Terroirs is runaway winner at Harpers' drink list awards

Terroirs, the London wine bar and restaurant devised by the team at Les Cave de Pyrene which has taken London by storm, was the runaway winner at last night's Drinking out Excellence Awards held at the Soho Hotel by Harpers Wine & Spirit.

In all 15 awards were handed out at a ceremony which is regarded as the drinks' equivalent of the Michelin awards.

Venues across the country were chosen by a panel of 25 judges including Masters of Wine, restaurant and wine critics, journalists and drinks experts. The judges were asked to consider the quality of the wine and spirits lists, how relevant they are to the style of cuisine, friendliness of service and the by-the-glass wine offer.

Terroirs, which opened in London in 2009 and serves quirky, naturally-made wines (nearly all are organic and biodynamic) with regional French cuisine, proved to be the hit of the year, winning three awards: Best Overall Establishment of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Wine Bar of the Year.

Other winners included:

• Best Drinks List in an Asian Restaurant
Hakkasan
London W17 1HD
Wine buyer Christine Parkinson always goes the extra mile to find unusual and successful matches for the modern Oriental dishes.

• Champagne Venue of the Year
Texture
London W1H 7BY
This Mayfair restaurant and Champagne bar has gained a name for offering an eclectic and varied list, including a good by the glass offer and a well-judged mix of big names and smaller independent producers.

• After Dinner Drinks Restaurant of the Year
Amber Restaurant
Edinburgh EH1 2NE
Located within the Scotch Whisky Experience next to Edinburgh Castle, Amber is winning a name for itself around the country for its great atmosphere and unrivalled selection of malts.

• European Wine Restaurant of the Year
Ransome's Dock
London SW11 4NP

Wine buyer and chef Martin Lam has an infectious enthusiasm for wine. He has not only put together a fantastic and affordable list for his popular Battersea restaurant, he works hard to come up with imaginative tastings and themed meals.

• French Wine Restaurant of the Year
La Trompette
Chiswick W4 2EU
This friendly Chiswick local is practically an insitution, offering an eclectic 600-bin list specialising in Burgundy and regional France.

• Italian Wine Restaurant of the Year
(Sponsored by CAVIT)
Enoteca Turi
London SW15 1SQ
One of the finest Italian restaurants in the Capital, there are more than 300 bottles on offer here, sourced from across Italy by wine-lover and owner Giuseppe Turi.

• New World Wine Restaurant of the Year
(Sponsored by Brown Brothers Wines)
The Harrow at Little Bedwyn
Wiltshire SN8 3JP
Roger Jones, who owns this lovely rural restaurant and hotel, is an Aussie and Kiwi nut. He's created a fantastic list using much of the contents of his own cellar.

• Spanish Wine Restaurant of the Year
Fino
London W1T 1RR
This trailblazer for Spanish Wines has again been chosen by the judges as the place to go for the best wines and sherries the country has to offer, all matched to delicious and authentic tapas and regional cuisine.

• Wine Pub of the Year
Coach and Horses
Clerkenwell EC1R 3DJ
This is a proper gastropub in the original sense, with splendid homemade grub and a small but perfectly formed wine list that is full of reasonably priced gems from around the world.

• Spirits Venue of the Year
(Sponsored by Chairman's Reserve)
Bramble
Edinburgh EH2 1JE
This venue has soul - from the music it plays to the laid-back approach of the staff to the great blend of classic cocktails to bespoke originals.

• Wine Personality of the Year
Eric Narioo
Les Caves de Pyrene
Champion of the notion of terroir and small producers, the inimitable founder of Les Caves de Pyrene has brought his unique sense of adventure when it comes to wine to hundreds of restaurants.

• Spirits Personality of the Year
Tony Conigliaro
This legendary bartender is widely acknowledged as one of the world's pioneering drinks creators, respected for his flair, creativity and vast knowledge.

For more information, contact Harpers' Managing Editor Claire Hu on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.drinkingoutexcellence.co.uk

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