Anthony Pieri, head sommelier of Melbourne’s Gimlet, which has been crowned as having the best wine list in the country, says the key to success is paying the same level of attention to a young couple drinking by the glass as a high-roller who wants to crack open a $12,000 bottle.

The Andrew McConnell restaurant took out Australia’s wine list of the year at a ceremony in Sydney on Monday, and also won the Victorian state title and the sommelier’s choice award.