The Sommelier Choice Awards provides on-premise buyers and sommeliers a valuable benchmark for understanding which wines would make a compelling addition to a wine list.

The wines were judged in five categories: food pairing ability, typicity, quality, value, and packaging. The judges ask themselves, would I stock this wine, and is it good enough for customers to order a second glass? Wines are graded out of 100, with only those above 95 points winning the coveted Double Gold award. There are also category awards, with best in show given to white, red, sparkling, rosé, and an overall winner every year, by the bottle and by the glass – reflecting how wine is presented in restaurants.

Here are the 5thedition results:
No. 1 Spot: Wine of the Year - Sandeman 50 Year Old Aged Tawny Port.

WINE OF THE YEAR:
Sandeman 50 Year Old Aged Tawny Port, Potugal

WINE OF THE YEAR BTG
Porta Da Ravessa Vinho Branco White Wine Special Edition, Portugal

WHITE WINE OF THE YEAR
Wakefield St Andrews Chardonnay, Australia

WHITE WINE OF THE YEAR BTG
Carneros Cuvée, United States

RED WINE OF THE YEAR
Sandeman 50 Year Old Aged Tawny Port, Potugal

RED WINE OF THE YEAR BTG
Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile

SPARKLING WINE OF THE YEAR
Carneros Cuvée, United States

SPARKLING WINE OF THE YEAR BTG
Grand Brut, France

ROSE WINE OF THE YEAR
Angels & Cowboys Brut Rosé, United States

ROSE WINE OF THE YEAR BTG
Arca Nova Vinho Verde Rosé, Portugal


WINE OF THE YEAR BY VARIETAL:
Pinot noir: Bouchard Aine & Fil Fixin La Maziere, France.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Trefethen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, United States
Chardonnay: Wakefield St Andrews Chardonnay, Australia
Sauvignon blanc: Chaleur Blanc, United States
Tempranillo: Orube Crianza, Spain
Riesling: Goldtröpfchen Riesling Auslese, Germany
Shiraz: Zilzie Regional Collection Shiraz, Australia
Pinot grigio: Iris Vineyards Brut Sparkling Wine, United States