Judges
Our judging panels are comprised of some of Canada’s leading wine writers, journalists, sommeliers, buyers and industry professionals. We also like to seek out new and emerging talent in the industry to be part of the judging team. The blend of experience and enthusiasm, brought by judges from many regions across Canada, ensures a comprehensive view of the wine world’s most current state.
For the third year in a row, we are pleased to announce that acclaimed UK wine journalist Dr. Jamie Goode will be joining our panel of judges in Penticton, BC.
We are also very excited to have American wine writer Elaine Chukan Brown (WakawakaWineReviews.com) joining us this year for the first time. Elaine is the American wine specialist for JancisRobinson.com as well as a writer for Wine & Spirits and The World of Fine Wine, among other publications.
You can follow the 2016 NWAC and our judges’ tweets from start to finish on Twitter @WineAlign and look for the hashtag #NWAC16.
Our Judging Process
The judging is overseen by WineAlign principal critics and partners Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason.
All competition wines are blind-tasted and judged in categories according to varietal or style, not by region, using the same 100-point system as used on WineAlign.
Each wine earning the requisite points will get a medal.
Wines with the top scores in the entire awards will be awarded a Platinum medal (approximately 1% of the total entries). Gold medals = 90 – 100 points Silver medals = 88 – 89 points Bronze medals = 87 points
The 2016 Judges (in alphabetical order)
Co-head Judges Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason
Michelle Bouffard
British Columbia
Certified sommelier, AIWS, Housewine, CAPS-BC President
Follow on Twitter @housewine_girls
Rémy Charest
Quebec
WineAlign, Chacun son Vin, Palate Press, The Wine Case, CJAD 800AM
Follow on Twitter @RemyCharest
Elaine Chukan Brown
USA
JancisRobison.com, WakawakaWineReviews.com, Wine & Spirits
Follow on Twitter @Hawk_Wakawaka
Sara d’Amato
Ontario
WineAlign, Chatelaine
Follow on Twitter @SaradAmato
Dr. Janet Dorozynski
Ontario
WineAlign
Follow on Twitter @WineTrackMind
Nadia Fournier
Quebec
WineAlign, Chacun son Vin, Guide du Vin, L’actualité
Follow on Twitter @NadiaFournier
Anthony Gismondi
British Columbia
Co-Chief Judge
WineAlign, Vancouver Sun
Follow on Twitter @TheSpitter
Michael Godel
Ontario
WineAlign, godello.com, Wine Director at Barque Smokehouse
Follow on Twitter @mgodello
Dr. Jamie Goode
United Kingdom
Author, The Sunday Express, wineanorak.com
Follow on Twitter @JamieGoode
DJ Kearney
British Columbia
Wine and Spirits Education Trust, Vancouver Magazine
Follow on Twitter @djwines
David Lawrason
Ontario
Co-Chief Judge
WineAlign, Toronto Life, Ottawa Magazine
Follow on Twitter @DavidLawrason
Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson
Manitoba
Winnipeg Free Press
Follow on Twitter @bensigurdson
Sharon McLean
British Columbia
Cru Consultancy
Follow on Twitter @urban_vines
Rhys Pender, MW
British Columbia
Wine Plus+
Follow on Twitter @WinePlus
Craig Pinhey
New Brunswick
Telegraph Journal, East Coast Living, TAPS Magazine, Progress
Follow on Twitter @frogspadca
Heather Rankin
Nova Scotia
Obladee Wine Bar
Follow on Twitter @curlyluddite
Treve Ring
British Columbia
WineAlign, Gismondi On Wine, Meininger’s Wine Business, SIP Northwest, Scout, Quench
Follow on Twitter @Treve_Ring
Brad Royale
Alberta
Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts
Follow on Twitter @BradRoyale
John Szabo, MS
Ontario
WineAlign, City Bites
Follow on Twitter @JohnSzabo
Steve Thurlow
Ontario
WineAlign, Wine for Life
Follow on Twitter @steveonwine
Bill Zacharkiw
Quebec
WineAlign, Chacun son Vin, Montreal Gazette, CHOM FM
Follow on Twitter @BillZacharkiw
Questions or comments? Contact us: [email protected]