Wine List Of The Year Awards - Calling For Entries

For immediate release April 22, 2004

New Zealand 2004 Wine List Of The Year Awards Calling For Entries

Wanted: Restaurants in your region, large or small, to take part in the competition that ‘lifts the bar’ for restaurant wine lists all around the country.

Awards organiser Chris Eerden, Managing Director of Lace Fine Wine Merchants, is inviting all New Zealand hospitality outlets – including licensed restaurants, cafés, bars, luxury lodges and bars – to enter the second annual “Lace Fine Wine Merchants New Zealand Wine List of the Year Awards” 2004.

He expects New Zealand’s only national award for wine lists to be even tougher this year based on over 300 entries last year.

“The Awards are free to enter and are aimed at encouraging and recognising quality and enthusiasm in wine presentation in the New Zealand hospitality industry, and the right of patrons to expect good wine experiences,” says Mr. Eerden.

“The success of and response to last year’s Awards[1] shows that the public has a huge interest in wine offered at restaurants and the primary motivation of these awards is to acknowledge licensed premises who incorporate wine as an integral part of the dining experience.”

“We are expecting that interest in this event will increase from being the equivalent of a 750 ml bottle last year to a magnum this time around!”

Categories are: - the “A Touch of Italy” Café/Brasserie Category
- the “Acqua Panna” Restaurant – Small Wine List Category (under 50 wines)
 the “Riedel” Restaurant – Large Wine List Category (over 50 wines)
 the “Kimberley Lodge” Bar/Club Restaurant Category – includes wine bars
 the “Masi” Classic Cuisines Category (French, Italian, Thai, etc)
 the “Sherwood Lodge” Specialty Category – wine lists dedicated to a specific wine area e.g. New Zealand only
 the “Daniel le Brun” Best New Restaurant Wine List – open less than 12 months

There will be prizes awarded to the winner of each of the seven categories. The national winner will receive a trip for two to Australia, visiting some of Australia’s leading wineries. The seven category winners will receive a prize that includes either luxury accommodation, quality glassware, wine or other premium quality goods.

All establishments achieving a 3 Decanter rating or higher will be issued with an official award certificate.

The highly qualified judging panel for 2004 comprises: one of New Zealand’s leading sommeliers Cameron Douglas; hospitality industry stalwart John Ingle; outstanding New Zealand winemaker Brent Marris from Wither Hills Vineyards; wine author and columnist Joelle Thompson; leading wine writer Vic Williams and Chris Eerden.

Submissions for the Awards close on Friday May 14, 2004 and the results will be announced in August 2004.

To enter, contact Lace Fine Wine Merchants on either phone (+64 9) 828 4725, fax (+64 9) 828 4726, or email laceline@xtra.co.nz to request an entry form.

ENDS

© Scoop Media