Two D&D restaurants have beaten more than 200 competitors to win prizes in the prestigious 2011 Imbibe Wine List of the Year competition. Coq d’Argent jointly took Wine List of the Year and Le Pont de la Tour was awarded Champagne List of the Year.
Lists were judged on imagination, drinkability, accuracy, personality and accessibility, making the results a fantastic achievement for both restaurants. The judges were impressed with the wine list at Coq d’Argent, especially the equal treatment of Old and New World wines – both are listed according to region rather than grape variety.
The wine flights and comprehensive by-the-glass selection as well as considerate pricing also ensured that Coq d’Argent stood out. Praise was awarded to head sommelier Olivier Marie’s informative advice. He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I’ve spent 10 years working on the list and to have that work recognised is fantastic.” Le Pont de la Tour was singled out for an “ambitious” Champagne list that champions smaller growers as well as recognising the qualities of the grande marque brands.
Sommelier Nicolas Clerc was commended for selecting wines based on merit and the judges commented on his dedication to sourcing interesting styles and vintages. Nicolas said: “I’m very happy. It’s a balanced list. We make sure we have the classics, but also a lot of up and coming wine makers to bring a wider choice to our guests. We try to pioneer and understand what is going on in the wine world.”
