Today the Jamaica Observer will host the 16th edition of the Table Talk Food Awards on the East Lawns on the historic Devon House. The Table Talk Food Awards has contributed greatly to wine appreciation, sales and service by recognising wine importers, restaurant wine lists and great wine experiences.

Wine, as the natural companion for food, is globally accepted and we have noticed some improvement in the offerings in both the on-trade — where wine is sold and consumed (pubs, clubs, bars & restaurants) and off-trade — where wine is sold but NOT consumed (supermarkets, wholesales, gas station convenience stores) here in Jamaica. For this year’s wine awards we decided to recognise organisations from both those categories and below are our wine awards and the nominees for each category.

Best place to shop for wine: We would like to recognise the establishment that is the best place to shop for wine that you want to consume at home, at a friend’s house or as a gift. Where do our Food Awards judges consider the best retail outlet that offers the widest selection of bottles at the most affordable prices?

The nominees for best place to shop for wine are:

*Loshusan Supermarket, 29 East Kings House Rd, Kingston

*MegaMart Wholesale Club, 29 Upper Waterloo Rd, Kingston, Montego Bay & Portmore.

*John R Wong Supermarket, 1 Tobago Ave, Kingston

*Pricemart Limited, 111 Red Hills Rd, Kingston

*Petcom Dunrobin / Ocho Rios — 24 hours

*Champion Supermarket, Shop 1, Champion Plaza, DaCosta Drive Ocho Rios

*CPJ Market, 71 Lady Musgrave Rd, Kingston / 1 Guinep Way, Montego Freeport, Montego Bay

*Bin 26 Wine Bar, Devon House

*The Wine Shop, Shop 7B, Southdale Plaza, Kingston

*Uncorked Limited, Sovereign North, 29 Barbican Road, Kingston

A number of these retail locations also allow wines to be bought, opened and poured on location. They also offer wines by the glass, which also put them in the second wine award that we have this year

Best place to sip a glass or share a bottle with friends:

We would like to recognise those establishments in Jamaica that offer a wine list with a selection of wines by the glass, and also by the bottle, at fair prices. They should provide great service, good stemware, offering a bit to eat in a comfortable, relaxed environment.

The nominees for best place to sip a glass or share a bottle with friends are:

*Uncorked Limited, Sovereign North, 29 Barbican Road, Kingston

*The Wine Shop, Shop 7B, Southdale Plaza, Kingston

*Bin 26 Wine Bar, Devon House

*The Regency Bar & Lounge, Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel

*Fromage, 8 Hillcrest Avenue, Kingston

*Toscanini Restaurant, Tower Isle, Ocho Rios

*CRU, 71 Lady Musgrave Rd, Kingston

*Blend Bar+Lounge, The Jamaica Pegasus, Kingston

*Opa! Greek Restaurant & Chill Lounge, 75 Hope Road, Kingston

We look forward, come 2015, to offer a “Wine Steward Award” to recognise the wine pourers, persons in the industry who serve us the wines in these establishments. Please send your suggestions!

Christopher Reckord — Businessman, Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter: @Reckord