BALTHAZAR TOASTS THREE-GLASS WINE LIST RATING
TWO leading Gold Coast restaurants have been rated among the country’s best after receiving three-glass ‘outstanding’ rankings in Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards 2018.
Balthazar Wine & Dining, at Crowne Plaza, Surfers Paradise, and Hellenika at Nobby Beach, which both received two-glass ratings last year, were the only Coast venues awarded the threeglass honour for outstanding wine lists this year.
Established 25 years ago, the wine list award rankings have become a go-to guide to restaurants around the country for foodies.
Sommelier David Stevens-Castro said Balthazar had worked to expand the regionality of the 500 wines on its list and the producers it represented.
“Champagne is our point of distinction,” he said.
“Having an attractive bythe-glass offering is very important and also an understanding of food and wine matching. This award and recognition brings more engaged consumers and as a result, venues trade up.”
Unlike most venues on the list, Balthazar’s wines are also sold to take away from its boutique bottle shop Tuesday to Saturday from 2pm to 9pm, with Mr Stevens-Castro usually available to share his expertise with customers.
“You will find wines as cheap as $14 and the most expensive bottle is a 2008 Penfolds Grange Shiraz – very cheap at $975.”