TWO Gwent fine-dining restaurants are in the running for a prestigious UK wine list awards.

The Crown at Whitebrook, near Monmouth, and its sister restaurant, which shares the same name, at the Celtic Manor have both been shortlisted for the Wine List Awards 2009.

Run by Condé Nast Johansens/Champagne Taittinger, the awards recognise excellence in the range of wines offered, value for money and presentation.

The Crown at Whitebrook one of three shortlisted in the small hotels, inns and restaurants in the UK and Ireland category, while the Crown at the Celtic Manor is in the UK and Ireland hotel and spas section.

David Hennigan, general manager at both of the restaurants, said: “We try to keep our wine lists eclectic and approachable with something for all tastes, from the classical to the lesser known. Each wine, however, must be an excellent example in its own category.”

The Crown at Whitebrook has already made it into the Good Food Guide 2009 top 40 and was in the Condé Nast Johansens top three wine lists in Great Britain in 2007.

The winners in the Wine List Awards 2009 will be announced in Knightsbridge on November 11.