The Star Wine List of the year was recently announced in Terra Skåne, southern Sweden, and the world’s top wine lists have been revealed.
Gold Stars have been awarded in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Thailand, the UK and USA in this annual contest, which celebrates the art behind wine list creation and curation, with sommelier teams from 28 competing countries attending, including Thailand, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Japan, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore and the USA.
One venue with much to celebrate was Bangkok’s Inddee, with head sommelier Thanakorn “Jay” Bottorff taking a second global Gold Star in a row for the international Best Medium-Sized List, after taking the same award in Vienna last year — he is becoming something of a veteran in the competition.
“I’m glad to be here and very honoured to be on this stage. I didn’t expect to get anything. I’m speechless, really – I can’t talk. I think a wine list is never-ending, so next time, we’re just going to keep improving and we’re not going to stop – just keep going," said Jay. What judge Stefan Neumann said about Inddee's wine list: "A list which captures your intention instantly. Imagine falling down the rabbit hole, but instead of just the Mad Hatter, you’re greeted by this sommelier and their incredible team, ready to guide you through the world of wine in all its facets and delights.”
A Silver Star was awarded to Vishvas "Vishi" Sidana for his wine list at Haoma.
Star Wine List is the international guide to the best wine spots across the world and the annual Star Wine List of the Year competition has steadily become one of the fiercest contests for the sommeliers who represent the talent – and hard work – behind exemplary wine programmes.
The current season began in September 2025 and has incorporated 14 live events spanning three continents, plus an online competition encompassing all remaining areas of the globe named the International Open.
Winners receive a Gold Star in their given category, with runners-up earning a Silver Star. From the regional winners of this season’s tour, a judging panel consisting of four Master Sommeliers reassessed the wine lists to decide who deserved global glory. Piotr Pietras, Jonathan Gouveia and Neumann were joined by Doug Frost (one of the few people in the world to hold both the Master Sommelier and Master of Wine titles), to form a jury.
