of the wine lists we encountered was exceptionally high,” said judge, sommelier Salvatore Castano. “The level of care, expertise, and diversity reflected in each list made the decision-making process both rewarding and difficult.”
A Special Jury Prize was awarded to Bruges’ Restaurant Sans Cravate for its “creative, pioneering, balanced” list. According to judge Nina Jensen, this place “thinks outside the box of what we normally understand by a long wine list.”
Castano and Jensen were joined on the jury panel by Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS, another accomplished sommelier and Star Wine List’s London Ambassador.
The winners in the international categories will now be entered into our International Final, which will take place in June 2025, to compete against the Gold Medal winners from our events in other countries.
In the meantime, meet our Belgian champions.
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:
Grand Prix
– The best list overall.
Gold Star:
Paul de Pierre, Maarkedal
What the winners said:
“I think as sommeliers we’re more than just wine servers and I love sake, I love to have a lot of beer and Lambic, and we’re in Belgium so of course Belgian beers ... I love that the jury look further than only the wines, so not only the wines matter but all the stuff you get on the wine list. That’s also an amazing thing.”
– Paul-Henri Cuvelier, Paul de Pierre
What the judges said:
“We’ve awarded this as a ‘Grand Prix’ wine list for its outstanding quality. A beautifully curated wine selection overall, it features an impressive vertical selection of top producers, offering depth and variety. Additionally, the list showcases one of the finest collections of Lambic and Belgian beers we've encountered, making it a standout choice for both wine and beer lovers.”
– Salvatore Castano
Best Long List
– For wine lists with more than 600 references.
This category is presented by Chateau d’Esclans
Gold Star:
Paul de Pierre, Maarkedal
What the winners said:
“I don’t really have a wine philosophy – I just like buying wines that I enjoy. And there is one person that doesn’t like my wine list and that’s my accountant - that’s it! Because I buy way more than I sell but, see, all the wines I'm buying, I like to drink myself – worst case, I’ll drink them all.”
– Paul-Henri Cuvelier, Paul de Pierre
What the judges said:
“In the category ‘Best Long List,’ we find a charismatic list full of personality and precision, where one can indulge in local wines, great icons and hidden gems, represented with a good amount of back vintages. Add to that a unique by-the-glass program and great pricing, and you have this winner.”
– Nina Jensen
Silver Stars:
Boury, Roeselare
d'Oude Schuur, Sint-Martens-Latem
Pur Boeuf, Berlare
Restaurant Sans Cravate, Bruges
Tablàvins, Knokke-Heist
Terminus, Watou
Zilte, Antwerp
Best Medium-Sized List
– Recognises the best wine list with 200-600 references.
This category is presented by Le Wine
Gold Star:
Fine Fleur, Antwerp
What the winners said:
“My wine philosophy? I think the most important part is that you have diversity in your wine list and a lot of elegance, a lot of intensity, very broad approach; don’t be shy about looking for new things, for something to experience.”
– Hannes Hooyberghs, Fine Fleur
What the judges said:
“On the ‘Medium-Sized List,’ the one we have chosen offers a well-curated range of wines, from everyday essentials to unique finds, striking the perfect balance between quality and affordability. With a diverse selection and competitive pricing, this list stands out as a reliable choice for both casual drinkers and wine enthusiasts alike, making it well deserving of top recognition.”
– Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS
Silver Stars:
Bistrot l’îlot, Antwerp
Dome, Antwerp
Les Caves d'Alex, Brussels
Ona, Ghent
Racines Bruxelles, Brussels
Sir Kwinten, Lennik
Vin d'Où, Antwerp
Vrijmoed, Ghent
Best Short List
– Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings.
Gold Star:
Vintage, Kontich
What the winners said:
“It’s a great feeling. We work very hard to get a wine list that everybody’s happy with. I’m very happy with the prize.”
– Steven Wullaert, Vintage
What the judges said:
“A strong ‘Short List’ winner with a very well-curated selection of producers and wines, as well as a variety of price points.”
– Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS
Silver Stars:
Jerom, Antwerp
Restaurant Alain Bianchin, Overijse
Restaurant les Coulisses, Namur
Restaurant Lizanna, Putte
Restaurant Nast, Izegem
Restaurant Terroir, Gierle
Ta-nnin, Antwerp
Best Sparkling Wine List
– Recognises the best list for sparkling wines.
Gold Star:
d'Oude Schuur, Sint-Martens-Latem
What the winners said:
“We did it together [my father and I], so it’s very nice. A lot of Champagne – some small producers but also big houses, and some vintages.”
– Matisse D’Hoye, d'Oude Schuur
What the judges said:
“We’ve awarded this list as the best for sparkling wines due to its elegance and precision. Featuring exceptional producers, it showcases a refined selection that highlights both quality and craftsmanship, making it the perfect choice for those seeking the finest sparkling wines.”
– Salvatore Castano
Silver Stars:
Boury, Roeselare
Danieli Il Divino, Antwerp
Paul de Pierre, Maarkedal
Restaurant Sans Cravate, Bruges
Sir Kwinten, Lennik
Terminus, Watou
Zilte, Antwerp
Best By the Glass List
– Recognises the best 'by the glass' list.
This category is presented by Young Charly
Gold Star:
Zilte, Antwerp
What the winners said:
“Last year, this was the one award that I really wanted. We're not working with the pairings that people expect. We actually prefer to ask at the table what people like to drink.”
– Aaron Moeraert, Zilte
What the judges said:
“Offering a great by-the-glass program gives the opportunity of discovery. That is exactly what this list does so well; comprehensive in terms of categories, with tempting choices in each of them, and including benchmark wines. It is so well curated, that it is almost a small wine list in itself.”
– Nina Jensen
Silver Stars:
Ona, Ghent
Paul de Pierre, Maarkedal
Racines Bruxelles, Brussels
Robijn Wine&Food, Genk
Tablàvins, Knokke-Heist
Terminus, Watou
Vrijmoed, Ghent
Best Austrian Wine List
– Recognises the best list for wines from Austria.
This category is presented by Austrian Wine
Gold Star:
Paul de Pierre, Maarkedal
What the winners said:
“Thank you. It’s nice. Last year, we won the same award so we’re very grateful. Austria offers so many amazing wines of freshness and complexity, so I love the wines.”
– Paul-Henri Cuvelier, Paul de Pierre
What the judges said:
“The winning list has a wide range of Austrian styles and grape varieties, as well as producers and vintages.”
– Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS
Silver Stars:
Moretti, Hasselt
Pur Boeuf, Berlare
Restaurant Imprévu by De Barrier, Houthalen-Helchteren
Terminus, Watou
Best Newcomer List
– Recognises a venue that has recently opened.
Gold Star:
Bar Julien, Antwerp
What the winners said:
“Congrats to everybody who won already. There’s a lot of passion. Thanks for the support of family and also my fiancé. [Opening has been] fun, actually. For me it’s also a social thing – I love it.”
– Julien Toussaint, Bar Julien
What the judges said:
“A concise and easy-to-navigate list, yet not short on delicious and iconic wines.”
– Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS
Silver Stars:
Amici, Sint-Martens-Latem
Cella Restaurant & Bar, Antwerp
Flambée, Roeselare
Sustainable Wine List
– Recognises a wine list that has put extra emphasis on the wine program’s overall impact, including vine growing, winemaking, packaging and transport.
Gold Star:
Ona, Ghent
What the winners said:
“Sustainability and terroir are very important for us. And, also, we want our children to drink lots of wine and I think there’s a lot of pressure with winemaking on the environment, so that’s something that we do think about. And we want to support the wineries and the people who make wine ... Also, we’re in this natural wine movement and this vibe, and it’s always something that was very strong in Ghent, the city that we were in; we love wines and we don’t want to put ourselves in this category of like ‘we’re only natural wine’ or ‘we’re only conventional’ – for us it was more like the whole process, and it still is, and that’s something that’s super important.”
– Ona Rombaut, Ona
What the judges said:
“This winner goes about sustainability in a very tangible fashion, taking clear action points that serve as useful inspiration, and displaying a well-educated approach to vineyard management throughout the list.”
– Nina Jensen
Silver Stars:
Paul de Pierre, Maarkedal
Vrijmoed, Ghent
LOCAL CATEGORIES:
Special Jury Prize
– Recognises a venue that has done something extra with their wine list, in terms of direction, style or value.
Gold Star:
Restaurant Sans Cravate, Bruges
What the winners said:
“We are very overwhelmed and surprised that [the judges] mentioned and see the special efforts that we do to find some unique wine growers.”
– Henk Van Oudenhove, Restaurant Sans Cravate
What the judges said:
“This list is creative, pioneering, balanced and with some great niche areas well represented. It thinks outside the box of what we normally understand by a long wine list, and succeeds in a complete and convincing manner.”
– Nina Jensen
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.
The winners in the international categories will qualify for our International Final in June 2025, where they will face off with the category winners from other countries and continents.
Read about the terms and how Star Wine List judges the wine lists here.
Do like the Pros - search 3000+ wine lists
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.
Le Wine
Find out more about Le Wine by clicking on the logo.
Chateau d’Esclans
Read more about Chateau d’Esclans by clicking on the logo.
