Shorter lists can be even more challenging to judge than longer lists. The category of Best Short Wine List includes lists that feature between 100 and 200 wines (at 75cl bottle-size). With a list of this size, those responsible are having to make very clear selections and set out their ambitions and priorities. While the list can still include depth in particular wine regions, styles, or grape varieties, the focus is sharper. The wine lover becomes engaged with the choice as if in conversation with a friend. Judges still consider the criteria of breadth, depth, height, balance, selection, accuracy, originality, suitability, design, and value when reaching their decision.
Best Short Wine List in the World
Cocoro, Aukland - Global Winner 2021
Cocoro is located in a quiet side street Ponsonby, New Zealand, that features new style Japanese cuisine. The name means ‘the heart and soul’ in Japanese and was chosen because the Cocoro team aims to provide their food and service with their heart and soul.
The wine list covers wines from New Zealand and other parts of the world with an emphasis on organic/ biodynamic varieties. This is put together in a curious and practical wine list that is fairly unique. Cocoro also offers a wide range of Japanese Sake that focus on the “Jun Mai” pure rice variety.
Email: bookmytable@cocoro.co.nz
Address: 56a Brown Street, Ponsonby,1021 Auckland, New Zealand
Regional Winners - Best Short Wine List in the World 2021
Asia 2021
Located in Karasuma Oike, Kyoto, Restaurant Koke, was newly opened in 2021. The modern and spacious dining area is characterised by wood and natural materials, with 7 counter seats looking in to the kitchen and 8 tables, creating a calm an intimate atmosphere. The kitchen is headed up by Chef Yusaku Nakamura who trained at the three-star restaurant Ca Sento in Kobe, and Tatsuya Ohyama, who also served as Chef sommelier at Ca sento for many years. Focusing on local ingredients, it offers innovative dishes based on wood-fired Spanish cuisine, and the global wine list is based on natural wines such as RM-only champagne and modern Spanish wines. Address: takoyakushicho 287 ido1F koke, Nakagyo-ku kyoto-shi 604-0021 Kyoto-fu, Japan
North America 2021
Located in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood, The Bristol is an internationally renowned restaurant that has recently evolved in its next iteration under the helm of executive chef Larry Feldmeier and owners John Ross and Phillip Walters. Designed by John Ross, the timeless space typically seats 100 and houses a second-floor private event space. The Bristol remains dedicated to providing a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere. Striving to be timeless, not trendy, The Bristol’s cuisine is a hybrid of classic and contemporary, based on French techniques and influenced by farm-fresh produce, featuring handmade pastas and an array of meat and fish dishes. The Bristol wine program, curated by Beverage Director, Chuckiy Bement, is built on a foundation of producers that are the benchmark for their regions and varietals, while also spotlighting a new generation of producers that are pushing the boundaries of the wine world. Address: 2152 N Damen Ave, Chicago, 60647Illinois, United States of America
South & Central America/ Caribbean 2021
Oteque is located in Rio de Janeiro and is the “Carioca” Project From Chef Alberto Landgraf. The restaurant blends clean modern design with a love of natural materials with stone walls and wood clad ceilings providing a perfect modern setting for the menu that takes inspiration from nature’s purity. The menus are based on local and fresh ingredients, having quality and ethical farming practices as part of the restaurant’s core values. Address: Rua Conde de Irajá 581 - Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22271-020,Brazil
Address:
BOCA, Dubai
Middle East & Africa 2021
Tucked away in the heart of Dubai’s financial district is BOCA, a Modern European restaurant influenced by Spanish cuisine and with a strong commitment to sustainability and local sourcing. Our cellar is home to a collection of 2,121 bottles from 245 labels, 64 of which are offered by the glass, including selections from the Coravin and two vertical tasting options. 40% of this list is Spanish listing 26 of the 138 official DOs and IGPs in the country with a focus on ‘smaller’ and upcoming regions such as Castilla VT & Conca De Barberà, Montsant, Somontano, and Toro DOs among others that may be currently producing the world’s future stunners. In line with BOCA’s philosophy to stand with regional producers, we also feature wines from countries close to our home including Syria, Lebanon, Georgia, Greece, Turkey, and our latest addition Israel. Other highlights include the low sugar and orange wine section and the inclusion of ‘dealcoholized’ wines. Our fascination with ‘fortified’ wines continues, listing 24 of them showcasing grapes from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Hungary. Address: Gate Village 6, Dubai International Financial Center, Dubai, PO Box 506772, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Asia 2021
Restaurant Koke, Kyoto-fu
Located in Karasuma Oike, Kyoto, Restaurant Koke, was newly opened in 2021. The modern and spacious dining area is characterised by wood and natural materials, with 7 counter seats looking in to the kitchen and 8 tables, creating a calm an intimate atmosphere. The kitchen is headed up by Chef Yusaku Nakamura who trained at the three-star restaurant Ca Sento in Kobe, and Tatsuya Ohyama, who also served as Chef sommelier at Ca sento for many years. Focusing on local ingredients, it offers innovative dishes based on wood-fired Spanish cuisine, and the global wine list is based on natural wines such as RM-only champagne and modern Spanish wines. Address: takoyakushicho 287 ido1F koke, Nakagyo-ku kyoto-shi 604-0021 Kyoto-fu, Japan
North America 2021
The Bristol, Chicago
Located in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood, The Bristol is an internationally renowned restaurant that has recently evolved in its next iteration under the helm of executive chef Larry Feldmeier and owners John Ross and Phillip Walters. Designed by John Ross, the timeless space typically seats 100 and houses a second-floor private event space. The Bristol remains dedicated to providing a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere. Striving to be timeless, not trendy, The Bristol’s cuisine is a hybrid of classic and contemporary, based on French techniques and influenced by farm-fresh produce, featuring handmade pastas and an array of meat and fish dishes. The Bristol wine program, curated by Beverage Director, Chuckiy Bement, is built on a foundation of producers that are the benchmark for their regions and varietals, while also spotlighting a new generation of producers that are pushing the boundaries of the wine world. Address: 2152 N Damen Ave, Chicago, 60647Illinois, United States of America
South & Central America/ Caribbean 2021
Oteque, Rio de Janeiro
Oteque is located in Rio de Janeiro and is the “Carioca” Project From Chef Alberto Landgraf. The restaurant blends clean modern design with a love of natural materials with stone walls and wood clad ceilings providing a perfect modern setting for the menu that takes inspiration from nature’s purity. The menus are based on local and fresh ingredients, having quality and ethical farming practices as part of the restaurant’s core values. Address: Rua Conde de Irajá 581 - Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22271-020,Brazil
Middle East & Africa 2021
BOCA, Dubai
Tucked away in the heart of Dubai’s financial district is BOCA, a Modern European restaurant influenced by Spanish cuisine and with a strong commitment to sustainability and local sourcing. Our cellar is home to a collection of 2,121 bottles from 245 labels, 64 of which are offered by the glass, including selections from the Coravin and two vertical tasting options. 40% of this list is Spanish listing 26 of the 138 official DOs and IGPs in the country with a focus on ‘smaller’ and upcoming regions such as Castilla VT & Conca De Barberà, Montsant, Somontano, and Toro DOs among others that may be currently producing the world’s future stunners. In line with BOCA’s philosophy to stand with regional producers, we also feature wines from countries close to our home including Syria, Lebanon, Georgia, Greece, Turkey, and our latest addition Israel. Other highlights include the low sugar and orange wine section and the inclusion of ‘dealcoholized’ wines. Our fascination with ‘fortified’ wines continues, listing 24 of them showcasing grapes from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Hungary. Address: Gate Village 6, Dubai International Financial Center, Dubai, PO Box 506772, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Global and Regional Winners - Best Short Wine List in the World 2020
Asia 2020
Hajime in the city of Osaka, Japan, was founded by Hajime Yoneda to deliver cuisine that represents the beauty of order found within the balance and harmony of nature, the earth, and space. Chef Hajime Yoneda is famous for his commitment to expressing the local terroir, with a style of cooking that blends Spanish, French, and Japanese influences. It’s a commitment he takes to extreme lengths in his signature dish “chikyu,” a presentation of 110 local vegetables, herbs, and grains. And it’s a commitment that also shows up on his elegant wine list. In a selection that generally aims for the right vintage of a broad spread of producers, rather than deep verticals of the same old famous names, the Hajime list includes an extensive set of Japanese wines. It also features the stunning Pinot Noir and Syrah made by the ultra-fastidious ex-pat Japanese producer, Hiro Kusuda, in Martinborough, New Zealand, but the bulk of the list is given over to terroir-driven French wines, led by Burgundy and grower Champagne, as well as wine from Alsace and from Languedoc-Roussillon. Address: 1-9-11-1F Edobori, Nishi-Ku, Osaka, Japan
Australasia 2020
Supernormal restaurant in Melbourne is part of the successful group of restaurants run and owned by Andrew McConnell. It matches an Asian cuisine to an undeniably Japanese interior. Despite it's name, the restaurant is quirky and witty with playful Japanese items accenting the space including katakana signage, neon cherries, and even Japanese snack vending machines. Influences from Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Seoul are reflected throughout the Japanese-focused menu. The wine list is honest and interesting, reflecting the venue’s eccentric theme providing a good mix and match selection and some affordable options. The list is well-presented with descriptions of the wine included for diners’ use. 180 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, ACT, Australia 3000
South & Central America/ Caribbean 2020
Located in the district of Polanco in Mexico City, Quintonil is run by chef Jorge Vallejo and his wife Alejandra Flores, who runs the front of house. The word Quintonil refers to the greens of the amaranth plant. The menu focuses on fresh seasonal and local produce, and demonstrates Vallejo’s ability to rework traditional ingredients and dishes like cactus, tamales, mole, and escamoles (ant larvae), to create unique dishes. An excellent collection of wine pairings is offered, where a list of 48 pages provides a good balance to choose from. Each wine is carefully selected to ensure the flavors of the extraordinary dishes come alive. Address: Newton 55, Polanco, Mexico City, Mexico
Middle East & Africa 2020
Karibu restaurant sits on the Victoria and Alfred waterfront in Cape Town, between Table Bay harbour and Table Mountain. Karibu affords diners the opportunity to experience the vibrant flavours of South Africa and to encounter the ruggedness of Africa within the luxurious setting of the restaurant where a mixed fusion of African ambience blends itself with the flavours of a rich and diverse cultural heritage. The team at Karibu Restaurant take pride in offering diners a selection of the Cape's finest wines which they have sourced from emerging and established estates with a view to complementing the food and ambience. The wine list includes the best South African award-winning wines, with a large selection served by the glass. Address: Shop 156, The Wharf Centre, V&A Waterfront, Victoria Wharf, Cape Town Central 8002, South Africa
Address:
June's All Day, Austin - Regional Winner
North America 2020
June’s All Day is a neighbourhood café and wine bar located in Austin, Texas. The owners teamed up with Master Sommelier June Rodil to create a neighbourhood restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner paired with a short but playful and approachable wine list with some high quality producers and most key regions covered as well as a tight cocktail program and local beers. Address: 1722 South Congress, Austin, Texas, United States
Asia 2020
Hajime, Osaka - Regional Winner
Hajime in the city of Osaka, Japan, was founded by Hajime Yoneda to deliver cuisine that represents the beauty of order found within the balance and harmony of nature, the earth, and space. Chef Hajime Yoneda is famous for his commitment to expressing the local terroir, with a style of cooking that blends Spanish, French, and Japanese influences. It’s a commitment he takes to extreme lengths in his signature dish “chikyu,” a presentation of 110 local vegetables, herbs, and grains. And it’s a commitment that also shows up on his elegant wine list. In a selection that generally aims for the right vintage of a broad spread of producers, rather than deep verticals of the same old famous names, the Hajime list includes an extensive set of Japanese wines. It also features the stunning Pinot Noir and Syrah made by the ultra-fastidious ex-pat Japanese producer, Hiro Kusuda, in Martinborough, New Zealand, but the bulk of the list is given over to terroir-driven French wines, led by Burgundy and grower Champagne, as well as wine from Alsace and from Languedoc-Roussillon. Address: 1-9-11-1F Edobori, Nishi-Ku, Osaka, Japan
Australasia 2020
Supernormal, Melbourne - Global Winner
Supernormal restaurant in Melbourne is part of the successful group of restaurants run and owned by Andrew McConnell. It matches an Asian cuisine to an undeniably Japanese interior. Despite it's name, the restaurant is quirky and witty with playful Japanese items accenting the space including katakana signage, neon cherries, and even Japanese snack vending machines. Influences from Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Seoul are reflected throughout the Japanese-focused menu. The wine list is honest and interesting, reflecting the venue’s eccentric theme providing a good mix and match selection and some affordable options. The list is well-presented with descriptions of the wine included for diners’ use. 180 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, ACT, Australia 3000
South & Central America/ Caribbean 2020
Quintonil, Mexico City - Regional Winner
Located in the district of Polanco in Mexico City, Quintonil is run by chef Jorge Vallejo and his wife Alejandra Flores, who runs the front of house. The word Quintonil refers to the greens of the amaranth plant. The menu focuses on fresh seasonal and local produce, and demonstrates Vallejo’s ability to rework traditional ingredients and dishes like cactus, tamales, mole, and escamoles (ant larvae), to create unique dishes. An excellent collection of wine pairings is offered, where a list of 48 pages provides a good balance to choose from. Each wine is carefully selected to ensure the flavors of the extraordinary dishes come alive. Address: Newton 55, Polanco, Mexico City, Mexico
Middle East & Africa 2020
Karibu, Cape Town- Regional Winner
Karibu restaurant sits on the Victoria and Alfred waterfront in Cape Town, between Table Bay harbour and Table Mountain. Karibu affords diners the opportunity to experience the vibrant flavours of South Africa and to encounter the ruggedness of Africa within the luxurious setting of the restaurant where a mixed fusion of African ambience blends itself with the flavours of a rich and diverse cultural heritage. The team at Karibu Restaurant take pride in offering diners a selection of the Cape's finest wines which they have sourced from emerging and established estates with a view to complementing the food and ambience. The wine list includes the best South African award-winning wines, with a large selection served by the glass. Address: Shop 156, The Wharf Centre, V&A Waterfront, Victoria Wharf, Cape Town Central 8002, South Africa
North America 2020
June's All Day, Austin - Regional Winner
June’s All Day is a neighbourhood café and wine bar located in Austin, Texas. The owners teamed up with Master Sommelier June Rodil to create a neighbourhood restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner paired with a short but playful and approachable wine list with some high quality producers and most key regions covered as well as a tight cocktail program and local beers. Address: 1722 South Congress, Austin, Texas, United States