Diner's Club Wine List of the Year Awards 2005

Monday, 9 May, 2005
M2
Diners Club announces the re-launch of its Diners Club Wine List of the Year Awards and has appointed Michael Olivier of M Squared to convene the competition for 2005.
Olivier, a well known wine and food writer and former national top ten restaurateur says, 'Started in the 1980’s by the late Peter Devereux, the annual awards were held in high esteem by both the Restaurant and the Wine Industry. I am thrilled that Diners Club is supporting these industries and offering Diners Club card holders a more exciting wine and food experience in restaurants throughout the country.' In making this announcement, Robyn Christie, Director Marketing and Sales for Diners Club South Africa said, 'These awards are aimed at encouraging food and wine-serving establishments to consistently improve the standards of winelists on offer. In addition, we took the opportunity to re-evaluate both the award categories and requirements to be closer in line with market and industry trends and look forward to the success of this year's events after a two year absence.' A panel of judges, which will sit in August, includes Clive Torr, Cape Wine Master; Lannice Snyman, a well known Restaurant Judge, Food Writer and Publisher; Arnold Vosloo, Sommelier; John Maytham, Restaurant Judge and Broadcaster; Roy de Gouveia, a Board member of Fedhasa; Catherine Bouttell-Coackley, Senior Wine Judge and Wine Trainer; and Liam Tomlin, an internationally trained Irish Chef who was Chef of the Year 2002 in Australia. Winners will be announced at ceremonies to be held in September. Restaurateurs will be able to enter for three awards, namely The Gold Award, The Platinum Award and The Award of Excellence. 'What we are looking for are restaurateurs who go the extra mile in compiling their wine lists, creating lists which are in harmony with the food style of their enterprises, offer a variety of cultivars, breadth in terms of wine of origin areas, wines not only from the respected large companies but from boutique and small production wineries as well as tell their diners what to expect in a wine, so descriptions and vintages are important', says Olivier. Restaurants are invited to enter the competition, entry forms for which will be available on line on the Diners Club website www.dinersclub.co.za during May. Closing date for entries is July 29th 2005. Further information is obtainable from winelistawards@dinersclub.co.za. Issued by M2 on behalf of Diners Club

WineLand