Cumbria hotel scoops top wine list award

Linthwaite House Hotel in Cumbria has won the Condé Nast Johansens Champagne Taittinger Wine List of the Year Award.

The results were announced at the 29th annual Johansens Awards for Excellence Dinner and 2011 Guide Launch at The Mayfair Hotel, London.

Judges described the winning entry as: “A really well put together list which is easy to read, educational as well as humorous and a joy to handle. Of particular note is the section on wines for the adventurous which among other things, goes into great detail on grape varieties and reveals true winemakers’ passion.”

The judging panel included Justin Llewelyn, ambassador for Champagne Taittinger; Sarah-Jane Evans MW, wine editor of BBC Good Food and Olive Magazine; Andrew Warren, managing director, Condé Nast Johansens; and Fiona Patrick, client services director for Johansens, who acted as facilitator and joint organiser of the awards.

While Linthwaite House Hotel won the Hotel & Spas category – UK & Ireland; The Bell at Skenfrith also triumphed in the Small Hotels, Inns & Restaurants category – UK & Ireland.
 
Commendations were awarded to the following venues:

•    Best Newcomer – The Old Rectory
•    Value For Money – Northcote Manor
•    Interesting Range Of Wines – Braye Beach Hotel
•    Best Dessert Wine List – Summer Lodge
•    Connoisseurs List – Limewood
•    Customer Education – Penmaenchuf Hall
•    Most Improved List – Middlethorpe Hall
•    Wine By The Glass – The Ritz, London

Gabriel Savage, 16.11.2010