Inaugural NZ Wine List Of The Year Awards

For immediate release
March 19 2003

Inaugural NZ“Wine List Of The Year Awards” Announced

Wanted: Restaurants in your region, big or small, to take part in a new competition that will ‘raise 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 restaurants to enter the inaugural New Zealand “Wine List of the Year Awards” 2003.

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.

“The public have a far greater interest in wine than many restaurants are currently catering for,” says Mr Eerden. “The motivation behind these awards is to improve the deal the customer gets and to recognise licensed premises who incorporate wine as an integral part of the dining experience.”

Categories are:
- Cafe/ Brasserie
- Restaurant – small wine list (under 50 wines)
- Restaurant – large wine list (over 50 wines)
- Bar/ Club Restaurant – includes wine bars
- Classic Cuisines (French, Italian, Thai, etc)
- Regional (based in viticultural area)
- 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. All establishments who achieve a Recommended rating or higher will be issued with award certificates.

A highly qualified judging panel for 2003 comprises: - Master of Wine Bob Campbell, restaurateur/food and wine writer Johnny Cortizo, leading wine writer Vic Williams, media personality and wine enthusiast John Campbell, outstanding New Zealand winemaker Brent Marris from Wither Hills Vineyards, hospitality industry stalwart John Ingle, author and wine columnist Joelle Thompson and Chris Eerden.

Submissions for the Awards close on April 30, 2003. Judging will take place between 26 to 28 May.

ENDS

ISSUED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE NZ WINE LIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS BY PUBLICIS DRUM

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