13 November 2021. Words by YGOW.
The Wineslinger 2021 list of Australia’s top places for wine fun is here, and Brisbane’s rapidly growing scene has yielded a Top 10 to get excited about.
Some of us like to drink wine at storied dining institutions, where tossing up between back-vintage Barolo or Brunello alongside a hefty bistecca is how it’s done. Then, there are those who might prefer a frisky pét-nat over cheese and charcuterie in the confines of a heritage-listed former bank with a European makeover. And there are others, still, who get their kicks from premium German riesling under Coravin paired with dim sims and dan dan noodles. If the bars and restaurants that make up Brisbane’s Top 10 Wineslinger list this year are anything to go by, then it’s safe to say Queensland’s capital city is a place for all of us.
The recent growth of Brisbane’s dining scene has been meteoric, and along with it has come a radical change in the city’s wine culture. There are now risk-takers and rule-breakers where there weren’t before, standing shoulder to shoulder with established restaurants and wine bars that continue to set the bar high. Cellars are expanding, by-the-glass offerings are becoming more adventurous, and the quality of what’s available – both on the pour and on the plate – just continues to get better. This is where to make the most of it.
Here are Brisbane’s Top 10 places for wine fun in 2021
1889 Enoteca, Woolloongabba
Agnes, Fortitude Valley
Biànca, Fortitude Valley
Cru Bar & Cellar, Fortitude Valley
La Lune Wine Co, South Brisbane
Maeve, South Brisbane
Mosconi, Fortitude Valley
Mr Chester, Fortitude Valley
Rosmarino, Fortitude Valley
Snack Man, Fortitude Valley
It’s a fantastically mixed bunch, but one thing they all have in common is they love wine, and they want to share that love with you. Whether you’re in for the long haul or a quick drink and a snack, these Wineslingers just want to see you, and to share what they know, share what they love.
Venues have juggled capacity limits and revolving restrictions but are as eager as ever to uncork new blends, dish-up fine-tuned menus, and indulge in wine-fuelled fun.
And with freedom on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to remind yourself how much you love your regular wine-focused venues by both paying them a visit and getting your vote in for the People’s Choice. The Young Gun of Wine website also has detailed profiles on all the Wineslinger Awards top venues, with everything you need to know to find your next favourite haunt.
Vote on the People’s Choice here.
This year’s Wineslinger Awards trophies include top spot ‘Wineslinger’, ‘Best New Haunt’, the ‘Maverick’, which recognises a venue pushing the boundaries of possibility, and the publicly voted ‘People’s Choice’.
Everyone that votes in the ‘People’s Choice’ can go into the draw to win a host of amazing prizes, including a Liebherr wine cabinet, a year’s supply of wine from ygowstaging.wpengine.com, and gift packs from Cullen, Henschke, Ocean Eight and Swinney. People’s Choice voting is now live online via younggunofwine.comwineslinger. Voting closes on Monday 3 December at 12:00pm.
The 2021 Wineslinger trophy winners will be announced on evening of Monday 6 December.
