What is ‘wine service’? Experts define it as the way a bottle of wine is served to a gathering of guests. Wine service must include the handling of the bottle itself. Based on this definition, if you were to order a glass of wine in a restaurant, this would not be included under the definition of wine service. Instead, it is considered in the definition of ‘bar service’, perhaps a discussion for another day.
Photo credit: vivatysons.com
The wine service process begins with the selection of the wine, either from a list or by the recommendation of the restaurant wine steward or sommelier, or in the case of a private gathering, your host.
The first step is for the server or host to open the bottle of wine. They begin by removing the foil or capsule covering the cork using a knife or foil cutter. Then they make a clean cut just below the lower lip of the bottle to expose the cork fully.
When serving flat wine (wine with no bubbles), they insert the corkscrew by positioning the tip of the corkscrew at the center of the cork. Gentle pressure is applied and the corkscrew is twisted clockwise until the screw is fully embedded in the cork.
With the corkscrew securely in place, it is rotated approximately six half turns to ensure a firm grip on the cork. Then utilizing the lever arm of the corkscrew, the cork is slowly and steadily lifted upwards. Even pressure should be applied to prevent the cork from breaking or crumbling.
After removing the cork, the neck of the bottle should be inspected for any cork leftovers. A clean napkin or cloth should be used to gently wipe away any residue to ensure a pristine pour.
With the wine glass sitting on the table, the server’s dominant hand should grasp the bottom half of the wine bottle. The other hand holds a cloth napkin below the lip of the bottle to avoid dripping. The bottle should be placed over the wine glass and slowly and steadily turned down over the glass and the wine poured in the center or all along the side. The label should be turned forward, making it visible to the person being served in order to identify the wine that is being poured.
In the typical wine glass, the spread between the rim and the stem is generally the widest at the line for serving 150 millilitres (5 ounces). When the pour is complete, the bottle should be tilted up with a twist and the lip wiped with the napkin.
If serving a sparkling wine, it should be served chilled. An ice bucket is useful in this situation. The bottle needs to be opened gently and slowly, pressing the cork with the thumb while it is gradually being removed due to the pressure inside the bottle. The bottle should be tilted at a 45-degree angle to ensure that wine does not escape from the bottle. Pour the wine slowly and uniformly while holding the glass slightly tilted. This will help prevent the wine from spilling over the rim of the glass.
Once the last of the guests’ glasses are filled the wine service is complete.
For the eighth year, the British Columbia government has declared April as Wine Month in recognition of the vital role that the B.C. wine industry plays in the province’s economy, tourism and culture. Given the effects of the current economic uncertainty combined with the devastating environmental impacts of the past couple of years, this recognition is very timely.
Photo credit: winetourhub.com
B.C. Wine Month is intended to be a celebration of everything related to B.C. wine, including new 2024 vintage releases, including B.C. VQA wines, which consist of wines that are 100% produced in B.C., and for a limited time because of the 2024 environmental situation, Crafted in BC wines produced under the 2024 vintage relief and support program. See my post from November 9, 2024, “2024: A Year to Remember” for details regarding the events of 2024.
Wine Month is intended to recognize the people working in the wine and hospitality sectors who create memorable experiences for visitors from around the world that come to enjoy the wines and flavours of the region. This supports grape growers, winemakers and winery operations, increasing the market exposure to their excellent wines.
According to Wines BC (winesbc.com), there are 929 vineyards in British Columbia along with 369 licensed wineries. The B.C. wine industry generates about 3.75 billion dollars annually, contributes over 440 million dollars in federal and provincial tax revenues, and employs over 14,000 full-time workers. An estimated one million tourists are drawn to the region each year resulting in 452 million dollars in tourism-related revenue, along with 147 million dollars in tourism-related wages from over 2,600 associated jobs. This all boils down to 105 dollars being generated for the economy from every bottle of wine sold.
During the past six years that I have been writing this blog I have always steered away from political issues. However, today I feel compelled to speak out against Canada’s one time ally, the United States. With the return of Donald Trump to the White House’s Oval Office, Canada’s economy was placed under direct attack by Trump when he decided to impose twenty-five percent tariffs on Canadian imports to the U.S., without just cause. Similar sanctions have been imposed on Mexico and China and are being threatened against the European Union.
Photo credit: Manitoba Liquor Mart
In response to these bullying tactics by Trump, and as a proud Canadian, I will no longer purchase or write about American wine until such time as Trump refrains from his attack on Canada.
Canada has been the top export market for U.S. wines and Ontario’s provincial liquor board (the LCBO) has been among the largest purchasers of U.S. alcohol. In Ontario, imported wines are primarily sold through provincially owned and operated retail outlets, although recent regulatory changes have authorized 157 private grocery retail locations to distribute wine and beer.
The first phase of Canada’s response to the U.S. imposed tariffs includes tariffs on wine and spirits, in addition to many other products. Ontario is banning American liquor and the LCBO is removing American wine, spirits and beer from its shelves. This will represent about a billion dollars worth of American alcohol.
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland are also removing U.S. liquor from their store shelves. At last word Quebec is considering the idea. On the bright side these bans will serve to enhance the sale of Canadian wines in Canada, as well as European, Australian, South American and South African wines.
Hopefully the American people will convince Trump that the imposition of his tariffs will not only hurt international economies but his own economy as well. It is a sad situation.
Looking for ideas on what wine or whisky to give this year? Here are some of my favourite suggestions that should be available at your local liquor store or online.
FOR THE WINE FANS
Under $20
Fantini Sangiovese $11.45 CDN – Expressive ripe fruit, supple tannins, and well-balanced acidity contribute to an inviting and versatile wine, making it an easy choice any night of the week. Serve it alongside braised meat dishes or with tomato-based pasta dishes.
This is a wine my wife discovered while browsing the aisles of our local liquor store and it is now our go-to house wine.
Famille Perrin Réserve Côtes du Rhône $16.95 CDN – With floral, red plum, chocolate and spice notes, this wine goes well with Mediterranean-style pizza or hearty lamb stew.
France’s Côtes du Rhône region is one of my personal favourites.
Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling $19.95 CDN – Vibrant, with honey, fresh fig, herbs and citrus, this wine consistently delivers the fine, pure mineral for which both great Riesling and Ontario are so renowned. It may be cellared for up to 5 years and will be superb with lightly grilled or smoked fish.
This has been one of my standards when guests come over or to pair with barbecued fish.
Under $50
Fontanafredda Barolo DOCG $34.95 CDN – With aromas and flavours of red fruit, floral tones, berry, plum and a touch of licorice, this wine is extra-dry with balanced acidity, firm tannins and fruit flavours that linger on the finish. Barolo pairs well with game meats and mushroom risotto.
Barolo is my favourite type of Italian wine and to find one with a price tag under $50 is uncommon.
Famille Perrin Les Sinards Châteauneuf-du-Pape $43.95 CDN – Perrin is among the finest producers in the southern Rhône. Some grapes for this rich, age-worthy red come from their legendary Château de Beaucastel estate. Drink over the next decade with roast duck, roast lamb or grilled game meats.
I have been intrigued by Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine ever since a close friend brought me a bottle from the French district quite a few years ago. After visiting there myself earlier this year and sampling the wines I am even more smitten with them. To find a bottle for less than $50 is a true find.
For That Special Someone
Mazzetti Grappa di Nebbiolo da Barolo in Decanter $199.95 CDN – Crafted from the pomace of Nebbiolo from Barolo, Italy, this is pure quality and elegance. The decanter and stylish gift box make it as breathtaking on the outside as it is on the inside. It is the perfect gift for any grappa enthusiast.
FOR THE WHISKY DRINKERS
Under $50
Jameson Irish Whiskey $39.95 CDN – Jameson Irish Whiskey is a versatile, smooth blend of pot still and fine grain whiskeys. Bright, pale amber with subtle aromas of white flower, nectarine, ripe pear and clove. Mellow and approachable on the palate, with spicy vanilla, wildflower honey and ginger flavours.
This is a great introduction for anyone who is being introduced to the world of whisky. It was one of my initial favourites.
Under $100
Bowmore 12 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky $65.95 CDN – This Islay whisky expresses the essence of Bowmore with rich amber colour; subtle notes of citrus and honey with typical peaty smokiness; the flavours are sweet and delicious with heather and honey; a soft peat smoke note lingers on a long and mellow finish.
My initiation to Bowmore 12 was at a friend’s cottage. It provides a wonderful Islay experience at a better price point than many of its competitors.
Green Spot Irish Whiskey $89.95 CDN – This single pot still whiskey from Ireland uses malted and unmalted barley to give it a unique spiciness. Clove, apricot and oak toast aromas evolve to flavours of cedar, clove, apple and ginger. The long finish echoes spicy notes of clove, nutmeg, and ginger.
This is my go-to Irish Whiskey and I try to always have some on my bar shelf.
Under $200
Lagavulin 16 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky $174.95 CDN – Considered by many to be the benchmark for Islay malts, this classic pours a golden amber colour and wafts from your glass with intense smoky peat and iodine. The palate is full flavour, rich and smooth with peat, figs, dates and vanilla followed by an enduring smoky and dry finish.
I was introduced to Lagavulin 16 by my wife’s uncle during a trip to the distillery several years ago. Even though he was a descendant of the original owners of the Laphroaig distillery he wanted me to try Lagavulin, his favourite whisky. I tried it and it has been a staple on my bar ever since.
The Glenlivet French Oak Reserve 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky $114.95 CDN – The unique use of French Oak increases the intensity of the whisky, resulting in a richer and creamier finish along with a distinctive spiciness. Deep golden in colour, expect aromas and flavours of crème brûlée, sweet apple, gentle smokiness and peat alongside of lavender notes followed by a rich and complex finish.
This is another whisky that I like to always have on hand as one of my regular Scotch whisky choices.
For That Special Someone
The Glenlivet 18Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky $214.95 CDN – Distiller Alan Winchester takes this malt through a combination of cask types, including both first and second-fill American oak (for tropical fruitiness) and ex-sherry oak (for spiciness). The result is this golden-coloured dram with rich spicy aromas, toasty grain, vanilla and almond flavours and a long smooth finish.
This whisky I save for special occasions or when I want to treat myself.
The WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (NWAC) is the country’s largest competition, involving only 100 percent Canadian-grown and produced wines. The judging involves a select group of Canadian wine writers, educators, sommeliers and two international judges who spend a week assessing some 2000 wines and ciders. This year’s competition took place near Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Double Honour
The Winery of the Year and Small Winery of the Year is Kelowna British Columbia’s SpearHead Winery. In addition to the twin honours this year, they also had unprecedented success in an individual category (Pinot Noir), winning a total of seven medals for their Pinots, including three platinum, one gold, three silvers and a bronze. In total they earned a total of twelve medals.
Top 10 Wineries
Six of the top ten wineries this year are from British Columbia, with the remaining four from Ontario. The top ten are:
SpearHead Winery, British Columbia
Meyer Family Vineyards, British Columbia
Henry of Pelham, Ontario
Black Hills Estate Winery, British Columbia
Thirty Bench Wine Makers, Ontario
Quails’ Gate Estate Winery, British Columbia
Nostalgia Wines, British Columbia
Peller Estates Niagara-on-the Lake, Ontario
Lake Breeze Vineyards, British Columbia
Vieni Estates, Ontario
The Top 10 Small Wineries
Seven of the top ten small wineries are from British Columbia, with the remainder from Ontario. The top ten are:
SpearHead Winery, British Columbia
Meyer Family Vineyards, British Columbia
Nostalgia Wines, British Columbia
Lake Breeze Vineyards, British Columbia
The Organized Crime Winery, Ontario
Corcelettes Estate Winery, British Columbia
Black Bank Hill, Ontario
Kismet Estate Winery, British Columbia
Fort Berens Estate Winery, British Columbia
Lailey Winery, Ontario
Regional Top 10 Winners
British Columbia
SpearHead Winery
Meyer Family Vineyards
Black Hills Estate Winery
Quails’ Gate Estate Winery
Nostalgia Wines
Lake Breeze Vineyards
Corcelettes Estate Winery
Nk’Mip Cellars
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
Kismet Estate Winery
Ontario
Henry of Pelham
Thirty Bench Wine Makers
Peller Estates Niagara-on-the-Lake
Vieni Estates
The Organized Crime Winery
Black Bank Hill
Two Sisters Vineyards
Lailey Winery
Hidden Bench Estate Winery
Marynissen Estates
Platinum and Gold Medal Winners
Only 1% of the wines entered earn a Platinum Medal. This year, 18 out of 1,800 wines received this recognition. Every Platinum winner has passed through a minimum of two tastings and a review by a minimum of five judges. These wines must be put forward by at least three judges in the first round and re-considered by at least five judges in the second round.
Earning a Platinum Medal greatly increases a winery’s performance score based on the mathematical degree of difficulty in reaching Platinum. This helps to decide the Winery of the Year and the Top 25 list.
Platinum and Gold medals were awarded in the following categories, presented alphabetically below:
Cabernet Franc
Platinum Medal
Black Bank Hill 2020 Cabernet Franc, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Vieni Estates 2022 Cabernet Franc, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Gold Medal
Bordertown 2020 Cabernet Franc Reserve, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Domaine Queylus 2022 Cabernet Franc Réserve du Domaine, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
The All Canadian Wine Championships (ACWC) were held earlier this month. It is open to all Canadian licensed wineries, cideries and meaderies and content must be grown and made in Canada. This year there were 995 entries submitted by 173 wineries.
The panel of judges consisted of wine writers, sommeliers, and professional wine judges from the Wine Judges of Ontario. There were 10 judges from Ontario, 2 from Alberta and 1 from each of Quebec and New Brunswick.
The 2024 trophy winners were as follows:
The Best Sparkling Wine of the Year was presented to British Columbia’s (BC) Bench 1775 Winery, for their 2020 Blanc de Blanc ($39.75 CDN).
The Best Red Wine of the Year was BC’s Sunrock Vineyard’s 2021 Shiraz ($40.24 CDN).
The Best White Wine of the Year was awarded to BC’s Van Westen Vineyards, for their 2022 Viscous ($27.40 CDN).
The Best Dessert Wine of the Year was Quebec’s Vignoble du Marathonien, for their 2021 Vin de glace ($50.00 CDN).
The Best Rosé Wine of the Year was awarded to yet another BC winery, Hester Creek Estate Winery, for their 2023 Rosé Noir ($32.19 CDN).
The Best Fruit Wine of the Year was presented to another BC winery, Maan Farms Winery, for their N/V Raspberry Dessert ($29.99 CDN).
The Best Cider of the Year was Nova Scotia’s Domaine de Grand Pré, for their N/V Vintage Sparkling Cider ($29.00 CDN).
The Best Mead of the Year was presented to Manitoba’s Shrugging Doctor Beverage Co, for their N/V Apple Cinnamon Mead ($18.47 CDN).
Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals may be awarded in each category. Double Gold and Gold medals were presented to the following participants:
Sparkling Wine-Traditional Method
Gold
Two Sisters Vineyards, ON – 2021 Lush Sparkling Rosé – $57.80
Two Sisters Vineyards, ON – 2020 Blanc de Franc – $63.80
Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, ON – N/V Brut – $44.80
Sparkling Wine–Charmat Method
Double Gold
Bella Terra Vineyards, ON – N/V Sparkling Rose – $24.95
Gold
Three Dog Winery, ON – 2023 Debut Sparkling – $27.80
Harbour Estates, ON – 2023 Sparkling Riesling – $25.00
Sparkling Wine–Frizzante Method
Double Gold
Planters Ridge Winery, NS – 2022 SEK – $22.43
Gold
Jost Vineyards, NS – N/V Luvo Sparkling White – $5.89
Chardonnay, Unoaked
Double Gold
Calamus Estate Winery, ON – 2023 Unoaked Chardonnay – $18.95
Gold
Kacaba Vineyards and Winery, ON – 2023 Select Series Unoaked Chardonnay – $15.95
Chardonnay Under $35.00
Double Gold
Wending Home, ON – 2021 Chardonnay Estate Vineyards – $34.95
An American wine club operator from Napa Valley, California had arranged for a group of his members to take part on our recent river cruise aboard the Scenic Sapphire, through the Burgundy and Rhône wine regions. The group excursion included the CEO of Cuvaison Estate Wines of Napa, California, Dan Zepponi.
While sailing down the Rhône River between ports, Zepponi treated the passengers to two seminars; the first was an exploration of Chardonnay wine. The presentation included tastings of two different Chardonnays from Cuvaison which were compared to two French Chardonnays that are regularly served as part of dinner service on the ship.
The tastings were conducted as a head-to-head comparison. First, his unoaked Methibiton Chardonnay, was compared to an unnamed, unoaked French wine. The second comparison was between two oaked Chardonnays, Coeurtina from his winery against a second unidentified French.
In each comparison I found the flavours of the Napa wines to be extremely close to the French, though to me the French was slightly more mellow and smoother. The Cuvaison wines are priced at $70 US each and are only available directly from the winery. In comparison, the ships wines would have an equivalent price of approximately $15 – $20 US per bottle.
During the second seminar Zepponi discussed micro-lots as they pertain to the wine industry. When a winery wants to produce a type of wine but does not have enough of the varietal in their own vineyard they may purchase the varietal from another grape grower. The purchased grapes are then used to make a specific wine exclusively from that purchased micro-lot. This allows the winemaker to better control the grapes being used and the wine produced, in a similar manner that would be done if the vintner was using their own estate grown grapes.
Two taste comparisons were conducted, the first was with Cuvaison’s 2022 En Cigar Chardonnay Blanc and the ship’s undisclosed Sauvignon Blanc house wine. The second comparison was conducted using their 2022 Fiddlestix Pinot Noir and an undescribed French Pinot Noir. I favoured the French Sauvignon Blanc over the Cuvaison but did find Cuvaison’s Pinot to be smoother and less fresh that the French Pinot. Once again though, the price between the American and French wines was significantly different – $70 US for both Cuvaison’s versus under $20 US for the French wines.
Unfortunately, the two seminars lacked substance and honesty as they were actually marketing presentations for Cuvaison wines. Zepponi would have had more credibility in my eyes if he had presented his talks as being an introduction to Cuvaison wines. There was no value in conducting taste comparisons with wines that are not even identified by name, let alone any information about where or how the wines were produced. He should have simply talked about how his wines are produced.
Based on information presented about the various Cuvaison wines, they are producing decent wines at a reasonable price point. However, the feeble attempt at conducting product comparisons was an insult to the intelligence of the ship’s passengers.
This is a good time of year to have a whiskey tasting party. A whiskey tasting can be done in a couple of different ways. The simplest method is to just get a few bottles together and let everyone help themselves while they sit around and chat about the ways of the world. However, it can be more interesting if everyone is tasting together and there’s a progression of styles to sip from. This technique is similar to that of a wine tasting party.
Photo credit: southerndrinkingclub.com
If following the second approach, first determine how many people will attend and then how many whiskies you want to sample. If everyone is tasting the same whiskey at the same time it is probably best to keep the number of attendees to under a dozen. This will make it easier to keep organized and maintain a well-structured group conversation about each sample.
When deciding on which whiskies to try, you could follow a specific theme or make your selections based on ones you personally enjoy. The experts suggest that the number of whiskies should range from five to eight with each pour being about ½ an ounce. Following this guideline, you will only require one bottle of each whiskey. Depending on your approach, you can either provide the whiskies yourself or ask each guest to bring a bottle.
Regarding the number and type of glasses to use, some enthusiasts only use snifter or Glencairn style glass but white wine glasses with small to medium bowls work equally as well. Your guests only need a glass or two at a time, so you can either dispose or finish the remains after each tasting, rinse out the glass and proceed to the next. This saves on glassware plus the clean-up time afterwards.
Allow people to taste each sample first without adding any water. Then give them the option to add a couple of drops of water to see if that affects the taste. It is a good idea to provide a pitcher of filtered or bottled water served at room temperature and liquid droppers, which can be obtained from most pharmacies. When adding water, it is important not to dilute the whiskey, thus no more than a teaspoon should be added. Whiskey flavours are easier to identify as you lower the relative alcohol content, thus diluting your whiskey a few drops at a time helps open up new flavours to experience.
On the topic of water, each participant should be provided with drinking water to cleanse the palate between tastings, as well as to keep themselves hydrated. Crackers or plain bread, such as a baguette are also good ways to cleanse the palate between tastings.
It is a good idea to have a container available for your guests to pour out whiskies they don’t care for. The goal here is to experience a range of whiskies, not encourage anyone to drink something they don’t like.
The best way to progress through a tasting is to sip the lightest whiskey first and end with the richest and/or most heavily flavoured/smokiest one. As host, it’s a good idea to taste everything yourself prior to the event in order to know which order the whiskies should be served in. Keep in mind that lighter coloured whiskey doesn’t necessarily mean it is lighter in flavour.
If you decide to select your whiskies using a theme, options include selecting by country, such as all American, all Irish, all Scottish, all Japanese, etc. Another option is selecting all single malts, whether from Scotland or a selection from different parts of the world. Comparing whiskies of the same age or from a single region are a couple of other options.
When it comes time to sample each whiskey, begin by “nosing” or smelling the whiskey. When it comes to tasting, hold the first sip in your mouth for several seconds before swallowing. On subsequent sips, concentrate on discovering the flavours and aromas. Then after adding a few drops of water explore the flavours again.
With all the discussions, nosings, water additions and subsequent re-tastings, you can expect to spend at least a couple of hours exploring your selections. Most importantly, the experience should be enjoyable for everyone. It’s a bonus if either you or your guests discover a new favourite whiskey along the way.
This year was the 22nd addition of the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (NWAC), which took place in Penticton, British Columbia. There were 1,930 entries from 255 wineries. All entries to the competition are 100 percent grown and produced in Canada.
Photo credit: winealign.com
The National Wine Awards presents four major awards: The Canadian Winery of the Year, The Best Performing Small Winery, Icewine of the Year and Cider of the Year. Within each of the 37 categories, wines are eligible to compete for Gold, Silver or Bronze medals, all topped by Platinum medals, which are presented to the highest one percent of wines across all competition categories.
The major award winners and the Platinum and Gold medal winners from the top 25 wineries are presented below:
The Winery of the Year is Hidden Bench Estate Winery in Beamsville, Ontario. Being one of the most respected Niagara wineries since its inception 20 years ago, Hidden Bench has finally won Winery of the Year honours by earning 12 medals – two Platinum, five Gold and five Silver. Congratulations to proprietor Harald Thiel and his team, including winemaker Alex Baines and viticulturalist Joel Williams.
The Platinum and Gold winning wines were:
Platinum
Hidden Bench Pinot Noir Felseck Vineyard 2020
Hidden Bench Chardonnay Tete De Cuvée Rosomel Vineyard 2020
Peller Estates Niagara 2021 Andrew Peller Signature Series Rieslin
The 2023 Best Performing Small Winery of the Year was presented to Deep Roots Winery of Naramata, British Columbia. Deep Roots had the best-scoring top five wines in the competition among wineries producing fewer than 10,000 cases. Their 2020 Reserve Chardonnay earned a platinum medal, one of only three Chardonnays to do so, as well as four gold medals for:
Deep Roots Parentage Red 2020
Deep Roots Gamay 2022
Deep Roots Syrah 2020
Deep Roots Sauvignon Blanc 2022
British Columbia wineries dominated the Small Winery category, claiming nine of the top ten rankings. The remaining top 10 small wineries are as follows:
2. Corcelettes Estate Winery, British Columbia
3. SpearHead Winery, British Columbia
4. Township 7 Vineyards & Winery, British Columbia
5. Painted Rock Estate Winery, British Columbia
6. Van Westen Vineyards, British Columbia
7. Orofino Vineyards, British Columbia
8. River Stone Estate Winery, British Columbia
9. Moon Curser Vineyards, British Columbia
10. The Organized Crime Winery, Ontario
Note: A minimum of five wines must have been entered to be eligible for Winery of the Year and the Top Wineries lists. Ranking was determined by the total score of their top five wines, not total number of medals.
The complete listing of all the winning wines from this year’s event is available on the Canadian Wine Awards website, www.winealign.com/awards.
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
A Layman's Wine Musings 