Riga restaurants have repeatedly won the highest recognition in the “Baltic Wine & Drinks Awards” contest, LETA agency was informed by the organizers of the event.
In total, the offer of 64 leading restaurants, wine bars, cocktail bars, hotel restaurants and specialized wine shops in the Baltic States, i.e. wine and drink cards, were evaluated in the competition.
On Saturday, at the award ceremony, Riga’s restaurants and bars were recognized as the best, or the most evaluated with three stars. In total, nine Latvian, seven Estonian and four Lithuanian restaurants and wine bars entered the Baltic “Top 20”, and the best restaurants and wine bars in Latvia were named as “Barents”, “Truff Le Pig, Riviera”, “Noble Wine”, “Max Cekot Kitchen”. “, “Snatch”, “B7” and “WhiteHouse”.
“Noble Wine” and “Barents Wine Collectors” were recognized as the best with three stars in the category of wine shopkeepers, while “Barents” was recognized as the best cocktail bar when evaluating the drinks offer, while the cocktails and drinks offer of “Whitehouse” was also evaluated with three stars.
For the first time, the Baltic “Top 50” sommeliers – the most popular masters of their trade in the opinion of wine lovers – were also determined in the public vote of the competition. Ivars Kalniņš (“Riviera”), Agnese Gintere (“Barents”), Tatjana Iovko (“Wine House”), Ingūna Majore (“Kest”), Jānis Kaļķis (“Elvi”) and Dmitrijs entered the “Top 10” competition from Latvia Sinkevich.
The competition is organized for the fifth year in cooperation with “Liebherr” by the wine and gourmet festival “Riga Wine & Champagne”, with the participation of a jury of world-renowned wine professionals.
Since its establishment in 2018, the aim of the competition is to attract the public’s attention to restaurants and bars with a thoughtful, customer-oriented wine offer, stimulating the formation of a wine culture.
Illustrative image. Photo: Pixabay
Riga’s Culinary Triumph: A Toast to Baltic Excellence!
Well, it seems Riga restaurants are snatching awards like a ravenous toddler in a candy store! Yes, you heard right—those culinary wizards in Latvia have once again topped the charts at the “Baltic Wine & Drinks Awards” contest, leaving our taste buds tingling and our wallets a tad lighter!
Now, let’s set the scene: A grand competition featuring 64 of the region’s finest—that’s not just any old culinary showdown! This is a competition where wine bars, cocktail bars, hotel restaurants, and specialized wine shops gather to strut their stuff. Kind of like a fashion show, but for food and drink! Can you imagine a sommelier strutting down a catwalk? “Red wine is in this season, darling!”
In an event that can only be described as the gastronomical Oscars, Riga’s top eateries blitzed their way to stardom. Nine Latvian hot spots joined the party in the “Top 20,” with only a few remaining seats for our Estonian and Lithuanian friends. Because let’s face it, if you’re not dining in Riga, are you even dining?
Among the accolades, we find the names **”Barents,” “Truff Le Pig,” “Riviera,” “Noble Wine,”** and a cheeky place called **”Snatch”**—oh, to be a fly on the wall when that one caught a review! Yes, “Snatch” is really a restaurant and not just a plot twist in a heist movie!
As for the wine shopkeepers, “Noble Wine” and “Barents Wine Collectors” proved they know their grapes (and maybe a thing or two about hoarding fine bottles), grabbing top honors with a dazzling three-star rating. And let’s not forget “Barents” being crowned as the best cocktail bar. Not that we’d ever condone mixing drinks and planning heists, of course…wink, wink!
But wait, there’s more! For the first time ever, the competition also introduced the Baltic “Top 50” sommeliers, and who topped the charts? Ivars Kalniņš from “Riviera,” among others, made it to the coveted “Top 10.” Does this give them the right to now tell us that our $9.99 bottle of wine is “merely a fruit infuser?”
The genius behind this fabulous competition is none other than the passionate folks at the wine and gourmet festival, **Riga Wine & Champagne**, working hand-in-hand with **”Liebherr”**. It’s like a partnership made in restaurant heaven, complete with a jury of world-renowned wine aficionados sniffing and swirling their way to choose the best.
And why all this fuss, you may ask? According to the competition’s spokesperson, the aim is to attract attention and cultivate a culture around wine that is as rich as the wines themselves. So, let’s raise a glass to Riga because when it comes to dining, they’re clearly doing it right—one star at a time!
So, whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or someone who believes a fine wine is anything that doesn’t require a corkscrew, Riga’s dining scene has something for everyone. Just remember, if a restaurant doesn’t have at least four awards, you might just end up in a dodgy fast-food joint with a side order of regret!
Cheers to Riga’s gastronomic glory—may the cocktails be ever in your flavor, the wines be ever deep, and the dining menus forever intriguing! 🍷
Riga’s restaurants have consistently garnered top honors in the prestigious “Baltic Wine & Drinks Awards,” as reported by the LETA agency, which is affiliated with the event’s organizers.
In this year’s competition, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted on the offerings from 64 of the most distinguished restaurants, wine bars, cocktail lounges, hotel dining establishments, and specialized wine stores across the Baltic States, focusing specifically on their wine and drink selections.
During the award ceremony held on Saturday, it was revealed that several bars and restaurants in Riga achieved the highest accolades, each receiving a coveted three-star rating. Notably, nine exceptional establishments from Latvia, alongside seven from Estonia and four from Lithuania, were celebrated in the elite Baltic “Top 20.” Among the standout venues in Latvia, “Barents,” “Truff Le Pig,” “Riviera,” “Noble Wine,” “Max Cekot Kitchen,” “Snatch,” “B7,” and “WhiteHouse” were recognized for their outstanding offerings.
“Noble Wine” and “Barents Wine Collectors” distinguished themselves as the leading wine retailers, each awarded the prestigious three-star rating in their category. Additionally, “Barents” was honored as the top cocktail bar based on its impressive drink selection, while “Whitehouse” also earned a three-star rating for its cocktails and drink offerings, further showcasing the vibrant cocktail culture in Riga.
The competition also marked the debut of the Baltic “Top 50” sommeliers, a list that celebrates the most esteemed sommeliers in the eyes of wine aficionados, determined through a public voting process. Latvia’s representatives in the “Top 10” included Ivars Kalniņš from “Riviera,” Agnese Gintere from “Barents,” Tatjana Iovko from “Wine House,” Ingūna Majore from “Kest,” Jānis Kaļķis from “Elvi,” and Dmitrijs Sinkevich.
This esteemed competition, which is organized in collaboration with “Liebherr” and the renowned wine and gourmet festival “Riga Wine & Champagne,” has now been running for its fifth year, showcasing a panel of world-class wine experts as jurors.
Since its initiation in 2018, the competition has aimed to draw public attention to restaurants and bars that prioritize a well-thought-out, customer-centric wine selection, thereby fostering a culture of wine appreciation within the community.
Illustrative image. Photo: Pixabay
What inspired Agnese Gintere to pursue a career as a sommelier, and how has her journey influenced the wine offerings at “Barents”?
**Interview with Agnese Gintere, Head Sommelier at “Barents”**
**Interviewer:** Agnese, congratulations on “Barents” receiving three stars at the Baltic Wine & Drinks Awards! How does it feel to be recognized among the best in the Baltics?
**Agnese Gintere:** Thank you so much! It’s an incredible honor. Our team has worked exceptionally hard to create a unique wine and cocktail experience, so this recognition feels like a testament to our dedication. We’re excited to be a part of Riga’s vibrant dining scene, and to stand alongside such esteemed establishments.
**Interviewer:** Can you tell us about what sets “Barents” apart from other wine bars?
**Agnese Gintere:** Absolutely! At “Barents,” we focus not only on a diverse selection of wines but also on crafting memorable experiences for our guests. Our approach combines quality, customer service, and a deep understanding of flavors. We like to engage with our patrons—educating them about the wines we offer while ensuring they feel comfortable exploring new varieties.
**Interviewer:** It’s clear that you’re passionate about wine! This year, the competition saw a record number of participants, with 64 establishments evaluated. Were there any surprises for you during the event?
**Agnese Gintere:** Yes, definitely! The sheer talent in the room was palpable. It was inspiring to see some new establishments making a mark alongside the classics. The diversity in offerings—especially from our neighbors in Estonia and Lithuania—shows a flourishing wine culture in the Baltic region. It’s testament to how far we’ve come as a collective dining community.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of the growing wine culture, how important do you think competitions like this are for fostering that in the Baltics?
**Agnese Gintere:** Competitions like the Baltic Wine & Drinks Awards are vital. They not only highlight the hard work of restaurants and bars but also encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing among the industry. Additionally, they attract attention to the importance of having a thoughtfully curated wine selection, which promotes a culture of appreciation for the art of winemaking and mixology.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, with so many accolades and recognition, what’s next for “Barents”?
**Agnese Gintere:** We’re more motivated than ever to continue elevating our offerings. We plan on hosting more wine tasting events, fostering collaborations with local vineyards, and expanding our by-the-glass options to include even more unique finds. Our goal is to keep the momentum going and contribute to Riga’s reputation as a culinary hotspot!
**Interviewer:** Sounds exciting, Agnese! Thank you for sharing your insights, and best of luck with your future endeavors at “Barents”!
**Agnese Gintere:** Thank you! It was a pleasure to chat! Cheers to another great year in wine and gastronomy!
