Aria picks up wine list of the year award

Aria restaurant in Brisbane has won the Australian Wine List of the Year Award.

It’s a big win for then restaurant in Brisbane’s CBD. It’s the first time a Queensland eatery has picked up the prize in its 25-year history.

Aria’s international wine list is impressive. It starts with a Grand Cru 2009 Romanee Conti Richebourg Burgundy ($2950) and a Grand Cru Chateau Blanc 2001 Saint-Emilion ($2376).

But the two Australian wines are the most expensive with the 1952 Penfolds Bin 60A Cabernet-Shiraz ($12,000) and the Seppeltsfield Grand Tawny Para 100 Centennial Port which sells for $400 a glass.

The least expensive wines are the Terredonda Grillo white wine from Sicily, ($46), Bartlett’s by Taltarni NV Sparking wine ($50), Smallfry Stella Luna Cinsault-Shiraz ($50) and Liquid Rock ‘n’ Roll Whole Lotta 2016 Rose ($53).

Aria’s head sommelier, Ian Trinkle, was recognised as the nation’s top sommelier.

He received the Judy Hirst Award honouring the woman who helped set up the contest.

Born in Philadephia, he completed a history degree in his home state before studying winemaking in Washington DC.

Trinkle has put together a collection of 1200 bottles from all corners of the world.

He recently said in an interview tjhat Queenslanders had developed a discerning palate for fine wines and were especially fond of vintage French, Italian, Spanish and Queensland wines.

The judges said Mr Trinkle’s list “offered greater depth and gravitas” than any other in the country.

Chairman of judges Peter Forrestal said the results showed Brisbane is right up there “with the best in the country” for wine and food.

“There’s an embracing of the new darlings — white and red Jura, Beaujolais and Sicily — amazing depth in the classic regions of Burgundy, Bordeaux, Barolo, and the Rhone — as well as a redefining of Australia’s classic reds. “Thoughtful curating has gradually refined an outstanding list which has morphed into Australia’s finest in 2018,” Mr Forrestal told The Australian.

24th July 2018