Arria Manager Danny Kane, Restaurant Manager Carol Gao, Sommelier Jason Shi with Wine Spectator 2007 Award of Excellence. [Photo: China World Hotel, Beijing]

Aria, the modern European signature restaurant of China World Hotel Beijing, has been recognized with US-based Wine Spectator magazine's Award of Excellence. The restaurant is one of only six restaurants on the Chinese mainland to receive the award in 2007.

Stefan Bollhalder, China World Hotel's general manager said, "Aria represents the best of the best for China World Hotel, Beijing. This latest accolade from the United States is testament indeed to the restaurant's remarkable achievements in developing a wine list that delivers the right balance between innovation and consistency. I would like to commend Aria Restaurant Manager, Danny Kane, for driving Aria's pursuit of wine excellence and express my appreciation to Wine Spectator for recognizing the team's dedication."

"China World Hotel's leadership has always been committed to wine education in China and Aria has been setting the benchmark, by pioneering wine dinners in Beijing attended by the world's most prominent winemakers as well as developing promising young talent in the industry. My team and I are extremely grateful to Wine Spectator for acknowledging our work," said Danny Kane.

Wine Spectator's Restaurant Awards also recognized restaurants from two other luxury Shangri-La hotels in China: Petrus at Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong and Jade on 36 at Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai.

The magazine acknowledges restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. To qualify, the list must present complete, accurate wine information, with vintages and appellations for all selections, including wines available by the glass. Typically, these lists offer at least 100 to up to 500 or more selections.