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Many Winners at the Canadian Wine Awards
© Michael Vaughan 2002
National Post Weekly Wine & Spirits Columnist
 Saturday, November 9, 2002

Of all the wine competitions I attend over the course of a year, the Canadian Wine Awards really tries to do it best. There are eight earnest judges from various parts of Canada, each bringing to the table their own set of prejudices and concept of what constitutes quality. With the exception of a few flights, the judges taste most of the wines and all of the finalists. It is a noble effort and the results were just announced.

As a participating judge, whether I personally agree with the results or not is now only of academic interest. Basically, none of the winners are going to be bad wines. The awards are made with the appropriate hoopla and any dissenters, me included, are left to curse quietly in some dark corner. Having said that, I want to let you know that for these lips, the best white award would have gone to the absolutely stellar, toasty, ripe Anjou pear purée driven Lakeview Cellars 2000 Chardonnay Reserve Vinc Vineyard. It is available at the winery at $29.95 (only 250 cases were produced).

Unfortunately, most wine competitions ignore tests of statistical significance. It is shocking to discover that there may well be no difference between their first, second and even third “best” wines. Also, there is no magic number in determining how many judges are needed to make a competition valid. Contrary to popular opinion, more judges do not make for more meaningful results. Unless, of course, they all happen to be Robert Parker clones. In fact, when I asked the man himself if he ever participated in such affairs, the answer was a resounding no. There is much to loose, mostly because readers will erroneously think that the awards are his choices. Indeed, there is no thread of tasting consistency in such panel tastings. According to Parker, “consistency is the key to credibility” and quality judgments must be predicated on an experienced and reliable palate.

During the five days, I swirled, smelled, tasted and spit some 2,000 sips of wine (an average of three sips per sample poured). As comfortable as Victoria’s Empress Hotel may be, it was not fun. Everything was done blind, usually in appropriate varietal/vintage flights. Unfortunately, of the 621 entries, there were some serious winery omissions. In some instances, there wasn’t enough wine available. In other cases, producers with high reputations at stake were reluctant to enter and possibly be shown up by less esteemed competitors. In order to give you a handle on which wines might be worth seeking out, I have posted both the winners along with the 54 finalists below. To see the list of winners by winery, which includes Bronze medals Click Here

Another problem is how to get these wines. Take the best Riesling - Marynissen 2000 Riesling ($11.95), which received a Gold Medal at the Toronto Wine & Cheese Show last March. Not a bottle is available anywhere! As for the BC winners, which constitute two-thirds of the awards, few if any are available in Ontario. Finally, for my palate the best value wine of the competition was not a red or white. It was the wonderfully delicious, off dry, not-available-here Calona Vineyards 2001 Gamay Noir Blush at only $9.95, which is the higher-than-Ontario B.C. price.

An awards luncheon ($85) takes place at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on November 20^th with a consumer tasting of the winners at 5 pm ($25). Call 416-596-1555 ext. 221.

Moving on to this weekend’s “first” LCBO Vintages Auction, keep in mind that lucky Ontario bidders will not only have to pay a buyer’s premium of 15%, but also PST and GST, adding more than 32% to the final price. Also, may the buyer beware. How a wine has been kept is everything - poor storage can make the greatest of labels virtually worthless. And what better way to get rid of those undrinkable bottles than through a nameless auction. Unlike your LCBO purchases, faulty wine returns are not accepted.

A note about the Vintages Auction Gala Tasting held last Wednesday night at the ROM for $265 a person; only 24 of the 62 wines presented were actually available in the auction. As the LCBO says that this gala “provides the opportunity to sample some of the wines that will be available for the wine auction”- many others and I were surprised to discover (and then only on page two and in very small type) that most of these wines were not in the auction. I have been told that most of the wines presented came through a New York agent (from various sources) and this includes many of the auction lots (which were not actually taken from the wines submitted for sale).

Finally, next week (5 pm Tuesday, November 12^th) sees the e-mail/fax closing of bids for items featured in the 2002 Holiday Classics (assuming that they did not sell out at the pre-tasting). First, I must alert you that I cannot recommend the very pleasant, but grossly overrated, Bara Champagne Brut Reserve at $45; or for that matter the tasty and extremely zesty, but overpriced (at $329), Dom Perignon 1992 Brut Rosé.

What I can recommend is a surprisingly tasty, inexpensive, organic red from the Vacqueyras region of the Rhone - 1999 Domaine le Clos de Caveau at only $21. This medium bodied carry-over from last September’s Catalogue (the triangles are back) has gently earthy, spicy, plumy, dried raspberry flavours, which show good length. Better yet, it’s ready to drink.

Canadian Wine Awards
(These results were provided by the competition organizers)

Large Trophy Winners (7 items)

Winery of the Year
CedarCreek Estate Winery

Icewine of the Year
 Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate
2001 Riesling Icewine Private Reserve

Red Wine of the Year
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate
2000 Shiraz Proprietor's Reserve

White Wine of the Year
Niagara College 2001 Chardonnay

Dessert Wine Value of the Year
Inniskillin 2000 Riesling Special Select Late Harvest

Red Wine Value of the Year
Hernder Estates 1999 Cabernet Franc

White Wine Value of the Year
Chateau des Charmes
2000 Gewurztraminer St. David’s Vineyard

Smaller Trophies (21 items)

Best Sparkling Wine
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery 1998 Steller's Jay Brut

Best Pinot Blanc
Sandhill 2001 Pinot Blanc Burrowing Owl Vineyard

Best Pinot Gris
Mission Hill Family Estate 2001 Pinot Grigio

 Best Chardonnay
Niagara College 2001 Chardonnay

  Best Sauvignon Blanc
Creekside Estate Winery 2001 Sauvignon Blanc

  Best Riesling
Marynissen Estate Winery 2000 Riesling

  Best Gewurztraminer
Chateau des Charmes
2000 Gewurztraminer St. David's Bench Vineyard

  Best Other White Varietal
Gray Monk Estate Winery 2001 Siegerrebe

  Best Rose
Calona Vineyards 2001 Gamay Noir Blush

  Best Gamay
Hawthorne Mountain Vineyard 2000 Gamay

  Best Pinot Noir
CedarCreek Estate Winery 2000 Pinot Noir Platinum Reserve

Best Cabernet Franc
Hernder Estate Wines 1999 Cabernet Franc

  Best Merlot
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery 1999 Merlot Blacksage Vineyard

  Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Quails' Gate 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve

  Best Meritage
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate
2000 Red Meritage Private Reserve

  Best Meritage
Maleta Estate Winery 1999 Meritage

  Best Syrah/Shiraz
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2000 Shiraz Proprietor’s Reserve

  Best Red Hybrid
Birchwood Estate Wines 2000 Baco Noir

Best Late Harvest Wine
Inniskillin 2000 Riesling Special Select Late Harvest

  Best Vidal Icewine
Konzelmann Estate Winery 2000 Vidal Icewine

  Best Vinifera Icewine
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate
2001 Riesling Icewine Proprietor’s Reserve

Gold Medal Winners 2002 (18 items)

Gold - Whites (7items)
92 Niagara College 2001 Chardonnay
92 Chateau des Charmes 2000 Gewurztraminer
St. David's Bench Vineyard
92 Lakeview Cellars 2000 Chardonnay Reserve
91 CedarCreek 2000 Chardonnay Platinum Reserve
91 Gold CedarCreek 2000 Pinot Noir Platinum Reserve
91 Wild Goose 2001 Gewurztraminer

Gold - Reds (4 items)
92 Jackson-Triggs (Okanagan) 2000 Shiraz Proprietor's Reserve
91 CedarCreek 2000 Pinot Noir Platinum Reserve
91 Quails' Gate 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve
91 Mission Hill Family Estate 2000 Syrah Estate

Gold - Dessert Wines (7 items)
95 Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2001 Riesling Icewine Proprietor's Reserve
93 Henry of Pelham 2000 Riesling Icewine
92 Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2000 Riesling Icewine Grand Reserve
91 Konzelmann 2000 Vidal Icewine
91 Inniskillin 2000 Riesling Special Select Late Harvest
91 Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2001 Riesling Icewine Grand Reserve
91 Sumac Ridge 2000 Pinot Blanc Icewine

Silver Medal Winners 2002

Silver - Chardonnay (12 items)
90 Stoney Ridge 2000 Chardonnay Kew Vineyard
90 Cilento Wines 2000 Chardonnay Reserve
89 Angels Gate 2000 Chardonnay Old Vines
89 Hawthorne Mountain 2001 Chardonnay
89 Tinhorn Creek 2001 Chardonnay
88 Sandstone 2000 Chardonnay
88 Hawthorne Mountain 2001 Chardonnay Gold Label
88 Burrowing 2001 Chardonnay
88 Hillebrand 2000 Chardonnay Showcase Unfiltered
88 Southbrook Winery 2000 Chardonnay Triomphe
88 CedarCreek 2000 Chardonnay Estate Select
88 Sandhill 2001 Chardonnay Burrowing Owl Vineyard

Silver - Pinot Blanc & Pinot Gris (5 items)
90 Sandhill 2001 Pinot Blanc Burrowing Owl
89 Mission Hill 2001 Pinot Grigio
88 Mission Hill 2001 Pinot Blanc
88 Calona 2001 Pinot Blanc Artist Series
88 CedarCreek 2001 Pinot Gris

Silver - Sauvignon Blanc (2 items)
89 Creekside 2001 Sauvignon Blanc
88 Sumac Ridge 2001 White Meritage

Silver - Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Other Aromatics (8 items)
90 Marynissen 2000 Riesling
89 CedarCreek 2001 Riesling Dry
89 Gray Monk 2001 Gewurztraminer
88 Gray Monk 2000 Riesling
88 Tinhorn Creek 2001 Gewurztraminer
88 Thornhaven 2001 Gewurztraminer
88 Quails' Gate 2001 Gewurztraminer LR
88 Gray Monk 2001 Siegerrebe

Silver - Cabernet, Merlot, Franc & Blends (17 items)
90 Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2000 Red Meritage Private Reserve
90 Maleta Estate Winery 1999 Meritage
90 Sumac Ridge 1999 Merlot Blacksage
90 Hernder 1999 Cabernet Franc
90 CedarCreek 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Platinum Reserve
89 Inniskillin Okanagan 2000 Merlot Bull Pine
89 Colio 1999 CEV Signature
88 Sandstone 2000 Meritage
88 Mission Hill 2000 Oculus
88 Inniskillin 1999 Meritage Reserve
88 Mission Hill 2000 Cabernet-Merlot
88 Stoney Ridge 1999 Merlot Reserve
88 Colio 1999 CEV Cabernet Franc Reserve
88 Lakeview 2000 Cabernet Franc
88 Creekside 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature
88 Quails' Gate 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Release
88 Chateau des Charmes 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon St. David's

Silver - Pinot Noir (4 items)
89 Burrowing Owl Vineyards 2000 Pinot Noir
89 CedarCreek 2000 Pinot Noir Estate Select
89 Quails' Gate 2000 Pinot Noir Family Reserve
88 Quails' Gate 2000 Pinot Noir Limited Release

Silver - Syrah/Shiraz & Red Hybrids (4 items)
89 Burrowing Owl Vineyards 2000 Syrah
89 Birchwood 2000 Baco Noir
88 Mission Hill Family Estate 2000 Shiraz Reserve
88 Lakeview 2000 Baco Noir Reserve

Silver - Dessert Wines (5 items)
90 Hawthorne Mountain 2000 Ehrenfelser Icewine Gold Label Series
89 Pillitteri Estates 2001 Riesling lcewine
88 Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2000 Sparkling Riesling Icewine
Grand Reserve
88 Magnotta 2000 Riesling Icewine Limited Edition
88 Chateau des Charmes 2000 Riesling Icewine Paul Bosc Estate

FINALISTS

Winery of the Year
Burrowing Owl Vineyards
CedarCreek Estate Winery
Chateau des Charmes
Gray Monk Estate Winery
Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards
Inniskillin Wines
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate
Mission Hill Family Estate Winery
Quails' Gate Estate Winery
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery

White Wine of the Year
CedarCreek 2000 Chardonnay Platinum Reserve
Chateau des Charmes 2000 Gewurzrtraminer St. Davids
Cilento Wines 2000 Chardonnay Reserve
Creekside 2001 Sauvignon Blanc
Lakeview Cellars 2000 Chardonnay Reserve
Marynissen Estates 2000 Riesling
Niagara College 2001 Chardonnay
Sandhill 2001 Pinot Blanc Burrowing Owl Vineyard
Stoney Ridge 2000 Chardonnay Reserve, Kew Vineyard
Wild Goose 2001 Gewurztraminer

Value of the Year: White
Calona Vineyards 2001 Pinot Blanc Artist Series
CedarCreek 2001 Riesling Dry
Chateau des Charmes 2000 Gewurzrtraminer St.Davids
Hawthorne Mountain 2001 Chardonnay
Jackson-Triggs (Okanagan) 2001 Dry Riesling 
Marynissen Estates 2000 Riesling
Mission Hill 2001 Pinot Blanc 
Sandhill 2001 Pinot Blanc Burrowing Owl Vineyard
Wild Goose 2001 Gewurztraminer  

Red Wine of the Year
Burrowing Owl 2000 Syrah 
CedarCreek 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon PR
CedarCreek 2000 Pinot Noir PR
Jackson-Triggs (Okanagan) 2000 Red Meritage PR
Jackson-Triggs (Okanagan) 2000 Shiraz PR
Maleta Estate Winery 1999 Meritage 
Mission Hill 2000 Shiraz
Mission Hill 2000 Syrah Estate 
Quails' Gate 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon FR
Quails' Gate 2000 Pinot Noir FR  

Value of the Year: Red
Ancient Coast 2000 Baco Noir 
Birchwood Estate 2000 Baco Noir 
Calona Vineyards 2000 Pinot Noir Artist Series
Hawthorne Mountain 2000 Gamay Dry 
Hernder Estates 1999 Cab. Franc 
Lailey Vineyard 2001 Zweigelt 
Magnotta 2001 Trianto
Mission Hill 2000 Cab. Merlot 
Okanagan Vineyards 1999 Pinot Noir 
 Sumac Ridge 1999 Cab. Merlot

Icewine of the Year
Chateau des Charmes 2000 Vidal Icewine
Crown Bench Estates Winery 2000 Vidal Icewine Select
Hawthorne Mountain 2000 Ehrenfelser Icewine Gold LS
Henry of Pelham 2000 Riesling Icewine
Jackson-Triggs (Okanagan) 2000 Riesling Icewine GR
Jackson-Triggs (Okanagan) 2001 Riesling Icewine GR
Jackson-Triggs (Okanagan) 2001 Riesling Icewine R
Konzelmann  2000 Vidal Icewine
Pillitteri Estates 2001 Riesling lcewine
Sumac Ridge 2000 Pinot Blanc Icewine

Value of the Year: Dessert
Crown Bench 2000 Vidal Icewine Beamsville Bench Select
Inniskillin 2000 Riesling Special Select Late Harvest
Magnotta 2000 Riesling Icewine Limited Edition
Southbrook Winery 2000 Vidal Icewine
Thomas & Vaughan 2000 Vidal SS Late Harvest

Check out the
November 2002 InStore Discovery

Copyright Food & Beverage Testing Institute of Canada 2004
Prior written permission is required for any form of reproduction
 (electronic or other wise) and or quotation.
Contact Michael Vaughan at
mbv@total.net