Chi-Fu has the Best Austrian Wine List in Japan 2025
The team from renowned Chinese restaurant Chi-Fu stepped up onstage four times at the Star Wine List of the Year Japan awards at ProWine Tokyo. Among its other accolades, the Osaka restaurant, established in 1947, won the award for Best Austrian Wine List.
At an awards ceremony held in Tokyo on 15 April, Chi-Fu was presented with Gold Stars not just for the Best Austrian Wine List, presented by Austrian Wine, but also in the categories of Best By the Glass List, Best Japanese Wine List, and Best Medium-Sized List.
While volume may be smaller compared to French or Italian imports, the quality and unique character of Austrian wines have carved a niche in Japan's sophisticated wine market. Sommeliers in upscale restaurants and wine bars, particularly in cities like Tokyo and Osaka, are increasingly recognising the versatility of Austrian wine.
Jury member Stephen Wong MW explained the judges' motivation for awarding Chi-Fu's Austrian selection with a Gold Star: “Here is a list which shows true mastery of Austrian wine, presenting a cross-section of the country's vinous delights from rare icons and cellared classics through to new-wave interpretations and cult natural wines. Varietal and stylistic diversity is expertly represented by delicious selections, right across the wine list, including glass pours. A world-class Austrian list to sink into and lose oneself!”
Winners in the international categories will automatically be entered into the Star Wine List of the Year International Final, which will be held in Vienna this June and see teams from around the world vying for global Gold Stars.
Meet all the winners in Star Wine List of the Year Japan 2025.
Runners Up
Silver stars in the Best Austrian Wine List category were awarded to:
Ăn Đi, Tokyo
Ginza Soseki, Tokyo
Ginza Soseki Arata, Tokyo
Le Chat Noir, Osaka
Restaurant Ryuzu, Tokyo
Shimanouchi Fujimaru Winery, Osaka
Judges
The expert jury panel for Star Wine List of the Year Japan 2025 included four world-renowned experts:
• Toru Takamatsu – Master Sommelier
• Stephen Wong – Master of Wine
• Paz Levinson – Best Sommelier of the Americas 2015 (ASI)
• Reeze Choi – Third Best Sommelier of the World 2023 (ASI)
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._
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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.
