The 2023 Canadian wine award season began in early June with the Ontario Wine Awards.  There were 558 entries from 77 Ontario wineries.

Receiving the honour of the Winemaker of the Year was Peller Estates Winery’s Katie Dickieson.  She earned more gold medals than any other winemaker in Ontario.

The Niagara region’s Domaine Queylus attained the Red Wine of the Year award for its 2020 Cabernet Franc Tradition.  This wine is only available directly from the winery but at a very affordable price of $33.50 CDN.

The White Wine of the Year award was presented to Prince Edward County’s Norman Hardie for their 2017 Semi-Dry Riesling.  This wine comes at a price of $21.00 CDN and is available from either the winery or select LCBO stores.

This year Gold medals were awarded in the following categories:

Sparkling Wine Award (Traditional Method)

Gold medals were presented to:

• Malivoire Wine Bisous Rose NV
• Megalomaniac Bubblehead Limited Edition Brut NV
• Niagara College Teaching Winery, Balance Brut NV
• Thirty Bench Wine Makers, Sparkling Riesling NV
• Trius Winery, Showcase Blanc de Blancs NV

Sparkling Wine Award (Cuve Close)

The gold medal was awarded to Greenlane Estate Winery for their Saffron Sparkling Rose 2021

Riesling Award (Semi-Dry)

The gold medal was awarded to Megalomaniac Winery for their Narcissist Riesling 2021

Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon Award

Gold medals were awarded to:

• Peller Estates Winery, Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2021
• Palatine Hills Estate Winery, Wild & Free Semillon 2021
• Trius Winery, Showcase Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Unoaked Chardonnay Award

The Gold medal was awarded to Big Head Wines Inc. for their 2022 Chardonnay Stone

Oaked Chardonnay Award

Gold medals were awarded to:

• Exultet Estates, cru X Chardonnay 2018
• Konzelmann Estate Winery, Chardonnay Barrel Aged 2022

Gewürztraminer Award

The Gold medal was presented to Magnotta Winery for their Gewürztraminer VQA Venture Series 2022

Blanc De Noir Award

The Gold medal was awarded to 180 Estate Winery for their Gamay Rose 2021

Gamay Award

The Gold award was presented to 13th Street Winery for their Gamay 2021

Pinot Noir Award

Gold medals were awarded to:

• King and Victoria, Pinot Noir 2018
• Domaine Queylus, 2018 Pinot Noir La Grande Réserve

Cabernet Franc Award

Gold Awards were presented to:

• Big Head Wines Inc., 2020 Cabernet Franc Select
• Domaine Queylus, 2020 Cabernet Franc Tradition
• Peller Estates Winery, Signature Series Cabernet Franc 2020
• Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, Ravine Cabernet Franc 2020
• Thirty Bench Wine Makers, Wild Cask Cabernet Franc 2020

Merlot Award

Gold medals were presented to:

• Kacaba Vineyards and Winery, Signature Series, Reserve Merlot 2020
• Niagara College Teaching Winery, Dean’s List Merlot 2020
• Sprucewood Shores Winery, Merlot Hawk’s Flight Reserve 2020
• Thirty Bench Wine Makers, Small Lot Merlot 2020

Meritage & Cabernet Blends Award

Gold medals were awarded to:

• Konzelmann Estate Winery, Legacy Meritage 2020
• Magnotta Winery, Magnotta Legacy Limited Edition VQA 2018
• Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, Reserve Red 2020
• Three Dog Winery, Big Red 2020

Syrah / Shiraz Award

The Gold medal was awarded to Kacaba Vineyards and Winery for their Premium Series, Terraced Vineyard Syrah 2020

Late Harvest Reds & Whites

Gold medals were presented to:

• Peller Estates Winery, Private Reserve Late Harvest Vidal 2021
• Trius Winery, Showcase Late Harvest Vidal 2021

Other Red Wines

A Gold medal was awarded to Strewn Winery for their Select Late Harvest Cabernet 2017

Vinifera Icewine Award

Gold medals were presented to:

• Inniskillin, Cabernet Franc Icewine 2019
• Peller Estates Winery, Andrew Peller Riesling Icewine 2019
• Riverview Cellars Estate Winery, Riesling Icewine 2019

Unassigned Wine

A Gold medal was presented to the London Born Wine Co for their Chardonnay Musque 2020

I did not include the Silver and Bronze medal recipients.  However, the complete list is available at https://winesinniagara.com/2023/06/domaine-queylus-captures-red-wine-of-the-year-award/.

Sláinte mhaith