This award is presented to a restaurant featuring an Old World wine list of impressive range and variety. Eligible restaurants must have been in operation for a minimum of one year (at the point of nomination). The nominated restaurant must consistently exceeded the standards of excellence and provided extraordinary wine & dine experiences for guests.

** Nominees will be required to submit a wine list for evaluation

Evaluation criteria:

• Design & format: Nominated wine list should have a distinctive and transparent structural layout in terms of varieties, pricing, descriptive for guest easy reference and ordering
• Wine selection: Factors to consider include authenticity of source, complimenting the signature styles of cuisine,
• Value: The pricing structure takes into account all characteristics of the restaurant reflecting the level of service, pricing structure and variety of wines, vintage, new discoveries..

* AOE2016 Award Recipient will not be eligible for this award in AOE2017.

This award seeks to recognise an individual whose significant contributions over a minimum span of 10 years have led to the promotion and growth of excellence within the Sommelier profession. This individual is a visionary who has constantly strived for higher standards and contributed efforts to influence the development of the Sommelier profession.

Evaluation criteria:

• Professionalism: Nominee must be professionally trained and knowledgeable in all facets of wine service, from a restaurant’s wine procurements and wine cellar storage through to service delivery in the restaurant and the training of in-house sommelier.
• Wine Knowledge: Nominee posses good knowledge of available wines and their respective characteristics. Nominee should be able to recommend appropriate cuisine and wine pairings.

* AOE2016 Award Recipient will not be eligible for this award in AOE2017.

This award seeks to recognise an individual who possesses in-depth knowledge of wines. The nominee must be capable of delivering excellent wine service (salesmanship and wine recommendation) to enhance the customer’s overall dining experience. Eligible candidates must have been working in Singapore in the capacity of Sommelier for a minimum of ONE year (at the point of nomination), in a restaurant / restaurant chain that promotes culinary and service excellence.

Evaluation criteria:

•  Professionalism: Nominee demonstrates dedication and proficiency in acute business sense and offered the diners with quality wine pairing experience.
• Wine Knowledge: Nominee posses good knowledge of available wines and their respective characteristics. Nominee should be able to recommend appropriate cuisine and wine pairings.
• Guest relations: A lead-by action team leader, and that everyone must work harmoniously to ensure the timely production of quality service & wine experience.

* Overseas Development Programme 2016 Recipients will not be eligible for the attachment programme should they be selected as the recipient for the same award

* AOE2016 Award Recipient will not be eligible for this award in AOE2017.

This award is presented to a Wine Distributor in Singapore that features an impressive range and variety of excellent wines targeted towards its industry clients. Eligible candidate must have been in operation for one or more years (at the point of nomination).

Evaluation criteria:

• Variety: Nominated establishment has a wide range of wine labels available and constantly strives to improve the variety of products offered.
• Value: Nominated establishment offers reasonable prices in relation to the quality of products and services provided.
• Accessibility: Nominated establishment is conveniently located and easily accessible.
• Product Knowledge: Nominated establishment posses strong product knowledge and encourages education in consumers.

* AOE2016 Award Recipient will not be eligible for this award in AOE2017.

This award seeks to recognise a Wine Retailer in Singapore that features an impressive range of quality wine products. Eligible establishments must have been in operation for  6 months (at the point of nomination) and a physical store in Singapore and / or an online transaction services. The Wine Retailer of the Year should display exceptional resourcefulness in obtaining the product specific to the customers’ requirements and continually meet or exceed customers’ expectations.

Evaluation criteria:

• Concept & Decor:  Nominated retailers should posses a distinctive concept or theme.
• Variety: Nominated establishment has a wide range of wine labels available and constantly strives to improve the variety of products offered.
• Value: Nominated establishment offers prices in relation to the quality of products and services provided.
• Accessibility: Nominated establishment is conveniently located and easily accessible, incl. handicap access.
• Product Knowledge: Nominated establishment posses strong product knowledge.

* AOE2016 Award Recipient will not be eligible for this award in AOE2017.