Thank you for your interest in the Diners Club Winelist Awards, for more than two decades a symbol accompanying the best wine lists in South Africa.

The following explains what we now look for when judging.

Please note:

A general note on listing wine vintages with wines:

• We do accept that vintages change and sometimes change without your knowledge.
• We will accept a rider to a list that carries wine vintages that says “subject to availability” or “subject to vintage change” but a list needs to set out with the display of wine-specific vintages as the default.
• We will not accept “2014/15” as an example of vintage identification, as the wine’s description should change per vintage.

SILVER

Your list could achieve a Silver Award if:
You enter a wine list with very few wines and representing very few categories in a list that falls below the standards set for a Gold Award.

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GOLD

Your list could achieve a Gold Award if:

• It contains a reasonable range of wine categories to showcase most and/or the major styles;
• It contains an adequate number of wines per category for the type of establishment (we assess restaurants as either casual; smart-casual or sophisticated, depending on menu, ambience and position and modulate expectations accordingly)
• It contains good content, which means respected examples of quality wines in each category;
• There are a fair number of wines by the glass offered; or from at least the main categories/styles;
• Wines are described for the diner with adequate tasting notes.

Note:

• A Gold Award wine list needs not carry the vintage of every wine.
• A Gold Award wine list needs not offer wine and food pairings.
• A Gold Award wine list needs not have a “reserve” or vintage section.
• Your list need not explain which regions the wine comes from (wine of origin) but this will help ensure Gold status.

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DIAMOND

Your list could achieve a Diamond Award if:
It meets all the requirements of a Platinum list and in addition –

• It displays the individual wines’ vintages throughout (no “split” vintages); but please refer to note on vintages at the beginning of these criteria);
• It contains an adequate number of wines per category for the type of establishment (see note at end);
• The list contains excellent wines in all/most categories and at varied price points;
• The list clearly contains exciting new wines along with classic labels;
• Also: It contains a reserve/select list of aged wines;
• Also: The list contains numerous and interesting wines by the glass, representing many of the wine categories and from multiple producers;
• It offers either very good, personalised and/or informative wine descriptions for the wines or restaurant has an accredited and verified sommelier team;
• The list (or the wine stewards/sommeliers) is able to offer personalised food and wine pairings;
• The list is free of notable errors in information;
• Your list explains which regions the wine comes from (wine of origin).
• The list has contents and/or an index to aid navigation; or navigation is made easy for the diner. Please Note:
• A Diamond list needs to carry accurate vintages.
• A Diamond list will ideally have some representation of foreign wines and certainly carry vintage or “reserve” wines.
• A Diamond Award wine list should offer wines in a variety of bottle sizes/formats.
• A Diamond Award wine list should explain corkage policy (if any).

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PLATINUM

Your list could achieve a Platinum Award if:
It meets all the requirements of a Gold list and in addition –

• It displays the individual wines’ vintages throughout (no “split” vintages - but please refer to note on vintages at the beginning of these criteria);
• It contains a very good range of wine categories to showcase all the major styles, as well as other (minor) categories;
• It contains an adequate number of wines per category for the type of establishment (see note at end);
• The list contains very good wines in all/most categories;
• The list contains interesting and newer producers and wines;
• The list contains a good number of wines by the glass from multiple categories/ styles;
• The list contains wines at varied price points to offer value throughout wine categories;
• The list carries informative wine descriptions that go beyond “copy and paste” from back label wine notes or distributors’ information (or are offered by a wine steward/sommelier);
• The list carries food and wine pairings and these go beyond standard “fish with sauvignon blanc” ideas and link your menu items to the wines on your list;
• Your list explains which regions the wine comes from (wine of origin). Note:
• A Platinum list needs to carry accurate vintages (please see vintages note at beginning of criteria).
• A Platinum Award wine list needs not have a “reserve” list but this will help attain Platinum status.
• A Platinum Award wine list needs not have foreign wines but this will also help attain Platinum status,
• A Platinum list needs to carry accurate vintages (please see vintages note at beginning of criteria).

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ICON

Your list could achieve an Icon Award if:
It meets all the requirements of a Diamond list and in addition –

• It carries an extensive international selection with good wines in multiple categories and/or from multiple countries (in other words not just a nominal selection);
• It contains an impressive reserve/vintage selection that displays a real interest in wine curation;
• It contains “flights” of particular wines;
• It displays a very significant interest in wine of the highest quality;
• It is free of errors in information;
• A sommelier is used by default;
• It represents a list of international stature.sizes/formats.
• A Diamond Award wine list should explain corkage policy (if any).

Information marked with an asterisk below will not be used for publication and is for internal use only.

How to fill in this form:

1. Enter the required details into the fields below.
2. You can save your entry as you go. Make sure you keep the browser open. Once a session has been saved, you can simply refresh your browser to return to the saved session.
3. Please note that you will not be able to save your uploaded documents, so make sure that you have them all ready to upload in one session.
4. For any queries or issues, please contact [email protected]

Submit Save

1. Restaurant entrants must be over 18 years of age to enter the competition.
2. Entrants have read the entry information and rules of the competition and submit entry subject to the conditions and requirements therein (see www.dinersclub.co.za).
3. Submit the completed Entry Form and required extras by COB 19 August 2022.
4. A panel of judges related to the wine, food and hospitality industries will select the winners of all awards which will be announced in September 2022, and published on the Diners Club website and in national publications.
5. Please note that previous results in this competition do not guarantee the same result in the following year as the quality of South African restaurant lists are continually improving and raising the standards.
6. Entries not completed in accordance with the rules and received later than the closing date cannot be accepted. The judge’s decision in relation to any aspect of the competition is final and binding on every person who enters.
7. No correspondence will be entered into.

I, the undersigned, have the authority to complete and sign this entry form on behalf of the establishment. I understand and accept the terms and conditions set out in this schedule and confirm that this entry form has been filled out truthfully and to the best of my knowledge.

I Accept

Ensure that you have read through the Judging Criteria and Conditions of Entry and have included the following with your entry:

• Completed and signed entry form
• An original of your current Wine List and supplementary wine/spirits/liqueurs
• A menu
• Photographs of the interior and exterior of the restaurant as well as of the table setting
• Photographs of glassware used for the wines.
• Brief profile of chef and barista
• Photographs of wine decanters (if used) and of wine storage conditions (white and red)
• Hi Res logo of restaurant
• Signature dishes images
• Diners Club members exclusive offer

(All originals can be collected from the Diners Club office after judging or at the awards ceremony)

If you would prefer to submit your entry via post, please send to the following address before the 30 August 2022.

Diners Club South Africa
Attention: Tshidi Motshabi
Constantia Valley Office Park – Block D
4 Ellis Street
Contantia Kloof
Roodepoort
1709