Germany's best wine lists celebrated - here are the winners!
On 17 April, Star Wine List once again celebrated Germany’s best wine lists and the teams behind them. Nobelhart und Schmutzig in Berlin won two categories, including the prestigious Grand Prix. Prism in Berlin also won two categories.
”Germany's reputation for producing great wines is well-known, and I believe that we are on the cusp of becoming equally renowned for our exceptional wine lists and the skilled professionals who curate them. We were amazed by the number of innovative concepts and exceptional wine selections submitted. Judging was an exciting and challenging experience, as there was so much to admire and celebrate,” says jury member Jan Konetzki about the competing wine lists.
The first Star Wine List celebration in Germany took place in 2021. On 17 April, we once again returned to Germany to celebrate the best wine lists in the country.
This year, Star Wine List of the Year Germany was judged by this line-up of exceptional judges:
• Emmanuel (Manu) Rosier
• Jan Konetzki
• Heidi Mäkinen MW
• Julie Dupouy-Young
The criteria for the jury were straightforward but not so simple: Vote for the most exciting wine list representing the category.
And, here are all the winners:
Categories:
Best Austrian Wine List
– Recognizes the best wine list with Austrian wines.
The category is presented by Austrian Wine
Finalists:
Essers Gasthaus, Cologne
Freundschaft, Berlin
Horváth, Berlin
ROCAILLE Café Bistrot Wine bar, Düsseldorf
Witwenball, Hamburg
Winner:
Freundschaft, Berlin
”It means a lot for us, for the whole team and the work that we have put in. I want to say thank you to all the people that have believed in us, and to all our guests,” says Johannes Schellhorn, co-owner, sommelier and culinary director at Freundschaft.
”A list that certainly pays great honour to the wines of Austria with a broad selection of styles, regions, grape varieties, producers and vintages,” says jury member Julie Dupouy-Young.
Grand Prix
– The best wine list with more than 600 references.
Finalists:
Franz Keller Schwarzer Adler, Vogtsburg-Oberbergen
Johannas at Hotel Neumayr, Munich
Kronenschlösschen, Eltville-Hattenheim
nineOfive Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf
Nobelhart und Schmutzig, Berlin
ROCAILLE Café Bistrot Wine bar, Düsseldorf
Tantris, Maison Culinaire, Munich
Winner:
Nobelhart und Schmutzig, Berlin
Mischa Shaefer, head chef
"It's an honour to be nominated, and an honour to win. Whatever we do, we try to do it as good as possible and with a holistic approach," says Head Chef Mischa Shaefer.
”This venue has clearly given a lot of thought not only to their beverage selection but also to the presentation and the explanation of their choices and their ways of work. Very unique list which with its significant amount of references rightly deserves the grand prix,” says jury member Heidi Mäkinen MW about the winning list.
Best Medium-Sized Wine List
– Recognizes the best wine list with 200-600 references.
Finalists:
Diergardts Kühler Grund, Hattingen
Horváth, Berlin
Kinfelts Kitchen & Wine, Hamburg
Prism, Berlin
Restaurant Überfahrt, Rottach-Egern
Witwenball, Hamburg
Zum Grünen Gaul, Bochum
Winner:
Prism, Berlin
"It is a very good list, I have to admit that. I would like to drink from it. But other than that – thank you!" said Prism's Jaqueline Lorenz.
”Not only that they have an impressive selection by the glass. Their focal point gives this restaurant an inspiring USP. On top we find elaborate selection from Germany, Austria, France and Italy,” says Jan Konetzki from the jury.
Best Short List
– Recognizes the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings.
Finalists:
Barra, Berlin
Fritz & Felix, Baden-Baden
Jacobi, Freiburg im Breisgau
Kink Bar & Restaurant, Berlin
nineOfive Regensburg, Regensburg
Nomi Weinbar, Berlin
Winner:
nineOfive Regensburg, Regensburg
”Each wine region represented is featured with fine judgement and balance. Mixing classical references with modern ones in a very thoughtful way, this list offers value for money at every price brackets. Clear and concise layout - a very friendly list for all budgets and all consumer' profiles,” says Julie Dupouy-Young.
Best Sparkling Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with sparkling wines.
The category is presented by Nyetimber
Finalists:
Franz Keller Schwarzer Adler, Vogtsburg-Oberbergen
Kronenschlösschen, Eltville-Hattenheim
Nobelhart und Schmutzig, Berlin
Restaurant Fachwerk im Hotel Stadt Kassel, Rinteln
Tantris, Maison Culinaire, Munich
Troyka, Erkelenz
Winner:
Nobelhart und Schmutzig, Berlin
”A mind blowingly fascinating and exciting list for lovers of all bubbly things. Superb selection of beers, including an impressive collection of Gueuse and Lambic. Incredible offering of cidres and other fermented fruit beverages and of course great selection of classical sparkling wines. Chapeau!” says Julie Dupouy-Young.
Best By the Glass List
– Recognizes the best by the glass list.
Finalists:
Kinfelts Kitchen & Wine, Hamburg
nineOfive Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf
POTS, Berlin
Prism, Berlin
Restaurant Fachwerk im Hotel Stadt Kassel, Rinteln
Winner:
Prism, Berlin
"I was very strongly hoping for the By The Glass category because we have this very unique idea of opening every wine we have on the menu," says Prism's Jaqueline Lorenz.
”The approach to serve all wine by the glass is as impressive as the fine selection with a unique focus this restaurant has made,” says Jan Konetzki.
Special Jury Prize
– Recognizes a venue that has done something extra with their wine list, such as the direction, the style or the value.
Finalists:
Franz Keller Schwarzer Adler, Vogtsburg-Oberbergen
Horváth, Berlin
nineOfive Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf
nineOfive Regensburg, Regensburg
Nobelhart und Schmutzig, Berlin
Nomi Weinbar, Berlin
Winner:
Franz Keller Schwarzer Adler, Vogtsburg-Oberbergen
"We're very honoured, and very happy that Star Wine Lisy exists," said Friedrich Keller after receiving the diploma.
"I think the wine list is special because we're thinking in generations and the list is not founded by me or my collogues but by my grandfather. We have wines for everyone."
The jury's Jan Konetzki:
”They are Germany's ‘Fine wine Thirst trap’ and attract wine lovers from all around the world. The cellar and wine list offers an endless amount of classic wines and unseen verticals."
Sustainable Wine List
– This award evaluates both the venue's wine list and how they work sustainably at the venue
Finalists:
The winner will be announced at the event.
Winner:
Frea, Berlin
”For me, this is something very beautiful. I haven’t been in the wine world for that long, so to see that we’ve come so far in such a short amount of time is really amazing. I also want us to be an example for other restaurants, and I wish that other people could follow this philosophy,” says Sarah Simmonet, sommelier at Frea.
”In a climate change dilemma, this restaurant has gone a step further on the sustainability theme with its kitchen and throughout its wine list. An example to follow!” says jury member Emmanuel (Manu) Rosier.
National Categories:
The National Categories are held especially for the German event.
New Generation Bordeaux List
– For a wine list featuring a wide range and a new generation of Bordeaux wines.
The category is presented by Bordeaux Wines
Finalists:
Franz Keller Schwarzer Adler, Vogtsburg-Oberbergen
Gesellschaftshaus der BASF, Ludwigshafen am Rhein
Nobelhart und Schmutzig, Berlin
Restaurant JM, Sylt
Rheinton 2.0, Düsseldorf
ROCAILLE Café Bistrot Wine bar, Düsseldorf
Winner:
ROCAILLE Café Bistrot Wine bar, Düsseldorf
”First of all, it means a lot for me to win a prize at Star Wine List of the Year. For me, Star Wine List is by far the best tool to search for great wine bars,” says Micheal Spreckelmeyer, sommelier and managing director at ROCAILLE. ”And When it comes to Bordeaux, it’s a region that is dramatically changing. There is a cool new generation that is now active in the area.”
The jury's Heidi Mäkinen says:
”A refreshing list showcasing all shades of Bordeaux wines with lots of new names given space alongside the true classics. There is clearly yet more discoveries to be made within the region which this list rightly highlights."
Best California Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with Californian wines.
The category is presented by Louis M. Martini
Finalists:
Guido al Duomo, Munich
Kronenschlösschen, Eltville-Hattenheim
Restaurant Fachwerk im Hotel Stadt Kassel, Rinteln
ROCAILLE Café Bistrot Wine bar, Düsseldorf
Tantris, Maison Culinaire, Munich
Vinothek by Geisel, Munich
Winners:
Kronenschlösschen, Eltville-Hattenheim
Tantris, Maison Culinaire, Munich
"It's a great honour to be here with so many amazing restaurants," says Julian Grunwald from Tantris.
"A well cured wine list with some great verticals and great producers. A great overview of what California does best!" says Manu Rosier about the winning list from Tantris.
And for Kronenschlösschen:
"A rare wine list with a great depth in back vintages and some amazing producers available at a fair price."
Read about the terms and how Star Wine List judges the wine lists here.
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Nyetimber
English sparkling producer Nyetimber is the leading producer of sparkling wine in the country.
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.
Louis M. Martini
Louis M. Martini is an iconic Californian wine producer. Read more by clicking on the logo.
CIVB
The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB or Bordeaux Wine Council) was founded in 1948, and represents the three families of the Bordeaux wine industry: winegrowers, wine merchants and brokers.
