About the Awards

The World’s Best Wine List is a global awards program was created in 2014, by the award-winning publication The World of Fine Wine.  Now with over 20 categories recognising the best establishments across six regions: Asia, Australasia, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America, and South & Central America with the Caribbean.

All award-winning wine lists must attain certain standards with the following general criteria (considering the nature and size of the list and any specialism): breadth, depth, height, balance, selection, accuracy, originality, suitability, design, and value.

Judged according to a rigorous protocol by independent, international panels of leading professionals, including World Champion Sommeliers, Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and highly respected wine writers, it is the first awards program to acknowledge the crucial importance of a good wine selection—regardless of size—in the modern dining experience all round the world.

How to Enter
View the Award Categories
Previous Winners

 

The Awards

Category Awards

Judges recognize best-in-class establishments in over 20 categories, including Best Micro, Best Short, Best Medium-Size, Best Long, Best Wine-by-the-Glass (With and Without Coravin®), Best Hotel, Best Wine Bar, Best New, Most Original, and Best Value.

These categories award six regional winners, one from each of the following regions:

  • North America
  • Central and South America
  • Europe
  • Middle East and Africa
  • Asia
  • Australasia

The six regional winners in each category become the shortlist and then considered for the global title and Winner of its category.

Judges may award a Jury Prize to lists that wish to recognize for a particular quality or set of qualities; for example, lists that demonstrate distinctive character and flair, strength in a specific wine style, exceptionally good value, or all-round excellence.

 

The Champions’ League

Created and designed to honour the “best of the best,” The following awards are made each year:

  • Champions’ League World’s Best Wine List
  • Champions’ League Best By-the-Glass Wine List
  • Champions’ League Best Champagne & Sparkling Wine List
  • Champions’ League Best Dessert & Fortified Wine List
  • Champions’ League Best Spirits List.

 

The Star Awards

All category entrants are considered for our Star Awards. Judges rate worthy lists with one, two, or three stars (not all entered lists may receive a star). Among the criteria are breadth, depth, height, balance, selection, accuracy, originality, suitability, design, and value.

  • One-Star Award – A good wine list to the general criteria.
  • Two-Star Award – A two-star wine list to the general criteria, demonstrating superior breadth and/or depth in the selection; a high proportion of leading producers; a good mix of vintages in terms of age, maturity, quality, and style; a good range of wine styles and prices; a good by-the-glass program; a good selection of half-bottles and larger formats; superior organization and presentation.
  • Three-Star Award – A three-star wine list to the general criteria, showing exceptional breadth and/or depth in the selection; a very high proportion of leading producers, large and small, old and new, established and emerging; a very good mix of vintages in terms of age, maturity, quality, and style; a wide range of wine styles and prices; an extensive by-the-glass program; an extensive selection of half-bottles and larger formats; outstanding organization and presentation; clear evidence of originality and personality; clear evidence of commitment over the long term, genuine passion, a guiding intelligence, and real vision.

For any questions, please contact Vita De Vita