Award sponsored by

About the award

Introduced in 1998, this award recognises and outstanding contribution to promoting wine understanding and appreciation. Nominees are judged on the quality of their wine list and their ability to inspire customers to make wider and more adventurous choices in selecting wines.

Pale Hall Hotel & Restaurant, Bala, Gywnedd 

The dining room at Palé Hall is a grand space with high ceilings, ornate carved plaster and woodwork and floor-toceiling windows overlooking the grounds. Tables are dressed in crisp linens, and staff are friendly and efficient. Seasonality is paramount in the fiveor eight-course tasting menu.

Wine judging observations:

The wine list is helpfully laid out by region with informative introductions throughout. The concise by-the-glass selection includes some interesting bottles and some seriously fine wines served by the glass by Coravin.