Gold Star for Best Austrian Wine List in Asia goes to Chi-Fu, Osaka
Chi-Fu in Osaka, Japan, won the category Best Austrian Wine List when Star Wine List of the Year Asia was celebrated for the second time during Vinexpo Asia on May 29. The category was presented by Austrian Wine.
"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.
Asia is included to our 2023-2024 International tour, and this was the second time we were running it in Asia. The event was held live during Vinexpo in Hong Kong on May 29. Chi-Fu is now qualified for the International Final in Stockholm in June where they will face off with winners from around the world.
Chi-Fu was one of 107 wine lists that entered the competition, and one out of 44 that made it to the finals.
Chi-Fu is a one-starred Michelin restaurant in the Nishi-Tenma area of Osaka, and here you'll find innovative Chinese-Asian cuisine, paired pairing with a beautiful wine selection from all over the world. Our Osaka ambassador Kei Teshiro wrote in his description of Chi-Fu that they have an "open-minded wine list with only high-quality wines – without being bound by natural or traditional boundaries".
Last year, the restaurant won a Silver Star in the Austrian category in Asia.
The Silver Star winners in the Austrian category were:
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
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
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.
