Wine writer Andreas Grube joins judging panel for Star Wine List of the Year Sweden

On April 7, Star Wine List of the Year Sweden will be held for the seventh time. Now, we are happy to welcome Andreas Grube – well-known Swedish wine journalist and Star Wine List's Stockholm Ambassador (plus a former Star Wine List editor) – to the judging panel for the first time.
Wine bars and restaurants across Sweden have until Sunday, 9 February to submit their wine lists in Star Wine List of the Year Sweden 2025. Here's what our judge, and local expert, will be looking for...
What kind of judge are you?!
“This is my first time doing jury duty, so I don't really know yet. But I think I'm an ‘enthusiastic’ judge. For me, going out wining and dining, reading the wine list is always one of the best parts of the experience. I can sit forever with a list. Luckily, my wife is also a wine writer and a wine geek, so I can lose myself in the lists without her getting annoyed, haha. Also: I might be quite well-educated in wine, but I've never worked as a sommelier, so I think I can add some ‘general consumer’ perspective.”
What are you looking for in a wine list?
“Depth and width are quite obvious, but apart from that it has to have this ‘something,’ the ‘it’ factor that is so hard to describe. Character, personality, excitement, and vision. It has to speak the same language as the venue itself, and I want the sommelier team's knowledge and experience to shine through. Then, of course, you need to get the details right – vintages, spelling and all that. It's always deeply disappointing when a wine cellar that is good in itself is presented through a list full of typos.”
Which is your favourite category?
“As this is my first time judging, I'm really looking forward to having a thorough look at all of them. But Best Short List is always very interesting – to build a great selection with that few references is tricky. Since I'm also a huge fan of great by-the-glass lists, that category will be super fun too.”

What's special about the SWLOY awards?
“For me, one of the main things has always been that Star Wine List of the Year is a great way to celebrate all the talented wine people in the business. I feel so much respect and gratitude for all these professionals. The wine experience is a huge part of visiting a restaurant, and this award is the only one out there fully shining the light on the wine and the teams behind the selections.”
How have you seen entries/winners change over time?
“Even though this is my first time judging, I've been working a lot with the awards as a writer over the years and, in many ways, the awards reflect the growth of the Swedish wine scene during the last 10 years or so. Today Sweden has a very mature wine scene, with room for niche wine concepts and lists, which is great to see.”
Will you be at the awards ceremony?
“Of course I will, I'm looking forward to it!”
What's the best bit of the event day?
“The best bit is that the event gathers so many people from the business in the same room. It's really like a business party, with people mingling, drinking wine and having a good time. It's also touching to see how happy all the winners are and that it's obviously a big thing for the venues and the sommeliers to be recognised in this way.”
Anything you want to add?
“Just that I'm honoured to be asked to be on the judging panel, and especially to get to work alongside such super pros like Nina and Kathrine. I'm Looking forward to judging with them both, and also to being able to celebrate all the fantastic wine people and wine places in Sweden.”
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