Dear DFW Sommeliers, Please Make This New Year's Resolution...

Several local sommeliers deserve special recognition for their efforts. The industry standard used by wine consumers is the Wine Spectator award system. As I dine around, I am amazed to learn that too many restaurants do not submit their list to Wine Spectator or make small changes to their list in an effort to move up to the next level.

The Wine Spectator‘s Awards deadline is Feb. 1st, 2012. I urge anyone responsible for the wine program in a restaurant to get the presentation of your list into shape now and get the professional recognition that your work deserves!

Here are the guidelines and entry forms. Jump for more information.

Awards Are Given on Three Levels:

Award of Excellence
2,827 current winners
Our basic award, for lists that offer a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Typically, these lists offer at least 100 selections.

Best of Award of Excellence
833 current winners
Our second-tier award, created to give special recognition to restaurants that clearly exceed the requirements of the Award of Excellence. These lists typically offer 400 or more selections, along with superior presentation, and display either vintage depth, with several vertical offerings of top wines, or excellent breadth across several wine regions.

Grand Award
74 current winners
Our highest award, given to restaurants that show an uncompromising, passionate devotion to the quality of their wine program. These restaurants typically offer 1,500 selections or more, and feature serious breadth of top producers, outstanding depth in mature vintages, a selection of large-format bottles, excellent harmony with the menu and superior organization, presentation and wine service.