December 10, 2024 — On 9 December 2024, Star Wine List of the Year celebrated the best wine lists in the UAE with an awards ceremony held in Dubai. The Grand Prix was won by FZN by Björn Frantzén, at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, with Gold Stars awarded to five other restaurants and wine bars across a total of 11 categories.
“Judging the UAE has been a pleasurable but difficult task for the jurors!” said jury member Nina Jensen, two-time Best Sommelier of Denmark and Second-Best Sommelier of the World. “There is a clear overall focus on absolutely top-quality producers – it seems almost impossible to get a bad bottle of wine here. The tighter market structure makes each feature on a list matter more, as an expression of intent or philosophy. You get an overall sense of rapid development, and we are very much looking forward to following this region in the years to come.”
Star Wine List of the Year is a celebration of the great wine lists of the world and the teams behind them. Prizes in the UAE were awarded in 11 categories, with each category winner receiving a Gold Star. Many also qualified for the Star Wine List International Final, to be held in June 2025. The event was attended by the shortlisted sommelier teams, local press, and representatives from category sponsors Austrian Wine, Château d’Esclans, Nyetimber and Pahlmeyer.
About the jury
The jury for Star Wine List of the Year UAE 2024/’25 included four top international wine experts:
- Ferran Centelles, renowned sommelier, formerly of El Bulli
- Nina Jensen, Second-Best Sommelier in the World 2023 (ASI)
- Vince Truong, Dubai-based wine expert and educator
- Stephen Wong MW
Winners
Grand Prix
The best overall list.
Gold Star: FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
Best Austrian Wine List
The best wine list for Austrian wine, a category presented by Austrian Wine
Gold Star: The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Dubai
Best Sparkling Wine List
The best list for sparkling wine, a category presented by Nyetimber
Gold Star: FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
Best Long List
The best wine list with over 600 listings
Gold Star: FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
Best Medium-Sized List
The best wine list with 200-600 listings, a category presented by Château d’Esclans
Gold Star: BOCA, Dubai
Best California Wine List
The best wine list for wines from California, a category presented by Pahlmeyer
Gold Star: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Dubai
Best By the Glass List
The best list for wines by the glass
Gold Star: Clap, Dubai
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: BOCA, Dubai
Best Short List
The best wine list with fewer than 200 listings
Gold Star: Roka, Dubai
Best Newcomer List
Recognises a venue that has recently opened
Gold Star: FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
Special Jury Prize
Recognises a venue that has done something extra with their wine list, in terms of direction, style or value
Gold Star: The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Dubai
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.
