Regions

British Columbia’s Movers and Shakers for 2024

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As the end of the year rolls around I think back to the year that was and which wineries left me with an impressionable mark.    My list varies in length from year to year as I like to focus on achievements rather than listing a specific number of wineries. Although B.C. wineries have had a very traumatic year, they continued to release some fantastic wines. The strength of B.C. wineries runs deep as they were awarded the majority of the awards at both the National Wine Awards and the All Canadian Wine Awards.

Here is my list of the wineries that have performed extremely well this past year. The wineries are presented in alphabetical order.

Black Hills Estate Winery

Black Hills last appeared on my list in 2022. This year they were fourth overall at the National Wine Awards.

Black Hills wine team is led by Ross Wise, one of only ten Masters of Wine in Canada. He has over 20 years of experience having worked in British Columbia, Ontario, and New Zealand, with an extensive background in organic and regenerative viticulture. 

Black Hills has practiced organic farming since 2020, incorporating regenerative viticulture practices. By working with nature and promoting biodiversity, they strive towards a self-sustaining ecosystem.

Their approach is based on traditional, time-honoured winemaking techniques that favour patience over efficiency. The fruit is hand-harvested and slowly fermented using native yeasts to build complexity.

Black Hills approach to winemaking is defined by careful craftsmanship and a deep respect for nature. They blend traditional winemaking methods with modern technology.

Their 2024 award winning wines include:

  • Black Hills 2022 Bona Fide
  • Black Hills 2022 Ipso Facto
  • Black Hills 2022 Addendum
  • Black Hills 2022 Syrah
  • Black Hills 2022 Roussanne

Corcelettes Estate Winery

Corcelettes appeared on my Movers and Shakers list for the first time last year. This year they were the sixth place small winery at the National Wine Awards. They credit their success to their commitment to farming their vineyards in the most balanced and sustainable way possible.

The estate contains nearly 160 acres, with 30 planted acres of mostly Bordeaux varietal grapes, Syrah and Pinot Noir. The vineyards are located in the Similkameen Valley.

Their 2024 winning wines include:

  • Corcelettes 2021 Syrah
  • Corcelettes 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown
  • Corcelettes 2021 Malbec Micro Lot Series Estate Vineyard
  • Corcelettes 2020 Talus
  • Corcelettes 2021 Chardonnay

Lake Breeze Vineyards

Lake Breeze previously appeared on my list in 2020. This year they placed ninth overall at this year’s National Wine Awards. They were also the fourth place small winery.

Lake Breeze is located on the Naramata Bench on Lake Okanagan. The MacIntyre family purchased the property in 2001. Since then, Lake Breeze has become one of the most beautiful wineries in British Columbia. They practice careful and meticulous viticultural practices. They endeavor to take the natural expression of the grape and transfer it to the bottle with minimal intervention.

The vineyard consists of a 14 acre parcel originally named Rock Oven Vineyards. The first vines on the property were planted in 1985, making them some of the oldest on the Naramata Bench.

Their list of 2024 award winning wines include:

  • Lake Breeze 2020 Cellar Series Mistral
  • Lake Breeze 2022 Roussanne Viognier
  • Lake Breeze 2023 Riesling
  • Lake Breeze 2023 Ehrenfelser
  • Lake Breeze 2020 Cellar Series Alizé Roussanne

Meyer Family Vineyards

Meyer Family Vineyards was awarded second overall at this year’s National Wine Awards.

They follow the traditional French Burgundian style of wine making focusing on small case lots of varietals best suited and expressive of their unique place of origin. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the varietals produced. The grapes are hand harvested and hand crafted.

Meyer Family Vineyards has been in operation in the Okanagan Valley since 2006.

Their award-winning wines for 2024 include:

  • Meyer 2022 Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard
  • Meyer 2022 B Field Blend McLean Creek Road Vineyard
  • Meyer 2022 Old Block Pinot Noir McLean Creek Vineyard
  • Meyer 2020 Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard
  • Meyer 2022 Micro Cuvee Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard

Nostalgia Wines

Nostalgia Wines placed seventh this year at the National Wine Awards and was also the third-place small winery. They are located on the Black Sage Bench in Oliver.

Vintner Gina Fernandes Harfman is the fourth generation family farmer. She has created a small lot lineup of excellent quality wines.

The 2024 list of award-winning wines includes:

  • Nostalgia Wines 2020 Malbec Petit Verdot
  • Nostalgia Wines 2020 Merlot
  • Nostalgia Wines 2020 Meritage
  • Nostalgia Wines 2022 Rockabilly Red
  • Nostalgia Wines 2022 Chardonnay

Quails’ Gate Estate Winery

Quail’s Gate consistently performs well at the various Canadian wine awards. This year they placed sixth overall at the National Wine Awards.

They are a fourth-generation Okanagan farming family. The winery was founded in 1989. They remain committed to ensuring that the founding family principles and values are maintained throughout the winery. Through dedicated research and ground-breaking innovation, they have assembled a collection of wines that consistently exceed expectations in quality, character and flavour.

Quail’s Gate has 160 acres of vineyards which contain some of the most mature vinifera plantings in the country. They have been leaders in the development of Canadian viticulture practices.

Quails’ Gate Estate is certified by Sustainable Winegrowing BC, a made-in-BC program that leads the way in sustainable winegrowing practices and sets a standard for the province and the rest of the country.

Quails’ Gates 2024 award winning wines includes:

  • Quails’ Gate 2021 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay
  • Quails’ Gate 2021 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay
  • Quails’ Gate 2022 Clone 49 Riesling
  • Quails’ Gate 2022 Clone 220 Chenin Blanc
  • Quails’ Gate 2023 Clone 49 Riesling

SpearHead Winery

SpearHead has been part of the Movers and Shakers list continually since 2022. This year they were named Winery of the Year and Small Winery of the Year at the National Wine Awards. 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.

Spearhead Winery is located on the benchlands of Southeast Kelowna. Their focus is on premium quality wine which they produce from grapes grown on the estate vineyard and from selected Okanagan Valley vineyards. The hand harvested grapes are sorted at the winery and fermented in small lots. They grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling grapes. 

Their 2024 award winning wines include:

  • SpearHead 2022 Pommard Clone Pinot Noir
  • SpearHead 2022 Club Consensus Pinot Noir
  • SpearHead 2022 Saddle Block Pinot Noir
  • SpearHead 2021 Golden Retreat Pinot Noir
  • SpearHead 2021 Club Consensus Pinot Noir

Final Thoughts

Although these are the seven wineries I have featured, there are plenty of other fantastic British Columbia wineries. The devastation resulting from the environmental disasters of the past couple years have taken its toll on many of the wineries. I hope that all of the B.C. wineries will be able to recover from these disasters and continue to excel in producing the top-quality wines that we have come to enjoy over the years.

The list of award-winning wines includes only a sampling from each winery in order to provide you with an idea of the noteworthy wines each winery produces. It is not an all-inclusive list.

Sláinte mhaith

Peruvian Wine

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It seems that many people are not aware that Peru produces a variety of quality wines. In fact, it is the oldest wine producing country in South America, ahead of the more familiar wine nations of Chile and Argentina.

Photo credit: heinens.com

Because of the early Spanish settlers, Peru has a strong Spanish influence. During the 16th century Spanish conquistadors planted grape varieties that came from the Canary Islands. The 17th and 18th centuries were the golden age of wine production with Peruvian wine being sold throughout South America.

Unfortunately, during the 19th century viticulture suffered as a result of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and phylloxera, an insect pest of grapevines worldwide. There were also economic restrictions imposed by Spain resulting in growers refocusing and producing crops other than grapes.

Those vineyards that remained changed their focus from wine making to producing pisco. Pisco is a pale yellowish to amber coloured spirit. It is produced by distilling fermented grape juice into a high proof spirit. Alternatively, grapes were used to make Borgoña, which is a sweet wine made from Isabella hybrid grapes.

Today Peruvian winemakers are once again focused on producing fine wine. They have modernized their wineries and repurposed their vineyards with the help of international consultants.

Producers are following one of two different paths. One is to grow European grape varieties, notably Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Tannat, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The other choice is to raise heritage grapes that have historically been used to make pisco. These include Quebranta, Mollar, Negra Criolla, Torontel, Muscatel Negro del Perú, Albilla and Italia. Some of these have been around since viticulture first began in South America, while others were bred there.

Production of wines from heritage grapes is a way to differentiate Peruvian wines from the other South American counties. On the other hand, there is plenty of potential to produce unique expressions using international varieties such as Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet and Muscat.

Whether you select a Peruvian wine made with heritage grapes or European varieties, the taste experience is well worth the effort to find one of these treasures along your wine store shelves.

Sláinte mhaith

The Napa Valley

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Being only 30 miles long and several miles wide, California’s Napa Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is one of the smallest winegrowing regions in the world, with only one-sixth the planted acreage of Bordeaux. About 95% of the wineries are family-owned businesses. The region’s established viticultural practices result in low yields of high-quality grapes, from which the winemakers produce Napa Valley’s renowned wines, which include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Napa generates only 4% of California’s wine grape harvest but has an extraordinary mixture of microclimates, weather and geography, as well as some of the most varied soils found in a wine region anywhere.

In 1968 Napa Valley became the home of the first Agricultural Preserve in the U.S., a long time before environmental issues became a major concern. Today it has the most comprehensive and stringent land use and environmental regulations of any American winegrowing region.

Napa contains 16 sub or nested appellations, each with its own distinct microclimate and terrain that provide recognizable characteristics on the grapes grown there. These sub appellations are presented alphabetically below:

Photo credit: bigvalleywines.com

Atlas Peak

The elevation ranges between 230 to 800 metres above sea level with temperatures in the summer that are about 10–15° cooler than the valley floor. There is low day-to-night temperature range, with summer temperatures rarely rising above 32° Celsius.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes are grown in this region.

Calistoga

Daytime summer temperatures may reach more than 38° Celsius and fall to as low as 4° at night. There are cool afternoon and evening breezes. Elevations range from 90 to 370 metres above sea level.

The main varietals grown in this area are Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah.

Chiles Valley

Temperatures peak in the 25° range but the higher elevation and summer fog at night result in nighttime temperatures in the 10° range.  With an elevation of 180 to 370 metres above sea level, there are colder winters and springs, as well as strong winds, which results in the harvest coming later than down in the valley.

The key varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Coombsville

Because of the cool maritime winds from the San Pablo Bay, as well as the Petaluma Gap, high temperatures rarely get above 27° Celsius. This appellation is at a low elevation not exceeding 200 metres above sea level.

The grape varietals include Pinot Noir, Merlot and Chardonnay.

Diamond Mountain

There are moderately warm temperatures in this region, with less fluctuation than the north Napa Valley floor. Summertime temperatures range from 10° t0 30° Celsius. The elevation ranges from 120 to 670 metres above sea level.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc varietals are grown in the region.

Howell Mountain

Howell Mountain is situated above the fog line on the eastern side of the valley. This area is warmer and drier than the other appellations because of more hours of sunshine and an insignificant amount of marine influence. The elevation ranges from 180 to 800 metres above sea level.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel grapes are grown in this area.

Los Carneros 

With marine winds from the San Pablo Bay and the Petaluma Gap, high temperatures rarely exceed 27° Celsius. Elevations range from sea level to 215 metres above sea level.

Varietals grown include Pinot Noir, Merlot and Chardonnay.

Mount Veeder

There is a cool to moderate temperature in this region, with most of the vineyards situated above the fog line. This results in warmer nights and cooler days than on the valley floor below. Normal summer highs are in the 30° Celsius range. Elevation ranges from 150 to 800 metres above sea level.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Chardonnay grapes are grown.

Oak Knoll

Having a moderate to cool climate with marine air and fog often remaining until late morning, afternoon breezes often develop, maintaining summer temperatures that reach as high as 33° Celsius. Elevations rise from sea level up to 150 metres.

The varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Oakville

The climate is moderately warm, with temperatures generally in the mid-30s during summer, but are impacted by night and early morning fog. Elevations are the same as Oak Knoll, rising from sea level to 150 metres.

However, only Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc varietals produced here.

Rutherford

The region is moderately warm, marginally influenced by early morning fog. Summer temperatures usually rise to the mid-30s, with a distinct day-to-night fluctuation in temperature. Elevations range from sea level to 180 metres.

Grape varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel.

St. Helena

Less fog and wind, along with heat reflecting off the hillsides, see summer temperatures often reach the mid-to-high 30s. Elevations range from 30 to 200 metres above sea level.

Grape grown include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel.

Spring Mountain

Cool weather prevails as most of the vineyards are located above the fog line, providing warmer nights and cooler days than the valley floor below. Mid-summer temperatures reach 30° Celsius. Elevations range from 180 to 800 metres above sea level.

Grapes grown include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Zinfandel

Stags Leap

This region is moderately warm with afternoon marine winds cooling the warmer air. Summer temperatures can reach to about 40° Celsius but are normally in the mid-30s. Elevations range from sea level to 150 metres.

Grapes grown include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Wild Horse Valley

This is one of the warmer regions with summer temperatures hovering in the mid-30s. Elevations range from 180 to 600 metres above sea level.

Varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Yountville

Moderate, with cool marine influence and morning fog, summer mornings are cool in this region. Marine breezes keep afternoons more comfortable than further up the valley with high temperatures reaching 32° Celsius and nighttime lows dropping into the teens. Elevations range from just above sea level to 60 metres.

Varietals are limited to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

 Sláinte mhaith

Canadian Wine Trends

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Here is what the organizers and judges were seeing, hearing and thinking at this year’s WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (NWAC). Their narrative has been separated by each judging category and presented below.

Photo credit: winealign.com

Sparkling Wine

While global wine consumption has decreased over the past two years. Sparkling wine, except for costly Champagne, has progressed upwards. In Canada, the Sparkling category burst during the pandemic, especially with accessible and affordable selections. The quality of Canadian sparkling wine continues to improve.

Red Blends

Red blends are abundant in both British Columbia and Ontario, making it the second largest category at the National Wine Awards. There is a variety of styles and grape varieties.

Bordeaux blends and Rhone blends continue to be important, but winemakers are increasingly evolving beyond the traditional French classic style. The next frontier is beginning to appear where blends consisting of Malbec, Carménère and Syrah are part of a new wave of Okanagan red blends.

White Blends

Winemakers continually mix and match with several varietal combinations. There are many permutations made with traditional varietals, as well as hybrid grapes.

There are no firm rules other than those set out by VQA which says that all the grapes in a labeled bottle must come from the province, an appellation and sub-appellation. Beyond this, the choices are endless, allowing white blends to vary from the traditional to the eclectic. Concepts include the Bordeaux combination of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, Rhône blends that may include Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, but also Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc, Picpoul and Ugni Blanc. This year, British Columbia has continued to set the trends for blending and styles.

Rosé

There is a great deal of flexibility with respect to producing Rosé wine. Extraction levels and pigmentation can vary, many red or combination of red and white grape varietals can be used and there are no rules overseeing sweetness levels or oak aging.

Most Rosés are not meant for extended aging and are often best consumed in the year in which they are made. In Canada, most Rosés are bottled from March to June and make it to the stores between April and July.

Pinot Gris/Grigio

This white wine grape is a mutation clone of the black Pinot Noir grape. The skin colour varies greatly, and the wines produced from Pinot Gris also vary in hue from palest yellow to deep golden to blushing salmon. Pinot Gris also goes by its Italian name, Pinot Grigio. Wines made in the fresh, crisp and unoaked style of Italy’s Veneto region are called Grigio, while those in a richer, riper version go by Gris.

Orange

Orange wines are skiin contact white wines. There is no rule as to the length of the contact period or the grape varietals used. These wines range widely in colour and style.

Niagara’s popular Vidal grape responded well to skin contact, bringing texture and complexity to its tropical fruit profile. However, aromatic Gewürztraminer, with its subtly oily mouthfeel and subtle tannic framework, also showed well.

Gamay

Things change each year as there are new entries from newer wineries making Gamay.  Some things also remain the same as many long-time advocates and committed Gamay producers continue to make excellent wines.

Pinot Noir

No other grape causes more of a stir. For many, there is no other grape variety. Pinot Noir has found enormous global success and Canadian soils are largely responsible for that. From agile, transparent, high-toned, red berry charmers to darker, seriously ripe and often tannic iterations, Pinot Noir succeeds with harmony and balance.

Chardonnay

This is always one of the largest categories in the competition. Chardonnay always leads or equals the greatest number of medals from platinum to bronze. Prices ranged from $87 for the most expensive medal winner to $11.95 for the least costly.

While the most expensive wine was not a platinum winner, there is a correlation between price and medal earned, establishing that top quality wine sells for more money. The average price for the platinum winners came in at just over $45, $40 for gold, $39 for silver and $33 for Bronze.

Malbec and other Red Single Varieties

Malbec represented 18 of the 41 medal winners in this category and accounted for 7 of 8 of the gold medals. It accounted for just 1.4% of entries in the competition but earned 4.1% of all gold medals.

This trend is almost entirely driven by British Columbia. There is something special about Okanagan Malbec. Much like Syrah, it does well up and down the valley.

Other White Single Varieties

Chardonnay and Riesling are often singled out as the signature grapes when it comes to top quality Canadian white wine. There are many other white varieties producing spectacular results including Grüner Veltliner wines from British Columbia.

Chenin Blanc is another consistent performer in BC and Ontario, making vibrant, fruit- forward wines.

Sleek, elegant Sémillon wines are also cropping up with increased frequency from coast to coast, as single variety wines and in classic Sauvignon blends.

Pinot Blanc proved its merit for good value, easy drinking white wine.

Gewürztraminer and Viognier

Viognier and Gewürztraminer remain minor varieties on the Canadian wine scene. Both grapes are particularly unreliable in Ontario, where Gewürztraminer accounted for just 2% of total production in 2023. Viognier is so rare that it is in the “other” category in the VQA’s annual report. In B.C. Gewürztraminer places a respectable 4th among white varieties in 2023, behind Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Riesling. Viognier sits in ninth position alongside other Rhône varieties suitable to the West Coast’s unique conditions.

Sauvignon Blanc

At this year’s competition, Sauvignon Blanc took great strides and gained increased favour from judges and wine lovers. There were 32 medals awarded, with 20 going to Ontario and 12 to British Columbia. Of impressive interest is the average price of the 16 Silver Medal winners. These are wines that scored 90 points with an average cost of $23.40.

Syrah

“Syrah” above “Shiraz” is the key style in Canada.  Reflective of a French Rhône style “Syrah”, as opposed to “Shiraz”, wines labelled as such tend to be distinctively peppery, with more sharp tannins, lower alcohol and exhibit more freshness than “Shiraz”. Yet in Canada, there is no enforcement over the use of these terms. Vintage variation and place do play a deterministic role, but the style of Syrah in Canada is heavily influenced by winegrowing and winemaking decisions that vary from producer to producer.

Ontario can produce excellent Syrah, but the category has forever been dominated by British Columbia.

Riesling

Canada has many great and quality examples of Riesling. It is a variety that truly expresses the place where it is grown. Riesling also counts among some of Canada’s oldest planted vinifera varieties, with plantings dating back to the mid 1970’s and early 1980’s in both Niagara and the Okanagan Valley.

Icewine & Late Harvest

Icewine, is the most important wine export. Now more than ever, due to erratic weather patterns, production is being threatened. Since the start of Icewine production in the 1970’s, a harvest has never been missed despite coming close a few times because of a mild winter in Ontario.

VQA regulations require the grapes to be naturally frozen on the vine, harvested, and pressed while the air temperature remains at or below -8 degrees Celsius. Recurrent periods of freezing and thawing can cause grapes to split, increasing unpredictable acidity in the wine. Production is a physically demanding task for both for the vines, that must bear their fruit into the cold of winter, as well as for the winemaker, who often harvests on the coldest of winter nights.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The number of gold medals has dropped from 13 in 2022 to 10 in 2023 to 7 this year. Despite the results, it is the category that has the most potential.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape in the world, but such is not the case in Canada. It is the third most planted red variety in British Columbia, with 7.7% of total grapes grown. In Ontario, Cabernet Sauvignon represents only 5.9% of the grape harvest. There’s been a consistent downward trend, as a percentage of tonnage, over the last five years.

Cabernet Franc

Ontario has historically had a slight edge over the Okanagan Valley, given Ontario’s generally cooler and wetter climate, which suits the lighter, aromatic style that the judges tend to favour. However, the margin of difference has always been slim.

This year Ontario captured 38 out of 53 medals in total. However, British Columbia’s representation was impacted by the wildfires that severely impacted the Okanagan Valley in 2021, which resulted in smoke-tainted wines from some parts of the valley. Since these wineries did not submit any smoke-tainted wines, the number of submissions from B.C. was reduced significantly.

Merlot

Merlot remains the number one red planted grape in British Columbia.

There you have it; and that’s a wrap on the 2024 National Wine Awards.

Sláinte mhaith

2024 National Wine Awards

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Photo credit: winealign.com

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:

  1. SpearHead Winery, British Columbia
  2. Meyer Family Vineyards, British Columbia
  3. Henry of Pelham, Ontario
  4. Black Hills Estate Winery, British Columbia
  5. Thirty Bench Wine Makers, Ontario
  6. Quails’ Gate Estate Winery, British Columbia
  7. Nostalgia Wines, British Columbia
  8. Peller Estates Niagara-on-the Lake, Ontario
  9. Lake Breeze Vineyards, British Columbia
  10. 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:

  1. SpearHead Winery, British Columbia
  2. Meyer Family Vineyards, British Columbia
  3. Nostalgia Wines, British Columbia
  4. Lake Breeze Vineyards, British Columbia
  5. The Organized Crime Winery, Ontario
  6. Corcelettes Estate Winery, British Columbia
  7. Black Bank Hill, Ontario
  8. Kismet Estate Winery, British Columbia
  9. Fort Berens Estate Winery, British Columbia
  10. Lailey Winery, Ontario

Regional Top 10 Winners

British Columbia

  1. SpearHead Winery
  2. Meyer Family Vineyards
  3. Black Hills Estate Winery
  4. Quails’ Gate Estate Winery
  5. Nostalgia Wines
  6. Lake Breeze Vineyards
  7. Corcelettes Estate Winery
  8. Nk’Mip Cellars
  9. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
  10. Kismet Estate Winery

Ontario

  1. Henry of Pelham
  2. Thirty Bench Wine Makers
  3. Peller Estates Niagara-on-the-Lake
  4. Vieni Estates
  5. The Organized Crime Winery
  6. Black Bank Hill
  7. Two Sisters Vineyards
  8. Lailey Winery
  9. Hidden Bench Estate Winery
  10. 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
  • Fielding 2022 Cabernet Franc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Megalomaniac Wines 2020 To Be Frank Cabernet Franc, Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Organized Crime 2020 Cabernet Franc Unfiltered, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Stonebridge 2020 Reserve Cabernet Franc Single Vineyard, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Thirty Bench 2022 Winemaker’s Blend Cabernet Franc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Vieni Estates 2020 Cabernet Franc Reserve, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Watchful Eye Winery 2022 Cabernet Franc, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Cabernet Sauvignon

Platinum Medal

  • Peller Estates 2020 Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Gold Medal

  • Chaberton Estate Winery 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, British Columbia
  • Colio Estate Wines 2020 Small Lot Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Corcelettes 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
  • Hillside Winery 2020 Howe Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Kismet 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Nk’Mip Cellars 2020 Qwam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Sprucewood Shores 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Ha

Chardonnay

Platinum Medal

  • Henry of Pelham 2022 Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Meyer 2022 Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Quails’ Gate 2021 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Gold Medal

  • CedarCreek 2022 Platinum Jagged Rock Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • CedarCreek 2022 Platinum Lake Country Chardonnay, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Cloudsley Cellars 2021 Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Domaine Queylus 2020 Chardonnay Tradition, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Fort Berens 2022 White Gold Chardonnay Reserve, Lillooet, British Columbia
  • Gray Monk 2022 Odyssey Chardonnay, British Columbia
  • Konzelmann 2022 Reserve Series Chardonnay Barrel Aged, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Le Clos Jordanne 2021 Le Grand Clos Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Meyer 2022 Chardonnay Old Main Rd Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Meyer 2022 Dekleva Clone Chardonnay Anarchist Mountain Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Monte Creek 2022 Living Land Chardonnay, British Columbia
  • O’Rourke Family Estate 2022 Twisted Pine Chardonnay, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Organized Crime 2022 Sacred Series Cuvée Krystyna Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Quails’ Gate 2021 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Redstone Winery 2021 Chardonnay Limestone Vineyard, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Solvero 2022 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Tawse 2021 Quarry Road Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • The Good Earth 2021 Chardonnay, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Thirty Bench 2021 Small Lot Chardonnay Extended Barrel Aged, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Trius 2022 Showcase Chardonnay Wild Ferment Watching Tree Vineyard, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Westcott 2021 Block 76 Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Gamay

Platinum Medal

  • No medal awarded

Gold Medal

  • 13th Street Winery 2023 Gamay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Deep Roots 2022 Reserve Gamay Noir, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Malivoire 2023 Gamay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Malivoire 2023 Le Coeur Gamay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Stratus 2022 Gamay, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Three Sisters Winery 2022 Gamay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Gewürztraminer and Viognier

Platinum Medal

  • No medal awarded

Gold Medal

  • Hillside Winery 2023 Gewürztraminer, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Magnotta 2022 Gewürztraminer Venture Series, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Meyer 2022 Gewürztraminer McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Icewine & Late Harvest

Platinum Medal

  • No medal awarded

Gold Medal

  • Inniskillin Niagara 2022 Vidal Icewine, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2022 Reserve Vidal Icewine, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Two Sisters Vineyards 2023 Riesling Icewine, Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Malbec and other Red Single Varieties

Platinum Medal

  • No medal awarded

Gold Medal

  • Blasted Church 2022 Small Blessings Grenache, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Corcelettes 2021 Malbec Micro Lot Series Estate Vineyard, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
  • Fox & Archer 2021 Malbec, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Lailey Winery 2021 Wild Ferment Malbec Lailey Vineyard, Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Rainmaker Wines 2020 Malbec The Risk Taker Rattlesnake Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Road 13 2021 John Oliver Selection Malbec, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Valley Commons 2021 Malbec Single Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Van Westen 2021 Violeta, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Merlot

Platinum Medal

  • No medal awarded

Gold Medal

  • Black Sage Vineyard 2020 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Marynissen Estates 2020 Platinum Merlot, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Nk’Mip Cellars 2021 Qwam Qwmt Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Nostalgia Wines 2020 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Pinot Gris/Grigio

Platinum Medal

  • No medal awarded

Gold Medal

  • EastDell 2023 Pinot Grigio, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Henry of Pelham 2023 Pinot Grigio, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Inniskillin Niagara 2022 Reserve Pinot Gris, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Marynissen Estates 2023 Pinot Grigio, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Mayhem 2023 Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Unsworth Vineyards 2023 Saison Vineyard Pinot Gris, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Pinot Noir

Platinum Medal

  • Meyer 2022 B Field Blend McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • SpearHead 2022 Club Consensus Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • SpearHead 2022 Pommard Clone Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • SpearHead 2022 Saddle Block Pinot Noir, East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Gold Medal

  • 1 Mill Road Winery 2022 Pinot Noir Black Pine, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • 1 Mill Road Winery 2022 Pinot Noir Home Block, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Blue Grouse Estate Winery 2021 Pinot Noir, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
  • CedarCreek 2022 Estate Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Domaine Queylus 2020 Pinot Noir La Grande Réserve , Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Fort Berens 2022 Pinot Noir, British Columbia
  • Hidden Bench 2021 Pinot Noir Unfiltered Felseck Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Hidden Bench 2021 Pinot Noir Unfiltered Locust Lane Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Meyer 2020 Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Meyer 2022 Micro Cuvee Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Meyer 2022 Old Block Pinot Noir McLean Creek Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Monte Creek 2022 Living Land Pinot Noir, British Columbia
  • Organized Crime 2020 Sacred Series Tara Block Pinot Noir Unfiltered, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Riverview Cellars 2021 Pinot Noir, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Rosehall Run 2022 Pinot Noir, Ontario
  • SpearHead 2021 Golden Retreat Pinot Noir, Summerland Lakefront, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Tightrope 2022 Pinot Noir Rubis, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Unsworth Vineyards 2022 Cowichan Valley Pinot Noir, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Red Blends

Platinum Medal

  • Black Hills 2022 Bona Fide, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Burrowing Owl 2021 Athene, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Hester Creek 2022 GSM, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Nostalgia Wines 2020 Malbec Petit Verdot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Gold Medal

  • Black Hills 2022 Ipso Facto, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Black Hills 2022 Addendum, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Colio Estate Wines 2020 Small Lot Series Meritage, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Corcelettes 2020 Talus, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
  • Foolish Wine 2020 Hooligan Meritage, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Henry of Pelham 2020 Speck Family Reserve Cabernet-Merlot, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Hidden Bench 2020 La Brunante Unfiltered, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Kismet 2020 Moksha, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Magnotta Pzazz N/V Merlot Cab Limited Edition, Ontario
  • Mt. Boucherie 2020 Summit, British Columbia
  • Nk’Mip Cellars 2021 Winemakers Talon
  • Nostalgia Wines 2020 Meritage, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Nostalgia Wines 2022 Rockabilly Red, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Organized Crime 2020 Pipe Down, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Peller Estates 2021 Signature Series Estate Red, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Pentâge Winery 2018 GSM Dirty Dozen Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Road 13 2022 Honest John’s Bold Red, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Stag’s Hollow 2020 Renaissance Meritage Stag’s Hollow Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Stratus 2020 White Label Red, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Tawse 2021 Meritage, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Three Sisters Winery 2022 Bench Red, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Two Sisters Vineyards 2020 Eleventh Post, Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Wayne Gretzky 2022 Signature Series Cabernet Merlot, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Riesling

Platinum Medal

  • Thirty Bench 2021 Small Lot Riesling Wood Post Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Gold Medal

  • Henry of Pelham 2023 Speck Family Reserve Riesling, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Inniskillin Niagara 2022 Discovery Series Susse Reserve Riesling, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • La Frenz Winery 2022 Riesling 21B Freedom 75 Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Lailey Winery 2022 Off-Dry Riesling Lailey Vineyard, Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Lake Breeze 2023 Riesling, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Megalomaniac Wines 2021 Narcissist Riesling, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Organized Crime 2023 Riesling, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Peak Cellars 2022 Estate Grown Block 11 Riesling, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Quails’ Gate 2022 Clone 49 Riesling, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Quails’ Gate 2023 Clone 49 Riesling, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Storm Haven 2022 Riesling Boulders, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Synchromesh 2023 Dry Riesling Storm Haven Vineyard White Label, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Tantalus Vineyards 2021 Old Vines Riesling, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Thirty Bench 2021 Small Lot Riesling Triangle Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Two Sisters Vineyards 2021 Riesling , Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Van Westen 2022 Viscous, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Rosé

Platinum Medal

  • Fresh N/V Rosé, Ontario

Gold Medal

  • Culmina 2023 Saignée, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Fox&Archer 2022 Unfiltered Saignée, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Mercator Vineyards 2023 Compass Rosé, Nova Scotia
  • Tinhorn Creek 2023 Reserve Rosé, Okanagan Valley, British Colu

Sauvignon Blanc

Platinum Medal

  • No medal awarded

Gold Medal

  • Peller Estates 2022 Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Sparkling Wine

Platinum Medal

  • Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut Rosé, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Gold Medal

  • Huff Estates 2021 Cuvée Peter F. Huff, Prince Edward County, Ontario
  • La Frenz Winery 2020 Aster Estate Grown Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Lightning Rock 2021 Elysia Vineyard Blanc de Noirs, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Liquidity Wines N/V Reserve Sparkling Brut, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Marynissen Estates 2020 Blanc de Blancs, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Noble Ridge 2018 Noble Knights McEachnie Vintage Blanc de Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Noble Ridge 2019 The Pink One, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Queenston Mile Vineyard 2018 Blanc De Blanc, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Ravine Vineyard N/V Brut, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Redstone Winery 2022 Sparkling Rosé, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Road 13 2019 Select Harvest Old Vines Sparkling Chenin Blanc, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Thirty Bench N/V Sparkling Riesling, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Township 7 2020 Seven Stars Polaris, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Two Sisters Vineyards 2021 Lush Sparkling Rosé, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Syrah

Platinum Medal

  • Lake Breeze 2020 Cellar Series Mistral, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Gold Medal

  • Black Hills 2022 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Corcelettes 2021 Syrah , Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
  • Creekside 2020 Broken Press Syrah Reserve Queenston Road Vineyard, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Fielding 2020 Syrah Lowrey Vineyard, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • JoiRyde Winery 2022 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Kismet 2021 Family Select Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Konzelmann 2022 Syrah Barrel Aged Reserve, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Laughing Stock 2021 Syrah , Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Le Vieux Pin 2022 Syrah Cuvee Violette, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Phantom Creek 2020 Kobau Vineyard Syrah, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Roche Wines 2021 Amulet Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Tantalus Vineyards 2022 Syrah, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
  • The Wine Umbrella 2020 Co-Syrah
  • Tinhorn Creek 2021 Reserve Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

White Blends

Platinum Medal

  • No medal awarded

Gold Medal

  • Lake Breeze 2022 Roussanne Viognier, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Terravista Vineyards 2022 Figaro, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Terravista Vineyards 2023 Fandango, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Other White Single Varieties

Platinum Medal

  • No medal awarded

Gold Medal

  • Black Hills 2022 Roussanne, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Fort Berens 2023 Small Lot Grüner Veltliner Red Rock Vineyard, British Columbia
  • Peak Cellars 2022 Gruner Veltliner, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Quails’ Gate 2022 Clone 220 Chenin Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Terravista Vineyards 2023 Albariño, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

The complete list of this year’s results can be found at winealign.com/awards.

Sláinte mhaith

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape District of France

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While on a river cruise that was part of my recent trip to France, I overheard someone say that Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a famous French winery. Well, that is not exactly true. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a French Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) located around the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône wine region in southeastern France. It is one of the most renowned appellations of the southern part in the Rhône Valley, and its vineyards are located around Châteauneuf-du-Pape and in the neighboring villages of Bédarrides, Courthézon and Sorgues, between Avignon and Orange. The region covers more than 3,200 hectares or 32 square kilometres and produces over 110,000 hectolitres of wine each year.

The primary grape grown in the district is Grenache, but Cinsault, Counoise, Mourvèdre, Muscadine, Syrah, Terret noir, Vaccarèse, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette blanche, Picardan, Roussanne, and Picpoul are also cultivated.

The terroir consists of white limestone. The stones absorb the heat of the sun and transfers it to the roots of the vines. The stones also help with allowing rain to penetrate the roots. This is critical since temperatures rise to about 45 degrees Celsius in the summer and irrigation is not permitted.

The harvest takes place from late August to early September. There are 323 vineyards in the district, all of which are family operated companies. Given the conditions, production yields are low and this is reflected in the price at your local wine store. However, the higher cost does not deter buyers as some wineries are selling their wines two years in advance.

Selections at Maison Bouachon

I visited Maison Bouachon winery, which has been in operation since 1898. The vines on the estate generally range from 80 to 100 years in age. Wine production is completed following the methods and rules established by the AOC.

While there I sampled three of their wines, 2023 Côtes du Rhône white, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021 and the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Special Edition. My personal favourite was the Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021, which is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre grapes. I purchased a bottle which was later enjoyed by my wife and me. Unfortunately, like so many of the French wineries, Maison Bouachon wines are not available outside of France. Such a pity.

Sláinte mhaith

The Beaujolais Wine District

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My wife and I recently returned from an excursion to France, which included exploration of several wine regions including the Beaujolais district of Burgundy. Beaujolais is a French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wine, generally made from Gamay grapes.  The grapes are thin skinned and are low in tannins.

The soil (terroir) consists of granite, schist, clay and sandstone. The vines are pruned using the goblet method, which is mainly practiced in the Mediterranean regions because having a foot close to the ground shelters the vine from the wind and the falling vegetation protects the grapes from the sun. This method of pruning only allows 3 to 5 branches to be kept on the vine. The branches end with a spur of 3 or 4 buds.

Goblet pruning is a drought-resistant and berry-protected method but prohibits the use of mechanized harvesting methods. Economically, the reduction in yields can be significant. The cost of production can be high due to an increased need for labour and the drop in production.

Climate change has been presenting a variety of challenges during recent years. Netting has had to be installed to protect the grapes from summertime hailstorms that have been regularly occurring since 2007. Very wet spring seasons, like this year, are threatening to delay the start of the growing season, thus reducing the yield potential and increasing the risk of mold on the vines.

The wines produced in the Beaujolais district include Beaujolais, Beaujolais Villages, cru Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau. The region also produces a small amount of Chardonnay (about 4%) but none of that wine is sold outside of France.

Isabelle Brossard

We visited Château de Pravins, a 12th century winery. The current owners acquired the winery in 1941. The purchaser was Joseph Mathieu, whose descendant, Isabelle Brossard, operates the winery today. It is a biodynamic winery (uses organic processes) that expands across 26 hectares. The grapes are still crushed by feet, but pipes and pumps are also now used. One kilo of grapes is required to produce a single bottle of wine.  The AOC limits the Beaujolais wineries from producing any more than 6,000 litres of wine per hectare and allows only cement vats to be used in the production process.

While there we sampled three red wines, l’argile ardente No 2, les moraines, and l’argile ardente. I found all tree wines to be as equally as nice.

Based on the slow soggy start to the 2024 growing season, don’t be surprised if the 2024 vintage of Beaujolais wine is limited and thus more expensive than some previous years.

Sláinte mhaith

Countries with The Worst Wine Trade Deficits

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According to the most recent statistics, the following countries have the highest negative net exports for wine. Net exports are defined as the value of a country’s total exports minus the value of its total imports. Thus, the statistics below present the deficit between the value of each country’s wine import purchases and its wine exports (in U.S. dollars).

Photo credit: bkwine.com
  1. United States: -$6.2 billion
  2. United Kingdom: -$4.4 billion
  3. Canada: -$2.2 billion
  4. Japan: -$1.9 billion
  5. Germany: -$1.8 billion
  6. China: -$1.4 billion
  7. Switzerland: -$1.2 billion
  8. Netherlands: -$1 billion
  9. Russia: -$882.3 million
  10. Sweden: -$793.9 million
  11. Belgium: -$750.2 million
  12. Hong Kong: -$727.8 million
  13. South Korea: -$581.1 million
  14. Denmark: -$580.1 million
  15. Norway: -$499.4 million

The combined North American deficit of $8.4 billion in international wine trade has a strong demand for both Old World and New World brands. In turn, this negative cashflow highlights North America’s strong competitive disadvantage for wine sales but also indicates opportunities for other wine-supplying countries to contribute toward satisfying North America’s consumer thirst and wide-ranging tastes for different types of wines.

Sláinte mhaith

Wine Exporting Companies

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Based on the most recent statistics among continents, European countries sold the highest dollar value of wine exported with shipments worth $30.3 billion U.S. or 76.2% of the world’s total wine exports. Oceania’s international wine sales were led by Australia and New Zealand and came in at 7.4%. Latin America, excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean was at 7%. North America exporters provided 3.9% of worldwide wine exports, while Asia shipped 3.7% and African suppliers provided 1.9% of wine sales.

Below are the world’s largest wine conglomerates. Shown within parentheses is the country where the company is headquartered. These names may not be familiar to you but most of their wine brands will be.

  • Accolade Wines (Australia)
  • Casella Wines (Australia)
  • Concha y Toro (Chile)
  • Constellation Brands (United States)
  • E. & J. Gallo (United States)
  • Pernod Ricard Winemakers (France)
  • The Wine Group (United States)
  • Treasury Wine Estates (Australia)
  • Trinchero Family Estates (United States)

The following list identifies some of the world’s most popular wine brands. You will find most, if not all of these brands in your local wine store. Each brand is owned by the wine-producing conglomerate shown in parentheses.

  • Barefoot (E & J Gallo Winery, United States)
  • Gallo (E & J Gallo Winery, United States)
  • Concha y Toro (Concha y Toro, Chile)
  • Robert Mondavi (Constellation Brands, United States)
  • Sutter Home (Trinchero Family Estates, United States)
  • Yellow Tail (Casella Wines, Australia)
  • Hardy’s (Accolade Wines, Australia)
  • Lindeman’s (Treasury Wine Estates, Australia)
  • Beringer (Treasury Wine Estates, United States)
  • Jacob’s Creek (Pernod Ricard Winemakers, France)

Does this mean that these are the best wines in the world? No. It only signifies that they produce the highest volumes of wine. Big doesn’t make it better, especially in the case of wine. Small production estate wineries generally produce a better, more consistent product at a similar price point.

Sláinte mhaith

Do Big Wine Exporters Import Wine?

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Photo credit: therealreview.com

Enquiring minds want to know whether the top wine producers of the world only export wine or do they import it as well?  And if they do obtain wine from elsewhere, what are their countries of choice?

Let’s begin by identifying who the top 10 wine exporters are. Based on the latest world wine export statistics, the top wine exporters are:

  1. France, which exported the equivalent of $11.9 billion U.S.
  2. Italy, which exported the equivalent of $7.7 billion U.S.
  3. Spain, which exported the equivalent of $2.9 billion U.S.
  4. Chile, which exported the equivalent of $1.9 billion U.S.
  5. New Zealand, which exported the equivalent of $1.3 billion U.S.
  6. Portugal, which exported the equivalent of $780.4 million U.S.
  7. Argentina, which exported the equivalent of $780.2 million U.S.
  8. Australia, which exported the equivalent of $779.1 million U.S.
  9. South Africa, the fastest growing export market in the world, shipped the equivalent of $646 million U.S.
  10. Georgia, which exported the equivalent of $247.8 million U.S.

These same countries also posted the highest positive net exports of wine. Net exports are defined as the value of a country’s total wine exports minus the value of its total wine imports.  

It is interesting to note that the 5 biggest exporters of wine collectively supplied 70.1% of globally exported wine in terms of dollar sales.

So, how much wine do each of these countries import? Beginning with France, in 2022 it imported around 628 million litres of wine at a value of about $600 million U.S. Those imports came from Spain with a share of 23% ($251 million), Italy with a share of 21% ($233 million) and the U.S. with a share of 10.8% ($115 million).

Italy imported $500 million of wine. Those imports came mainly from France ($353 million), Spain ($75.2 million), Germany ($12.5 million), Portugal ($10.1 million) and United Arab Emirates ($7.66 million).

Spain imported $332 million in wine, mainly from France ($196 million), Italy ($61.6 million), Portugal ($21.6 million), Germany ($7.83 million) and the United Kingdom ($7.06 million).

Chile imported $19.8 million of wine, making it the 83rd largest importer of wine in the world. Chile imports wine primarily from: Italy ($6.98 million), Argentina ($3.9 million), United Arab Emirates ($3.36 million), France ($1.92 million) and Spain ($1.81 million).

Domestic wine consumption in New Zealand accounts for an estimated 49.2 million litres of the 90.2 million litres currently sold there each year. The remaining 41 million litres (45.5 per cent) was imported. The total import market was valued at $236 million.

Portugal’s wine imports amounted to over $50 million.

Argentina imported $12.9 million of wine, making it the 103rd largest importer of wine in the world. Wine imports came primarily from: France ($4.47 million), United Arab Emirates ($3.82 million), Chile ($2.17 million), Spain ($728 thousand) and Italy ($568 thousand).

Australia’s total wine imports have increased over the past few years, rising to 106 million litres. This is a compound average annual growth rate of just under 3 per cent.

South Africa imported $53.4 million of wine, making it the 53rd largest wine importer in the world.

Georgia imported $15.3 million of wine, becoming the 94th largest wine importer. Wine was the 179th most imported product in Georgia.

So, what does all this show? Even the great wine producers of the world like to have variety in the wines they drink.

Sláinte mhaith