World-class jury to name the best wine lists in the Nordics
On 22 of September, Star Wine List will be naming the top wine lists in the five Nordic countries. The winners will win prizes such as trips to Austria and South Africa. All venues in the Nordics are welcome to participate.
From now until the 15th of August we will accept entries to Nordic Star Wine List of the Year - our competition to reward the best wine lists in the Nordic countries.
Venues that are listed on Star Wine List are automatically entered into the competition – if we have an updated wine list (from the 1st of May or later). Any other venue in the Nordics is also welcome to submit their wine list, and it is free of charge to join the competition.
Categories & criteria
• Grand Prix (best wine list overall)
• Best wine list by the glass presented by Le Verre de Vin
• Best South African wine list presented by Libertas Vineyards and Estates
• Best Austrian wine list presented by Austrian Wine
• Best Rhône wine list presented by Paul Jaboulet
• Best Italian wine list presented by Mandrarossa
• Best Niche wine list
• Best short wine list (<250 wines)
• Best Low intervention list
The jury votes independently, and the criteria are: width, depth, originality and value.
World-class jury
We could not be happier to present the jury for Nordic Star Wine List of the Year: Four renowned international sommeliers with tons of competitions on their resumés.
• Arvid Rosengren
Best Sommelier of the World 2016 and partner of Star Wine List, Arvid Rosengren returns to the jury duties after also having been part of the jury for Star Wine List of the Year in Sweden earlier this year. Arvid Rosengren is based in New York and heads up the wine program at the restaurant Legacy Records.
"I’m honored to be part of the jury of Nordic Star Wine List of the Year. I think the work of the sommelier is something that is continually undervalued and misunderstood, even within our industry. I also know that savvy wine drinkers around the world are missing a good, reliable, independent tool to select where to go when traveling (or even in their own city). For that reason, I think the work done by Star Wine Lists here is important, and hopefully an initiative that will expand globally!" says Arvid Rosengren
• Paz Levinson
Argentinian top sommelier Paz Levinson is based in France, where she oversees the wine program for the entire Pic restaurant group. An experienced competitor, Paz Levinson has won the Best Sommelier of Argentina and Americas.
• Raimonds Tomsons
Raimonds Tomsons came into this year's Best Sommelier of the World as one of the favourites after having won the latest Best Sommelier of Europe. Tomsons came in third in the world championship but is looking forward to the next attempt in three years. Tomsons is the head sommelier at restaurant Vincents in Riga, Latvia.
• Pascaline Lepeltier
The influential and New York-based Lepeltier is managing partner and sommelier at Racines in Manhattan. She is also the Best Sommelier of France 2018 and has also won the prestigious title Meilleur Ouvrier de France.
Five or more finalists in each category will be presented in early September, and on the 22nd of September, the winners will be announced during the Nordic Sommelier Championship in Stockholm. The winners are awarded Gold stars, while the other finalists are awarded Silver stars.
In addition to the honour and diplomas, several category winners get top prizes. For example, the Best Austrian Wine List winners will be invited to Vievinum in Vienna 2020 by Austrian Wine. And the winner of Best South African Wine List will be invited to South Africa during 2020 by Libertas Vineyards and Estates.
For more information about the competition, see links below.
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