A LUXURY Lake District hotel has been classed as having one of the top 500 wine lists in the ‘world’.

The Samling Hotel, near Ambleside, earned the prestigious two star ranking in leading wine publication World of Fine Wine’s inaugural World’s Best Wine List Awards.

“We are delighted by the award because over the past couple of years the team has worked tirelessly on creating this wine list,” said general manager Alasdair Elwick.

The 48 page wine list was chosen from more than 4,000 nominations from across the globe, judged by some of the world’s leading wine authorities, including former World Sommelier Champion Gerard Basset MS MW, Andrew Jefford, Elin McCoy, and Tom Stevenson.

The award of a two star rating positions the hotel’s wine list alongside some of the most renowned restaurants including Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester and South Africa’s iconic Test Kitchen.

“With the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Raymond Blanc publically backing the awards, it shows how important these awards are to win in culinary calendar,” added Mr Elwick.

The title also marks The Samling with the highest rating for a hotel or restaurant in the north of England.

Its extensive wine list offers everything from Cousino – Macul, Merlot, 2009, at £25.00 to Château D’Yquem, 1st Cru Superieur, 2001 at a pricey £1,400, to a bottle of Château Petrus, 1989, which will set you back a steep £8,000.

Mr Elwick continued: “We want The Samling to become a world leading gastronomic destination and establishing the wine list as one of the best in the world is an important part of that.”

Set within 67 acres of land on the shores of Windermere, The Samling has already bagged a Michelin star in the 2014 guide and is the current holder of the Best Boutique Dining Hotel in the World title for 2013.