The wines were scored on the 100-point scale, on the one hand by an expert jury made up of sommelière Elena Rameder (Aelium, St. Pölten), winegrowers Theresa Breuer, Gunther Künstler & Lucas Pichler, joined by journalists Wolfgang Fassbender (NZZ) & Jürgen Schmücking (BioRama) and on the other hand by resort guests. Curator Willi Balanjuk (Á la Carte) moderated the event.
The ratings of the guests and those of the six-member jury of experts each contributed 50% to the final result, where the Pinot Noir from the renowned Domaine des Comtes Lafon came out on top.
The winner’s trophy, a work of art by the Austrian artist Markus Hofer, was presented to sommelière Sabine Ebner from the Hotel Kristiania.
‘The selection of wines on the Arlberg has always been strongly oriented toward the culinary,’ explains Hermann Fercher, Managing Director of Lech Zürs Tourism and organiser of the event series Arlberg Weinberg, which includes the Best Bottle Award. ‘That’s why the hotels and restaurants in this gourmet village have such a stunning selection of aged wines from all over the world in their cellars.’
The Best Bottle Award was created to demonstrate this special feature and to emphasise the diversity of the treasures waiting in the cellars. The concept was developed by premium wine retailer trinkreif, who also provided the trophy.
Usually, wine & gourmet affairs on the Arlberg are organised specifically for the guests. At this event, though, restaurateurs and sommeliers themselves are quite happy to be included: a wine competition in which the Arlberg restaurants enter their most extraordinary wines.
This year, contestants submitted wines vinified either from Riesling or Pinot Noir. The Rieslings had to be matured for a minimum of three years and could not cost more than 200 Euros on the wine list. The Pinots had to be cellared for at least five years and offered on the wine list for a maximum price of 300 Euros.
Gastronomic establishments from Zürs and Lech nominated great wines from all over the world for this award. Twelve wines made it to the finals and were served in a blind tasting at the Hotel Post Lech on Monday 31 January.
