Four Gold Stars to Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – including Best California Wine List
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Dubai won the category Best California Wine List when Star Wine List of the Year UAE was celebrated on January 29. The category was presented by Louis M. Martini. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal also won Grand Prix, Best Newcomer List and Best Long List.
"We’ve been able to put together an amazing collection of California wines. And I mean, everyone likes California wines, especially here in Dubai. So it was quite amazing to get this prize, obviously," says head sommelier Arturo Scamardella after receiving the prize.
"A very strong selection of both white and red wines. It is the red wine section that is especially impressive and quality-driven. It displays truly interesting verticals and some of the most sought-after Californian wines," says jury member Piotr Pietras MS about the winning list.
The UAE awards is included in our 2023-2024 International tour and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will now qualify for the International final in June 2024.
The Silver Star winners in this category were:
Al Muntaha, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Amazónico, Dubai
At.mosphere, Dubai
Nobu Dubai, Dubai
Ossiano, Dubai
Jury
The jury for the first Star Wine List of the Year competition in the UAE included an amazing line-up of esteemed wine experts:
• Heidi Mäkinen, Master of Wine
• Piotr Pietras, Master Sommelier
• Paz Levinson, named Best Sommelier of Americas
• Ben Kouider, Champagne expert and educator based in UAE
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 our awards. In addition, local categories may be added. We have commercial partners for certain categories, such as the Best Austrian Wine List, which is 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 judging panel.
The criteria for the jury is straightforward but not simple: to 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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Louis M. Martini
Louis M. Martini is an iconic Californian wine producer. Read more by clicking on the logo.
