2021 China Best Champagne List Awards | Now open for Entry
Initiated by Sparkling+ Asia, the long-anticipated professional Champagne feast —— 2021 China Best Champagne List Awards is now open for entry. All restaurants/hotels/bars of the Greater China with Champagne wine list included are welcome to apply for the awards. It aims to recognize China’s most qualified and professional champagne lists and sommeliers every year; boost the Champagne market in Greater China; enhance the Champagne service quality in Chinese-speaking area; guide the catering professionals to understand and upgrade “Champagne wine” and “Champagne culture” knowledge; encourage more and more restaurants/hotels/bars to become the guide spot for champagne enthusiasts. 21 professional jury prizes, 12 public jury prizes and 2 special jury prizes will be rewarded. There will be two additional awards for the most influential Champagne House/Grower Champagne on social media. These two awards will be given to the producer winners to showcase the appreciation of Champagne enthusiasts.
Over 100 restaurants & hotels applied the two editions 2018 & 2019 and 16 prizes were rewarded each year. The potential of Chinese Champagne market has attracted worldwide attention. Eric Arnaud, the Chairman of the Jury, Michèle Chantome, General Secretary of the International Sommelier Association, and Marc Almert, 2019 World’s Best Sommelier, came to China, presented awards to the winners and highly commended the efforts and progress of Chinese sommeliers.
The epidemic did not hinder the third edition of 2020, more than 30 prizes were rewarded. In addition to the professional jury prizes, we added 5 public jury prizes. 100 wine professionals, media representatives and Chinese champagne enthusiasts attended the awarding ceremony dinner to witness the ultimate moment of the champagne industry. We are so honored to felicitate all the winners of this competition!
China Best Champagne List Awards – Key Dates
Registration Fee: Free
Entry Deadline: 15th December 2021
Professional Jury: 3rd January 2022 (Reims, France)
Public Jury: 25th December 2021 – 5th January 2022 (online voting)
Awards Dinner: 17th January 2022 (Shanghai, China)
* In case of the epidemic travel restrictions, the awards dinner date would be postponed and be informed.
INITIATOR
Lei MENG – Founder of Sparkling+ Asia
A leading and influential Champagne specialist in China, Lei MENG was inducted by the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne with the honor of “Dame-Chevalier” and “Dame-Officier” in 2017. Lei was the top three finalists for France during the 2015 European Champagne Ambassadors Competition. She was awarded The Communicator of The Year of “Trophées Champenois” 2017.
In Europe and Asia, Lei regularly organizes Champagne tasting events: master class for amateurs and professionals，as well as prestigious champagne dinners in cooperation with top sommeliers in Asia.
ABOUT THE CHINA BEST CHAMPAGNE LIST
The China Best Champagne List Awards was initiated by Ms. Lei Meng, who combines Union de Sommellerie Française Région Champagne-Ardenne as Awards Jury. It aims to seek China’s most qualified and professional champagne lists and sommeliers every year; support the development of the Champagne market in Greater China; guide the Champagne service quality in Chinese-speaking area; encourage more and more catering professionals to understand and upgrade “Champagne wine” and “Champagne culture” knowledge; encourage more and more catering professionals to become a guide spot for champagne enthusiasts.
ABOUT THE JURY
「 Who is L’UDSF? 」
L’UDSF, l’Union de la Sommellerie Française – French Sommelier Union, founded in 1969, consists of 21 regional divisions in France, now is having more than 1,400 registered sommeliers from all over France. It is a part of the International Sommelier Association – ASI since its foundation. L’UDSF has created and organized several important national and world competitions, including the every-two-year competitions The Best Young Sommelier of France (MEILLEUR JEUNE SOMMELIER DE FRANCE), The Best Sommelier of France (MEILLEUR SOMMELIER DE FRANCE), and the competition which several reputed Michelin chefs are proud of – The French Best Craftsmanship Award (MOF – CONCOURS UN DES MEILLEURS OUVRIERS DE FRANCE). The Champagne-Ardenne division is an important part of the UDSF, consisting of several senior sommeliers from Michelin and top restaurants in the Champagne region.
L’UDSF Champagne-Ardenne is co-organizer of China Best Champagne List since 2018.
「 The Chairman of the Jury 」
Eric Arnaud – Maître Sommelier of France
Chairman of the French Champagne-Ardenne Sommelier Union, Mr. Arnaud has worked as a sommelier for more than 20 years and owns the restaurant ‘Le Concept’. He provides wine knowledge training and consulting services for many prestigious hospitality management schools and restaurants.
AWARDS
2021 China Best Champagne List Awards will include following professional jury prizes:
- Best Champagne List in Greater China (TOP 3)
- Best Champagne List – Eastern China
- Best Champagne List – Southern China
- Best Champagne List – Western China
- Best Champagne List – Northern China
- Best Champagne List – Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan
- Best Champagne List – Independent Restaurant
- Best Champagne List – Chain Restaurant
- Best Champagne List – By the glass
- Best Champagne List – Chinese Restaurant
- Best Champagne List – Western Restaurant
- Best Champagne List – Bar (TOP 3)
- Best Champagne List – Best Bar Manager
- Best Grower Champagne List
- Best Champagne List – Hotel Restaurant
- Best Champagne List – Less than 30 wines
- Best New Champagne List (Open in 2021)
- Best Bio/Biodynamic Champagne List
- Best Champagne List Consultant
- Best Champagne List – Catering Groupe
- China Best Champagne Sommelier
In addition to professional prizes, every Champagne enthusiast is also a key judge, the 2021 China Best Champagne List will continue with the 2020 public awards. We have perceived that the champagne occupies a more and more important part in spirit industry, thus we separate awards for restaurants and bars for the fourth edition, as well as a new award for the Champagne Cocktail Bar of the Year. There will be two additional awards for the most influential Champagne House/Grower Champagne on social media. These two awards will be given to the producer winners to showcase the passion of Champagne enthusiasts in Greater China.
- The most popular restaurant/bar (Considering all factors)
- The most popular restaurant – Champagne List
- The most popular restaurant – Atmosphere
- The most popular restaurant – Wine Service
- The most popular restaurant – Food & Wine pairing
- The most popular bar – Champagne List
- The most popular bar – Atmosphere
- The most popular bar – Food & Wine pairing
- The most Popular Champagne Cocktail Bar
- The most Popular Bar – Bartender
- The most influential champagne producer on social media – NM
- The most influential champagne producer on social media – RM
In addition to the professional jury in France and the Champagne enthusiasts of Greater China, the 2021 China Best Champagne List will enhance more on crossover collaboration. A special jury group will be composed by artists, food and wine KOLs for the two additional awards:
- China Best Designed Champagne List
- China Best Food & Wine Pairing Restaurant
REGISTRATION CONDITIONS
The registered establishment has opened before 1st October and to be in operation.
The registered establishment must be open to public, not only for private or member use.
Hotels with more than one restaurant must submit one entry for each restaurant. Each entry must include the wine list and the menu.
Please submit the champagne list, which must include at least 5 champagne wines (including by the glass).
To enter the Best Catering Group Champagne List Award, organizations must submit a minimum of 2-3 champagne lists from different restaurants/bars within the group.
SUPERIORITY FOR AWARDS WINNERS
Authoritative Judging
The professional jury awards will be selected by L’UDSF Champagne-Ardenne and sommeliers selected in Paris. The jury will be led by Eric Arnaud, the Chairman of the union, who will organize the judgement with a jury consisting of senior Michelin restaurant sommeliers and authoritative champagne experts in Reims, France.
Witness of professionals & Media representatives
The fourth Edition, 2021 China Best Champagne List Awards Dinner will be held at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai on 17th January 2022. All organization and representative winners will be awarded at the event, with guests including professionals, media representatives, KOLs of gastronomy and representatives.
Professional champagne training
All participating institutions will have the opportunity to participate in professional champagne training provided by Sparkling+ Asia. The training will include champagne list making, tasting, champagne culture/knowledge, service, food & wine pairing, sales promotion and other aspects.
Cooperation Priority & Champagne Promotion Month & Media Exposure
The awarded F&B establishments will be considered in priority for future icon champagne events recommended by Sparkling+ Asia, such as Best Champagne List Promotion Month. Sparkling+ Asia will connect fine-dining restaurants & hotels in different cities of China with champagne houses & importers, as well as media partners to collectively promote the best Champagne list in mainland China.
The winning organization will have the opportunity to win a special prize prepared by the organizers.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Diversity
Diversity, the inclusion of a rich variety and sufficient depth of champagne selection.
Balance
Balance, the inclusion of Champagne house, grower champagne, cooperatives; selection of blanc de blancs, blanc de noirs and other types of champagne.
Quality
Quality of the selected champagne wines.
Appearance
Design of the wine list; clearness of the category; the easiness to understand, orthography.
Completeness
The completeness of information in the wine list, whether including detailed information and clear categorization.
*The judging criteria for the wine list is developed jointly with the chairman of the French Sommelier Union Champagne-Ardenne and Lei MENG, founder of Sparkling+ Asia. We assess the wine list from aspects of diversity, balance, quality, design, etc. It is worth noting that due to market differences, the price factor is excluded from the assessing criteria.
REGISTRATION
Candidates must submit application materials listed below:
- Completed application form.
- The complete champagne list (price information included, in PDF format).
- Menu (in PDF format).
- Please send the application materials to entry@sparklingplus.com with the subject “city
+ name of applicant + name of establishment + mobile number”. The organizing committee will review the qualification of applicants within 10 working days and confirm the validity of the application.
- For more information and to download the application form, please visit sparklingplus.com
*The venue will automatically be a candidate for the matching awards category according to their character.
*The organizing committee will conduct an on-spot investigation before December 15th, to verify the authenticity of applicants’ wine list. In case of inconformity between the actual wine list and the submitted one, the candidate will be disqualified and receive a public warning.
*Sparkling+ Asia reserves all rights for final explanation.
Please enter www.sparklingplus.com to download the registration conditions and Application form.
Registration form- 2021 China Best Champagne list
Please send all required materials (completed application form, all wine lists and menu) to entry@sparklingplus.com
MORE INFORMATION
Organizer: 槟客文化 Sparkling+ Asia
Co-organizer：L’UDSF Champagne-Ardenne
Contact:
Wenxin LI
Tel.: +86 150 0951 2784
Email: wenxin.li@sparklingplus.com
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