Famous wines don’t come easy. Not only are they the product of growing great grapes and crafting fine wines, they are also the result of promotion by wine stewards in restaurants and hotels, most notably by pairing wines with cuisine. These wine stewards are known as sommeliers.
The NSW Sommelier’s Wine List Awards, run by the NSW Wine Industry Association (NSW Wine), is now in its third year of showcasing and rewarding the very best ‘NSW Wine Stars’. A ‘NSW Wine Star’ is a sommelier, beverage manager or venue that offers their customers a great NSW wine experience and a range of delicious local wines that highlight the quality and diversity of wines being produced in NSW.
NSW Wine report they received “a fantastic range of wine lists (that) were entered into the Awards from across the state, including many in the new categories of accommodation venues and club venues”.
After deliberation by judges Dane Richards (GM Australia for Gault & Millau), Mark Baulderstone (MD Riedel Spiegelau Nachtmann Australia) and Lyndey Milan OAM (award-winning, multi-media presenter), NSW Wine has announced 35 finalists in the 2022 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List Awards.
Among the finalists are the locally recognised restaurants of The Quarry Restaurant, Cowra, Charred Kitchen & Bar and Whitney’s Restaurant & Bar, both located in Orange. Also among the prestigious list of finalists was the Zin House in Mudgee.
Finalists are all now in the running for one of the main trophies, along with some great prizes.
The top 2022 winners in each of the eight categories, along with the 2022 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List of the Year, will be announced at a prestigious event at Parliament House Sydney on 7th June 2022.