Chicago's Consumers Gets Sommeliers Choice Awards Educational Content

The Sommeliers Choice Awards connects with Chicago by enhancing the city’s renowned dining scene with top-rated wines and providing local sommeliers and enthusiasts access to high-quality selections. The awards help shape local wine trends and offer opportunities for Chicago’s food and beverage professionals to engage with exceptional wines.

The Chicago Drinks Guide is a comprehensive resource dedicated to the vibrant beverage scene in Chicago. It typically features information about the city's diverse range of drinks, including cocktails, craft beers, spirits, and non-alcoholic options. The guide provides recommendations for the best bars, restaurants, and lounges in Chicago, showcasing the latest trends and must-try beverages. It may also include profiles of prominent local bartenders, mixologists, and beverage professionals, as well as insights into local events and drink-related news. The Chicago Drinks Guide serves as an essential tool for both locals and visitors looking to explore and enjoy the city's dynamic drink culture.

The connection between the Sommeliers Choice Awards and Chicago primarily revolves around the city's vibrant food and beverage scene, which aligns well with the awards' mission. More importantly, Chicago is the host city of this prestigious international wine competition.

The 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards is all set to happen in May 20225 in Chicago. Here’s how SCA and Chicago are connected:

1. Culinary Hub

Chicago is known for its diverse and high-quality dining establishments, including a notable number of top-tier restaurants and bars. The Sommeliers Choice Awards, which focus on wines that are well-suited for restaurant wine lists and by-the-glass programs, aligns with Chicago’s role as a culinary hub that demands excellent beverage selections.

2. Wine Selection and Availability

Winning wines from the Sommeliers Choice Awards often find their way onto menus and shelves of prestigious Chicago restaurants, bars, and wine shops. This ensures that local consumers have access to top-rated wines, enhancing the quality of their drinking experiences in the city.

3. Professional Influence

Chicago is home to a significant number of sommeliers, wine experts, and beverage professionals. The insights and recommendations from the Sommeliers Choice Awards help these professionals curate exceptional wine lists and provide better recommendations to their patrons.

4. Local Events and Education

The Sommeliers Choice Awards may feature local events, tastings, or seminars in Chicago to highlight award-winning wines and educate both trade professionals and consumers. Such events offer opportunities for local enthusiasts to experience and learn about top wines recognized by the awards.

5. Market Trends

The awards reflect trends and preferences in the wine industry, which can influence the wine market in Chicago. By showcasing wines that are trending or highly recommended, the Sommeliers Choice Awards help shape local wine culture and consumer preferences.

6. Promotion and Recognition

Chicago-based wineries or distributors that win awards can gain increased visibility and prestige in their local market. This recognition can boost their reputation and sales within the city, benefiting both the wine producers and local consumers.

In summary, the Sommeliers Choice Awards connect with Chicago through the city’s strong food and beverage scene, its influence on wine selection, and the opportunities it provides for local professionals and enthusiasts to engage with award-winning wines.

The introduction of Regional and Category Ambassadors and Experts for the Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 can greatly benefit Chicago’s sommeliers in several ways:

1. Enhanced Knowledge and Expertise: By interacting with these Ambassadors and Experts, sommeliers can gain deeper insights into specific regions and beverage categories. This expanded knowledge helps them make more informed recommendations and stay ahead in their field.

2. Professional Development: The program offers an opportunity for sommeliers to learn from leading figures in the industry, broadening their skills and understanding of emerging trends, which is crucial for their career growth.

3. Networking Opportunities: Connecting with these experts provides sommeliers with valuable networking opportunities, allowing them to build relationships with influential professionals and potentially open doors for future collaborations or career advancements.

4. Global Recognition: As the Sommeliers Choice Awards aims to elevate its international status, sommeliers associated with the competition can gain visibility and recognition on a global scale, enhancing their professional reputation.

5. Access to High-Quality Selections: Through the program, sommeliers can familiarize themselves with the competition’s winning selections, which represent some of the best products in the market. This helps them curate superior beverage offerings for their establishments, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.

Overall, this initiative not only strengthens the sommelier community by providing education and recognition but also supports their ongoing professional development in an ever-evolving industry.

Sommeliers Choice Awards is an international wine competition organized by Beverage Trade Network that helps wine producers around the world grow in the on-premise channels of the USA market. The main objective of the competition is to benchmark wines that are great for restaurant wine lists and for by-the-glass programs.

Sommeliers Choice Awards was created with a clear vision to create a wine competition that truly reflects the expertise and preferences of sommeliers, and to reward wines that are a great fit for on-premise channels and wine consumption.

The wine competition has grown consistently over the last 6 years and now has become one of the most important wine competitions in the USA for wine brands that are looking to set them apart for on-premise channels.

Why are Sommeliers Choice Awards different?

Wines are judged in five categories: food pairability, typicity, quality, value, and packaging. Judges consider two overarching questions whilst considering these five categories: “Would we stock this?” and "Will the consumer buy the second glass?" In essence, then, the entire focus of the awards is finding wines that are a great fit for wine lists and by-the-glass programs.

Sommeliers Choice Awards has created a reputation for bringing on-premise trade buyers wines that are a great fit for wine lists and by-the-glass programs. Sommeliers can see the winning wines and use them to curate their wine lists.

Here are our first batch of global experts and ambassadors:

Marc R. Kauffman: Regional and Category Ambassador For Emilia-Romagna and Sangiovese.

Marc Kauffman, a seasoned wine expert, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Sommeliers Choice Awards as the Regional and Category Ambassador for Emilia-Romagna, Italy. With certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Society of Wine Educators, Marc has an impressive background that includes roles as a finalist on PBS's The Winemakers Season 2 and a producer on Best Bottle. Marc’s extensive experience in the wine industry spans positions in corporate beverage operations, wine and spirits distribution, and sustainable wine packaging, making him a key figure in promoting the rich offerings of Emilia-Romagna on an international stage. Learn more about Marc Kauffman’s profile and SCA program here.

This is a great opportunity for wines from the Emilia-Romagna wine region and other Sangiovese wines to enter into the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards and grow their presence in the on-premise channels of the USA.

Chris Hackett, Regional and Category Ambassador for Portuguese Wines

Chris Hackett, the Sales Manager at Lionstone International, brings eight years of experience to his role as an ambassador. His expertise spans the wine regions of Portugal, South America, France, and California, making him a key figure in the Sommeliers Choice Awards. Chris’s ability to manage a diverse portfolio of over 700 wines, coupled with his deep understanding of the wine industry, positions him as a leading voice in promoting these regions on an international stage.

You can see all the details about Chris Hackett and the Sommeliers Choice Awards program here which includes his upcoming webinar details as well.

Gladys De Leon Boenig, Ambassador for Napa and Sonoma Wine Region

Gladys de Leon Boenig, with her unique blend of scientific expertise and passion for wine, serves as an ambassador for Napa and Sonoma. Her WSET 2 certification and deep connection to the wine regions of Napa and Sonoma make her an invaluable asset to the Sommeliers Choice Awards. Gladys has worked extensively with wineries in these regions, integrating her biochemistry background to enhance winemaking processes and the overall wine experience.

Sandra Gomes Rocha, Region and Category Ambassador for Portugal.

Sandra Gomes Rocha, a leading authority in Portuguese wine education, represents Fine Portuguese Wines in the Sommeliers Choice Awards. Sandra's journey began in her father’s wine business in New York, where she gained invaluable sales and operations experience. She later founded Diniz Cellars, Los Angeles’ premier Portuguese wine importer and distributor, overseeing all aspects of sales, marketing, and operations. With a deep-rooted passion for Portuguese culture, Sandra has become a prominent figure in promoting Portuguese wines, not just in Southern California, but globally. She holds a Wine MBA from Sonoma State University and has been instrumental in launching the first annual Portuguese Wine Week in 2024, highlighting the exceptional quality and cultural heritage of Portuguese wines.

Learn all about Sandra’s journey of promoting Portuguese wines in the USA here, including her upcoming webinar details for Portugal wineries. This is a great opportunity for wine producers from Portugal to enter the wines in the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards and get their wines in front of wine importers like Sandra as judges and also to learn from Sandra how to sell and promote Portuguese wines to Sommeliers of USA.

Jamie Knee, Regional and Category Ambassador For Santa Barbara Wine Country, Rioja, and Cava

Jamie Knee, known as the Petite Wine Traveler, is the ambassador for Santa Barbara Wine Country and Rioja. With ten years of experience in the wine industry, Jamie is a distinguished wine presenter, educator, and writer specializing in Santa Barbara, California, and Spanish wines. Jamie curates tasting experiences globally, consults for the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, and contributes to prestigious publications like Somm Journal and Tasting Panel. Her certifications include Certified Specialist of Wine, California Wine Appellation Specialist, Spanish Wine Scholar, and Rioja Wine Educator. Jamie’s active community involvement and her role as a wine judge in global competitions make her a vital ambassador for these regions.

Learn more about how Jamie Knee plans to help grow the awareness of Santa Barbara Wine and Rioja Wine region here.

Chris Saraiva, Region and Category Ambassador for Portugal.

Chris Saraiva, co-founder of Brands of Portugal, brings his entrepreneurial spirit and deep connection to Portugal’s wine heritage to the Sommeliers Choice Awards as the ambassador for Portugal. With a carefully curated portfolio of small, family-owned Portuguese wineries, Chris is dedicated to sharing authentic, terroir-driven wines with the world. His extensive experience in customer service and event management, combined with his passion for Portuguese wines, has positioned him as a leading authority in the U.S. market. Chris is committed to helping wine enthusiasts discover the perfect Portuguese bottle, fostering a community built on a shared appreciation for Portugal’s liquid treasures.

Learn more about Chris and his import company and how we plan to grow the category with educational content here.

Scott Barber, Joins Ambassador for Napa and Sonoma Wine Region

Scott Barber is the Regional and Category Ambassador for Napa. Scott specializes in connecting people with exciting new wines, whether they are novice consumers or top-level sommeliers. His experience includes developing and executing education programs at Napa’s top wine resort, Meadowood, and representing boutique producers in Napa, Sonoma, and Europe at the distributor level. Scott’s extensive knowledge and close ties with winemakers and importers allow him to direct several wineries into the Texas and California markets. His dedication to mentoring aspiring sommeliers and building profitable wine programs makes him a key figure in promoting Napa wines.