3rd November 2014, London; Condé Nast Johansens is delighted to announce the winners of the Champagne Taittinger UK Wine List Awards 2015. The winners were revealed at the 33rd annual Awards Dinner held at The May Fair Hotel in London this evening.
(TRAVPR.COM) UK - November 11th, 2014 - Commenting on the entries head judge Sarah Jane Evans MW, Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine and award-winning wine writer, noted the ever-higher standard of entries. What scored highly were those lists that demonstrated value for money across the board, innovative promotions to engage and educate guests, the importance of adding personality as well as being easy to read, clear in its layout, engaging, well-designed and approachable.
“When you find the good ones, it is so inspiring. An award-winning list does not have to have pages and pages of wines; we were attracted by those that showed an individual character and an understanding of guests’ needs,” she said.
Offering a selection of wines by the glass and carafe, and different glass sizes have to be an industry must. Anyone not doing this is missing a key opportunity.
THE WINNERS, CATEGORY WINNERS & SPECIAL COMMENDATIONS
The Overall Winner of the Condé Nast Johansens Champagne Taittinger Wine List Award 2015 – Lime Wood, New Forest, Hampshire.
“This is a very readable, absorbing list that provides the reader with lots of lovely unexpected encounters. We particularly noted the confident organisation of the
list by grape variety which encourages experimentation across the board. It is also extremely readable, well presented and certainly never intimidating. The stand out winner.”
http://www.johansens.com/europe/england/hampshire/lime-wood
Overall winner finalists – The Pig, New Forest, Hampshire (“a list of excellence”) and Quilon at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suits and Residences, London (“an innovative list with a difference.”)
CATEGORY WINNERS
Our four category winners were selected from all entries. They are:
Best Choice of Wine by the Glass - Danesfield House Hotel and Spa, Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
The judges commented “This is a cracking list that offers choice of wine by the glass by selection and category and prices to suit all occasions. The diner is encouraged and tempted to experiment with lesser-known wine producers as they are with Port and Sherry. A worthy winner!” http://www.johansens.com/europe/england/buckinghamshire/danesfield-house-hotel-and-spa
Best Champagne List - The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, East Sussex.
The judges commented “An excellent choice of Champagne, sparkling and rosé wines offering an interesting choice all set within a classic list. Top marks!” http://www.johansens.com/europe/england/east-sussex/the-grand-hotel
Best Value For Money - The Old Rectory Hotel, Martinhoe, Devon.
The judges remarked “A good all-round list that remains consistent from beginning to end with an interesting selection. In this climate, a wine list offering sensible pricing and a good selection scores brownie points – this list reflects this well.” http://www.johansens.com/europe/england/devon/the-old-rectory-hotel
Most Innovative and Exciting Wine List - Quilon at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences.
The judges described this as “A list that is truly innovative in its categorisation and one that encourages the diner to set off on a journey of discovery. A top quality list”. http://www.johansens.com/europe/england/london/taj-51-buckingham-gate-suites-and-residences
SPECIAL COMMENDATIONS
Each year, the judges look for elements of the lists that make them stand out. These are awarded special commendations – we present 4 this year.
Best choice of English Wines – Chewton Glen, New Forest, Hampshire.
“An exceptional and fashionable showcase that educates and introduces the diner to an array of diverse English – and Welsh - wines. Chewton Glen’s list impressively offers still, sparkling and rosé from over 20 different producers.” http://www.johansens.com/europe/england/hampshire/chewton-glen
Owner’s Choice – Penmaenuchaf Hall, Gwynedd, Wales.
“From the cheeky introductory notes to the overall honest approach, this list provides lots of things to like and is a great example of how the hotelier can really engage with the guest through an effective personal approach. Well done!” http://www.johansens.com/europe/wales/gwynedd/penmaenuchaf-hall
Sommelier’s Award – Chewton Glen, New Forest, Hampshire.
“An exceptional and extensive list that encourages you to make friends with the sommelier and talk through the choices. It has huge depth and provides a fascinating selection from across the globe. Excellent!” http://www.johansens.com/europe/england/hampshire/chewton-glen
Education through Innovation – St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London.
“The use of luggage tags is an example of a brilliant interactive idea to help educate the customer as well as get them thinking about the particular wine they are drinking and the vineyard it is from. More of this please!” http://www.johansens.com/europe/england/london/st-pancras-renaissance-hotel
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
All Special Commendations receive a Magnum of Taittinger Brut Réserve NV. The Category Winners receive a Jeroboam of Taittinger Brut Réserve plus an accredited wine and spirit course from The Wine & Spirit Education Trust. The Overall Winner selected from all the entries will be awarded a weekend for two in Reims. Included in the prize is a tour and tasting at Champagne Taittinger’s Cellars, two nights with dinner, bed and breakfast and return travel. All finalists and winners receive a framed certificate.
The expert judging panel for the 2015 Condé Nast Johansens Champagne Taittinger Wine List Awards was headed by Sarah Jane Evans MW, Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine and award -winning wine writer. Fellow judges comprised Kevin McKee, UK Director, Family Taittinger, Tim Fay, Account Director UK & Ireland, Condé Nast Johansens, and Graham Cox, Director at Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Fiona Patrick, from Condé Nast Johansens acted as facilitator and joint organiser of the Wine List Awards.
Champagne Taittinger is one of the few remaining major Champagne houses to be owned and managed by the family named on the label. Making Chardonnay dominant and elegant Champagnes appealing to the independently minded, Taittinger is distributed in the UK by sole agents Hatch Mansfield.
Condé Nast Johansens, from the publishers of Vogue, GQ, Condé Nast Traveller and Glamour, is the premier reference guide for independent travellers. Condé Nast Johansens remains the most comprehensive illustrated reference to independently owned hotels inspected annually. With dedicated and highly trained Local Experts, almost 10 times as many properties have been assessed as appear online or in the Guides, in order to narrow the final selection down to the best selection of accommodation for independent travellers. With a readership of 5.5 million, the Guides' distribution now totals 28,500 worldwide.
For further information please visit www.condenastjohansens.com or contact Harriet Robertson, Melody Rayner or Richard Pickard in the Condé Nast press office on 020 7152 3388/3807/3474.
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