Wine List of the Year
Winner
Frog by Adam Handling
And finally, we come to the Wine List of the Year. Knocking 67 Pall Mall off its perch was Adam Handling’s Frog in Covent Garden, the top-rated restaurant overall with an average of 98.4/100 on the guide’s key measures of value, service, range and originality.
Author of the guide, Douglas Blyde (pictured above left), described Frog’s list as “an exhilarating, democratic, innovatively compiled offering.” Divided into categories including ‘esoteric – unusual and lesser-known varietals and regions’, ‘celestial – wines of organic and biodynamic principles’, ‘reflections – a homage to classic varietals and regions in newer places’, ‘mavericks – producers who made a difference and dare to be different’ and ‘no skool like the old skool – fine, rare and vintage’, Blyde was charmed by what he referred to as an “impeccable, non-discriminating list” “with massive personality, celebrating huge swathes of the globe”.
The work of Kelvin McCabe, who also picked up this year’s award for Sommelier of the Year, the list is carefully curated to pair with dishes by Masterchef: The professionals finalist Adam Handling, with ingredients often hailing from the restaurant’s West Sussex farm.
To read the full review, please click here.
