Home>Blog>Wine Spectator honours Lily Beach’s AQVA for outstanding wine and food pairing
08 July 2026
Wine Spectator honours Lily Beach’s AQVA for outstanding wine and food pairing
AQVA restaurant at Lily Beach Resort & Spa has once again been recognised by Wine Spectator, receiving the 2026 Award of Excellence for its wine programme and reaffirming its position among the world's leading wine-focused dining destinations.
The latest recognition follows AQVA's previous success in 2023 and reflects the resort's continued investment in wine curation, cellar development and food pairing. For chefs, sommeliers and food and beverage professionals, the award highlights the importance of integrating wine expertise into the overall dining experience.
Presented annually by Wine Spectator, the Award of Excellence recognises restaurants that offer thoughtfully curated wine lists featuring quality producers, thematic consistency and a strong relationship between the wines served and the cuisine presented.
At Lily Beach, the award-winning programme is anchored by AQVA's fine dining concept and supported by the resort's renowned Platinum Plan, which includes more than 90 premium wines and Champagnes sourced from leading wine-producing regions around the world.
Beyond the all-inclusive collection, the resort's Premium Wine Cellar houses more than 200 labels, featuring prestigious Champagnes, iconic Bordeaux and Burgundy wines, alongside notable producers from Italy, Spain, the United States, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
For culinary professionals, the breadth of the collection demonstrates the increasing importance of offering guests diversity in wine styles, grape varieties and vintages while maintaining careful alignment with the menu.
AQVA's dining concept also places strong emphasis on personalised pairing. During the day, the restaurant serves à la carte lunches overlooking the infinity pool, while evenings see the AQVA deck transformed into Les Turquoise d'Aqua, the resort's signature fine dining venue.
The dinner experience features bespoke menus built around premium ingredients including fresh lobster, Kobe beef and tomahawk steaks, with wines selected to complement each course and tailored to guests' individual preferences.
Central to the programme is the resort's Resident Sommelier, whose role extends beyond wine service to include personalised recommendations, guest education and the creation of bespoke food and wine pairings.
For chefs, this collaborative relationship between the kitchen and the sommelier is increasingly recognised as an essential element of contemporary fine dining. Successful pairing requires an understanding of flavour balance, acidity, texture, body and the progression of a menu, ensuring that both food and wine enhance one another.
General Manager Laurent Driole said the award reflects Lily Beach's long-standing commitment to gastronomy and beverage excellence.
“For 32 years, Lily Beach Resort & Spa has been celebrated for redefining luxury all-inclusive hospitality in the Maldives through exceptional gastronomy and one of the region’s most distinguished beverage offerings,” he said.
He added that the resort's wine cellar enables guests to explore rare labels and vintages while enjoying private culinary experiences in intimate settings across the island.
For the Maldives hospitality industry, AQVA's latest Wine Spectator recognition reinforces the growing importance of sophisticated wine programmes within luxury resorts. As guest expectations continue to evolve, investment in sommellerie, cellar management and curated food pairing is becoming an increasingly important differentiator in delivering world-class dining experiences.
