November 18, 2024 — On 17 November, Star Wine List of the Year celebrated the best wine lists in Belgium with an awards ceremony held in Ghent. The Grand Prix was won by Paul de Pierre in Maarkedal, with Gold Stars awarded to seven other restaurants and wine bars in the other categories, including a Special Jury Prize for Restaurant Sans Cravate in Bruges.
“As a jury, it was incredibly challenging to select the winners for each category, as the quality of the wine lists we encountered was exceptionally high,” said jury member Salvatore Castano. “The level of care, expertise, and diversity reflected in each list made the decision-making process both rewarding and difficult.”
Star Wine List of the Year is a celebration of the great wine lists of the world, and the teams behind them. Prizes in Belgium were awarded in 10 categories, with each category winner receiving a Gold Star. Many of the winners also qualified for the Star Wine List International Final, which will be held in June 2024. The event was held in association with the Best Sommelier of Belgium competition. Austrian Wine, Château d’Esclans, Le Wine and Young Charly joined as category sponsors.
About the Jury
The jury for the Star Wine List of the Year Belgium 2024 included three top international wine experts:
- Nina Jensen, Second-Best Sommelier in the World 2019/2023 (ASI)
- Salvatore Castano, Best Sommelier of Europe and Africa 2021
- Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS
Winners
Grand Prix
The best overall list.
Gold Star: Paul de Pierre, Maarkedal
Special Jury Prize
Recognises a venue that has done something extra with their wine list, in terms of direction, style or value.
Gold Star: Restaurant Sans Cravate, Bruges
Best Austrian Wine List
The best wine list for Austrian wine, a category presented by Austrian Wine
Gold Star: Paul de Pierre, Maarkedal
Best Sparkling Wine List
The best list for sparkling wine
Gold Star: d’Oude Schuur, Sint-Martens-Latem
Best Long List
The best wine list with over 600 listings
Gold Star: Paul de Pierre, Maarkedal
Best Medium-Sized List
The best wine list with 200-600 listings
Gold Star: Fine Fleur, Antwerp
Best Short List
The best wine list with fewer than 200 listings
Gold Star: Vintage, Kontich
Best By the Glass List
The best list for wines by the glass
Gold Star: Zilte, Antwerp
Sustainable Wine List
Recognises a wine list that has put extra emphasis on the wine program’s overall impact, including wine growing, winemaking, packaging and transport.
Gold Star: Ona, Ghent
Best Newcomer List
Recognises a venue that has recently opened
Gold Star: Bar Julien, Antwerp
About Star Wine List
Star Wine List is the award-winning guide to great wine bars and wine restaurants around the world. It is available as an app and on www.starwinelist.com. It was launched in Stockholm (Sweden) in 2017, and is now live in more than 45 countries in the world. All venues are selected by top wine professionals
