The Buyer | Record year for 2025 Star Wine List of the Year UK with The Buyer

The best wine and sommelier talent came together in London yesterday to celebrate and reward the best restaurant teams for how they have brought together their wine lists across a wide a range of categories.

In all there were 13 Gold Star awards handed out across 10 of the International categories that feature in all Star Wine List events around the world, and three that were specificallly for the UK: Best Rosé list presented by Miraval; Best Spanish list presented by Familia Torres; and Best Italian Wine List presented by Ceretto.

This was the fifth joint event hosted by Star Wine List and The Buyer and the biggest yet in terms of categories and the number of restaurants and venues that entered.

Richard Siddle, editor-in-chief of The Buyer, said: "Star Wine list does such a great job celebrating the wine talent there is around the world. We are here to help them do that in the UK."

He added: "A big well done to everyone who is here today. We can only have one overall winner in each category but to get on the shortlist is an achievement in itself."

What makes the competition particularly important for the finalists is it completely independently judged by a panel of leading and award-winning sommeliers from around the world, joined by UK on-trade consultant Queena Wong. This year's sommelier panel included Jan Konetzki, Nina Jensen and Stephen Wong MW.

Konetzki and Queena Wong were able to take part in the awards ceremony and share the judges' collective thoughts on each of the category winners.

International Categories

Grand Prix

– The best list overall.

This category is presented by Bibendum

Gold Star:
Hjem, Hexham

What the judges said:
“This was tough for the judges, given the already-incredible winners, but what we most highly desired was expert curation. This high quality list is mindfully and skilfully crafted – so much so that, upon reading, it feels different to its actual size. It is truly inspirational in how deftly it is shaped, beckoning readers (and myself) to want to go and delight in what it has to offer.”
Queena Wong

Best Long List

– For wine lists with more than 600 references.

This category is presented by Cloudy Bay

Gold Star:
Core by Clare Smyth, London

What the judges said:

“A list that will bring a smile to both people new to wine as well as old hands. There is a feeling of familiarity, like a wise and trusty friend by your side – a friend who takes you by the hand and guides you with ease from one region to another. This friend clearly knows a lot but shares their world with you without pretension. Even though it is a long list, it feels like it’s over far too soon (like those long summer school breaks you used to have). Filled with exploration and interest, from the old to the young, the rare to the new and exciting, and the classics to the seasonal, this was just such a pleasure to read.”
Queena Wong

Best Medium-Sized List

– Recognises the best wine list with 200-600 references.

This category is presented by Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné

Gold Star:
Where The Light Gets In, Stockport

What the judges said:
“This list is purposeful and keeps true to the essence of what the establishment set out to achieve, which is reflected passionately through each line. In keeping with the food and the environment, this winner feels completely harmonious: with new drops as well as known ones, you can feel the endeavour to tell their story while ensuring it is achievable by all consumers.”
Queena Wong

Best Short List

– Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings.

Gold Star:
Hjem, Hexham

What the judges said:
“This vibrant list perfectly demonstrates how a short list can be a true destination. It upholds a sublimely high bar of quality, feels greater than its size and appeals to a differentiated crowd of wine drinkers – without ever compromising the tight curation and polite prices.”
Nina Jensen

Silver Stars:

Aulis London, London
Corkage, Bath
Ken's, London
Muse by Tom Aikens, London
Olivier at The Chequers, Aston Tirrold
Plates London, London
Wild Shropshire, Whitchurch

Best By the Glass List

– Recognises the best 'by the glass' list.

This category is presented by Majestic Commercial

Gold Star:
Wild Corner, London

What the judges said:
“A taster and tempter's dream, this is a list which takes the ‘glass pour list’ concept and throws it out the door. Beyond the insanity of having so many wines to manage by the glass is the sheer audacity of the wines being poured, including sought-after old gems. The perfect place to take a rich friend who is paying and indulge in wines which are rarely poured by the glass.”
Stephen Wong MW

Best Sparkling Wine List

– Recognises the best list for sparkling wines.

This category is presented by Nyetimber

Gold Star:
HIDE, London

What the judges said:
“The winner of this category impressed us with their modesty and restraint, covering sparkling wines from humble Lambrusco to small grower Champagnes. And amongst the alternative bottle sizes, there is a choice of six different methuselahs from well known grand marques... Well, who am I kidding? They probably stock the biggest selection of sparkling wines in the world and they left us speechless!”
Jan Konetzki

Sustainable Wine List

– Recognises a wine list that has put extra emphasis on the wine program’s overall impact, including vine growing, winemaking, packaging and transport.

Gold Star:
Where The Light Gets In, Stockport

What the judges said:
“For sustainability to convince the masses it must go hand in hand with excellence – this list is a masterclass in exactly that! As a list, it constitutes a great example of a dogma successfully executed. With a 360-degree ethos, they furthermore champion local wines, a strong team spirit and responsible recourse management.”
Nina Jensen

Silver Stars:

Apricity, London
Bar Crispin, London
Dovetale, London
Restaurant Pine, Newcastle upon Tyne
Spry, Edinburgh

Best Newcomer List

– Recognises a venue that has recently opened.

Gold Star:
OMA, London

What the judges said:
“This wine list is like a breath of fresh, salty air. Full of indigenous grapes and small producers, it challenges the geographical perspective we are so used to. Guests have to consider if the region of interest is close to the beach, on an island or far into the mainland. We think it’s great!”
Jan Konetzki

Best Austrian Wine List

– Recognises the best list for wines from Austria.

This category is presented by Austrian Wine

Gold Star:
Moor Hall, Aughton

What the judges said:
“There is a taste of Austria in all pairings of this Michelin-starred menu. The judges complimented the selection of white, red and sweet wines in this winner’s wine list, and the sommelier has blended the best of Austria's natural wine realm alongside matured wines from ‘old school’ producers.”
Jan Konetzki

Silver Stars:

Chez Bruce, London
Clos Maggiore, London
Corinthia Hotel, London
Newcomer Wines, London
The Ledbury, London

Best California Wine List

– Recognises the best list for wines from California.

This category is presented by Pahlmeyer

Gold Star:
Dovetale, London

What the judges said:
“Not your typical Californian list, this selection widens the aperture on what the rather diverse AVAs of California can offer. With no shortage of iconic Cabernets, it also manages to shine a light on the great Pinot Noirs of the state and allow exploration into Chardonnay producers beyond just the old guard. Without being ungainly or massive, it manages to have something for any lover of Californian wine to enjoy.”
Stephen Wong MW

Silver Stars:

45 Park Lane, London
Claridge's Restaurant, London
Clos Maggiore, London
Core by Clare Smyth, London
Corinthia Hotel, London
HIDE, London

LOCAL CATEGORIES:

Best Italian Wine List

– Recognises the best list for wines from Italy.

This category is presented by Ceretto

Gold Star:
Doppo, London

What the judges said:
“An impressive Italian list – you can see why this is a favourite among those in the know who love good wine and good food. It has fabulous by-the-glass options, delightful older bottles to explore and an extensive but easy-reading bottle list to help consumers narrow their choices (even those with a new enthusiast’s level of knowledge). Reasonable prices entice patrons to explore and upgrade to wines they may not normally order. This is a place that will inspire many people toe-dipping into wine to dive in!”
Queena Wong

Best Spanish Wine List

– Recognises the best list for wines from Spain.

This category is presented by Familia Torres

Gold Star:
Mountain, London

What the judges said:
“A strongly philosophical list with a strongly modern point of view on Spain, from sparkling to refreshing, saline, and complex young whites, through rosé, orange, to reds with altitude and attitude. Respecting the influences of the coast, islands and mountains, this collection is not the largest, nor is it exhaustive, but it invites the diner to think differently about the wines of Spain and this is what brought the judges to agreement on its merits.”
Stephen Wong MW

Silver Stars:

HIDE, London
La Dame de Pic London, London
Noble Rot Lamb's Conduit, London
Noble Rot Mayfair, London
Row on 5, London
The Terrace Rooms & Wine, Ventnor

Best Rosé Wine List

– Recognises the best list for rosé wines.

This category is presented by Miraval

Gold Star:
The Terrace Rooms & Wine, Ventnor

What the judges said:
“What a delicious and diverse array of wine from a team that clearly loves rosé and understands that it does not begin and end with Provence. Lovely classics and gems sit alongside discoveries from different regions and countries, providing a taste of the spectrum of what is possible with this broad and exciting style. Furthermore, the pricing makes it hard to resist exploring through the list. Bravo.”
Stephen Wong MW