The suspense is finally over as the results of the prestigious wine event, nominated by wine professionals from around the world, were announced in a gala dinner and ceremony at Resorts World Sentosa
Resorts World Sentosa caused a buzz in the drinks scene when it announced its inaugural Wine Pinnacle Awards presented by Genting Singapore, as part of The Great Wine & Dine Festival 2019 taking place from October 10 to 12.
It’s the first-of-its-kind wine event where a jury of over 50 wine professionals from around the world was asked to nominate their favoured sips, regardless of wine origin, style or grape variety. Voting was done through an online balloting system, and an expert wine committee carefully assembled by Resorts World Sentosa served as the guardians of the award nominations.
These are revered pundit Doug Frost, who holds the prestigious Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles; Master of Wine Kenichi Ohashi; Swedish sommelier and Best Sommelier in the World 2007 Andreas Larsson; British wine and spirits expert and wine writer Robert Owen “Oz” Clarke; and Asia’s first Master of Wine, Jeannie Cho Lee.
(Related: Why Renowned Wine Pundit Jeannie Cho-Lee Loves Her Wines With Food)
THE BIG REVEAL
After months of hard work and deliberation, the results of the prestigious awards with 27 categories have been revealed this evening, in a lavish gala and awards ceremony attended by wine pundits and veterans in the F&B industry.
The Grand Jury Award, the most coveted recognition chosen by the committee from amongst all winners, went to Domaine Coche-Dury. Jeannie Cho Lee says: "The wines of Coche-Dury are the epitome of great, age-worthy white Burgundy. Their global influence as a beacon of quality and dedication is widely recognised but what many may not be aware of, is that the estate remains small; still family-run, dedicated to quality and modest in price when the wines leave the cellar. We applaud the family’s ongoing dedication to crafting incredible, intense wines and influencing generations of white wine growers around the world.”
Specific vintages from the Old World were also honoured that night with the Best 1996 Vintage Bordeaux going to the 1996 Château Latour, Pauillac, France and Best 2005 Vintage Burgundy (Red) being awarded to the 2005 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanee-Conti Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits, France. Other notable categories include Best 1999 Vintage Barolo, which went to the 1999 Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino, Barolo Riserva DOCG, Italy; and Best 2005 Vintage Rioja/Ribera Del Duero awarded to the 2005 Vega Sicilia, Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain.
New World sips were given the accolade they deserved, too. The 2009 Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA took home the Best 2009 Vintage Cabernet Based California Wine, while the 2008 Henschke, Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley, Australia was declared the Best 2008 Vintage Australian Shiraz/Syrah.
With the rise of Chinese wines, there was even the Best Chinese Red category, which went to Ao Yun, Yunnan, China.
(Related: Here's How You Can Master The Art Of Food And Wine Pairing, According To Experts)
Here is the full list of award winners:
Grand Jury Award
Domaine Coche-Dury
Best 1996 Vintage Bordeaux
1996 Château Latour, Pauillac, France
Best 1999 Vintage Barolo
1999 Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino, Barolo Riserva DOCG, Italy
Best 2002 Vintage Champagne
2002 Salon, Cuvée 'S' Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France
Best 2005 Vintage Burgundy Red
2005 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanee-Conti Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits, France
Best 2005 Vintage Rioja/Ribera Del Duero
2005 Vega Sicilia, Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain
Best 2007 Vintage Tuscan Red
2007 Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
Best 2008 Vintage Australian Shiraz/Syrah
2008 Henschke, Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley, Australia
Best 2008 Vintage Burgundy White
2008 Domaine Coche-Dury, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune, France
Best 2009 Vintage Cabernet Based California Wine
2009 Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA
Best Recent Release: New World Pinot Noir
Ata Rangi, Pinot Noir, Martinborough, New Zealand
Best Recent Release: Non-Burgundy Chardonnay
Kumeu River, Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu, New Zealand
Best Recent Release: Non-Champagne Sparkling Wine
Gusbourne Brut Reserve, Kent, England
Best Recent Release: Sauvignon Blanc
Didier Dagenneau, Pouilly Fume Silex, Loire Valley, France
Best Recent Release: South American Red
Almaviva, Puente Alto, Chile
Hidden Treasure: Australia
Tyrrell's Wines, Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley, Australia
Hidden Treasure: Bordeaux
Château Roc de Cambes, Bordeaux, France
Hidden Treasure: Burgundy
Mark Haisma, Burgundy, France
Hidden Treasure: Piedmont
G.D. Vajra, Petracine Langhe Riesling, Piedmont, Italy
Best Chinese Red
Ao Yun, Yunnan, China
Best Organic/Natural Wine Of The Year
Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Cuvée Marcel Lapierre, Beaujolais, France
Best Rose In The World
Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia, Gran Reserva Rosado, Rioja DOCa, Spain
Black Swan Of The Year (Most Thought Provoking Wine)
Gravner, Anfora Pinot Grigio Venezia Giulia IGT, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Best Friend Of The Earth (Most Environmentally-Conscious)
Miguel Torres, Familia Torres, Spain
Best Young Winemaker Of The Year (Under 40)
Morgan Twain-Peterson MW, Bedrock Wine Co., USA
Top Wine Influencer (Under 45)
Pascaline Lepeltier MS, Racines NY, USA
Unsung Hero
István Szepsy, Szepsy, Hungary
Credits
Images
Resorts World Sentosa
