April 17, 2025 — On 15 April, the international guide to the world’s best wine lists hosted its first competition in Japan. The winners of Star Wine List of the Year 2025 were announced at an awards ceremony at ProWine Tokyo, hosted by Founder and Publisher Krister Bengtsson with judges Reeze Choi and Toru Takamatsu MS, and Osaka proved the country’s standout wine destination, winning eight of the 11 Gold Stars presented.
“The inaugural season for Star Wine List of the Year Japan brought an outstanding array of lists,” said judge Stephen Wong MW. “Expectedly, Champagne, Burgundy and natural wine were superbly represented by numerous precious, cellared collections which rank amongst the finest in the world. Notably, the rising recognition of Japan’s own vinous treasures is what elevates these lists into their own unique sphere.
“The judges had robust discussions on the role of vinifera and hybrids on the future of great Japanese wine and wine lists; a conversation not replicated anywhere else. Japan’s maturity and deep understanding of wine is amply demonstrated by the medium- and small-sized wine lists, which display deft handling of smaller collections with finely-honed selections – a refreshing change from the massive, minimally-curated collections seen in some other parts of the world.”
The jury panel was completed by sommelier Paz Levinson and, together, the four judges named Osaka wine bar Le Chat Noir as the overall Grand Prix winner, with the city otherwise represented by winners Hajime, Chi-Fu and Shimanouchi Fujimaru Winery (the latter two being jointly recognised for their Japanese wine selections in a special, local category for Best Japanese Wine List). Tokyo’s Sézanne and Gyoza Bar Chaozu, and La Vigne Dining Fûdo, in Nagano, also received Gold Stars.
Winners in the international categories will now go on to compete in the Star Wine List of the Year International Final, which will be held in Vienna, in June 2025.
The jury
The jury panel for Star Wine List of the Year Japan 2025 included four renowned wine experts:
- Toru Takamatsu – Master Sommelier
- Stephen Wong – Master of Wine
- Paz Levinson – Best Sommelier of the Americas 2015 (ASI)
- Reeze Choi – Third-Best Sommelier of the World 2023 (ASI)
The winners
International categories
Grand Prix – the best list overall
Gold Star: Le Chat Noir, Osaka
Best Long List – for wine lists with more than 600 references
Gold Star: Sézanne, Tokyo
Best Medium-Sized List – 200-600 references
Gold Star: Chi-Fu, Osaka
Best Short List – fewer than 200 references
Gold Star: Le Chat Noir, Osaka
Best By the Glass List
Gold Star: Chi-Fu, Osaka
Best Sparkling Wine List, presented by Nyetimber
Gold Star: Gyoza Bar Chaozu, Tokyo
Best Newcomer List
Gold Star: La Vigne Dining Fûdo, Nagano
Sustainable Wine List
Gold Star: Hajime, Osaka
Best Austrian Wine List, presented by Austrian Wine
Gold Star: Chi-Fu, Osaka
Local categories
Best Japanese Wine List, presented by Craft Wine Shop
Gold Stars: Chi-Fu, Osaka; Shimanouchi Fujimaru Winery, Osaka
About Star Wine List
Star Wine List is the award-winning guide to great wine bars and wine restaurants around the world. It is available as an app and on www.starwinelist.com. It was launched in Stockholm (Sweden) in 2017, and is now live in more than 45 countries. All venues are selected by top wine professionals.
