Hey, fancy cities of the world: Orlando’s got as much wine cred as the rest of you. And more than most others, quite frankly.
How can we be so bold?
Because Disney Springs’ Wine Bar George was recently awarded the distinction of Best Micro Wine List in the World.
“I have to say that an award that says, ‘World’s Best’ is pretty awesome,” says City Beautiful native George Miliotes, the Capital G behind WBG. “Being part of the group of winners of all The World of Fine Wine awards is rarefied air that we feel very lucky to be in — so many great programs!”
And by “great,” he pretty much means “world’s most elite.”
There are loads of wine list awards out there, you see, but Wine Bar George can’t compete in most for one reason: size.
“Being a small restaurant with a limit of 160-180 wines at the very most, we’re just never going to win simply because of those limitations,” Miliotes explains.
The World of Fine Wine, however, runs a competition that’s far more comprehensive.
The online quarterly is a favorite industry resource of one of WBG’s managers and when Miliotes looked, he and his staff decided to throw their hat it, though he admits he had zero expectations.
“The winners from the previous years weren’t just good wine programs — they were the creme de la creme.”
It was late summer when they heard some good news: They’d won honors in two categories for North America (Best By-the-Glass Wine List with Coravin(c) and Best Micro Wine List — that’s 200 bottles or fewer) — and were subsequently invited to attend the World Awards ceremony in London.
The email though, Miliotes laughs, seemed fraught with disclaimers.
“There was a lot of, ‘We understand this trip would cost a lot in time and money…’ language that made it seem like the writing was on the wall,” he relates, but ever optimistic, he flew in for a one-day jaunt.
“After I checked-in to my hotel, I realized I’d brought my 6’3″ son’s suit with me.”
Miliotes is 5’11.
And so, to an exclusive ceremony, with elite oenophiles in high attendance, Miliotes rocked a blue blazer and jeans amid a near-solid sea of suits — and in denim walked away with a top honor.
“For us, this is a big deal,” he says. A competition staffer told him afterwards it’s unheard of for a venue to win on its first attempt.
Among the most gratifying aspects of all of it, says Miliotes, is the ongoing teaching, training and learning that’s part of running the wine bar and restaurant daily.
“Yes, we have a cool selection of wines all served by the bottle, glass and ounce, but I feel it is the human element that brings the list to life. Our guest’s revelation of their first glass of Moscato or first ounce of Château Margaux, and everything in between, is what drives us every single day.”
In addition to the Micro List honor, Wine Bar George also won Best By-The Glass Wine List with Corvain(R) in North America and was honored by the World of Fine Wine with a three-star wine list designation — the highest they grant.
Miliotes finds it all thrilling, as do the wine fans who stop in and gawk at the neat, new award amid the bottles.
“We’re a 200-seat restaurant in Orlando, Florida,” he says.
With the best Micro Wine List in the world.
“When you add those three words,” says Miliotes, “it’s pretty darn cool!”
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