Results of the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (The Nationals)
Chardonnay
Category Overview by Judge Treve Ring
Once again, Chardonnay has proven itself to be Canada’s most successful grape, with 88 medals and a geographical range spanning sea to shining sea. It’s no surprise that the grape, the world’s most famous and transplanted white, grows well here. What may surprise many is just how well it excels here, particularly suited to Canada’s Rooted In Cool climate.
(Jump straight to the medal winners.)
This year’s Platinum medallists were shared between BC and Ontario, each playing off their respective regional strengths. In the west, pure, fresh, focused fruit leads, braced by vibrant natural acidity. In the east, limestone rules, as do mature winemakers that are embracing reductive winemaking to amplify their natural terroir.
It’s no surprise that the annual International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4c) which just wrapped up in Niagara is now one of the must-hit wine events on the international circuit, drawing widespread attention and sell-out crowds.
The Chardonnay flights are certainly desired by judges during NWAC week, especially during the final rounds when the high quality and consistency is rewarding, and as evidenced by this year’s results, awarded.
And the winners are…
Leaning Post 2017 Chardonnay Senchuk Vineyard, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Meyer 2017 Tribute Series Joannie Rochette Chardonnay Old Main Rd, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mission Hill 2017 Perpetua Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Organized Crime 2017 Cuvée Krystyna Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Quails’ Gate 2017 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Bricklayer’s Reward 2017 20 Barrels Chardonnay, Ontario
CedarCreek 2017 Platinum Chardonnay Block 5, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Closson Chase 2017 Churchside Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Coolshanagh 2016 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Fort Berens 2017 White Gold, British Columbia
Hidden Bench 2016 Chardonnay Felseck Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Hidden Bench 2016 Chardonnay Tête de Cuvée, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Hidden Bench 2017 Estate Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Huff Estates 2017 South Bay Vineyards Chardonnay , Prince Edward County, Ontario
Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate 2017 Grand Reserve Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Karlo Estates 2017 Chardonnay Estate, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Meldville 2017 Chardonnay Third Edition, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Norman Hardie Winery 2016 County Chardonnay Unfiltered, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Organized Crime 2017 Limestone Block Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
SpearHead 2017 Chardonnay Clone 95, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tightrope 2017 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Trail Estate 2017 Chardonnay Vintage Two Unfiltered, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Black Swift 2016 Oak Street Vineyard Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Culmina 2016 Dilemma, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Exultet Estates 2016 The Blessed, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Fitzpatrick 2017 The Big Leap Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Flat Rock Cellars 2016 Good Kharma Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Flat Rock Cellars 2017 Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Flat Rock Cellars 2017 The Rusty Shed Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Hester Creek 2018 Chardonnay Golden Mile Bench , Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Inniskillin Niagara Estate 2017 Chardonnay Montague Vineyard, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Kacaba 2017 Select Series Unoaked Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Kew 2016 Old Vine Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Legends Estates 2017 Chardonnay Reserve, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Lundy Manor 2016 Chardonnay Wismer Vineyards, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Malivoire 2017 Small Lot Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Megalomaniac 2017 Contrarian White , Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Meyer 2017 Micro Cuvee Old Main Rd Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Monte Creek Ranch 2017 Chardonnay, British Columbia
Moraine 2017 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Moraine 2018 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Morandin Wines 2017 Chardonnay Sangreal Estate Vineyard, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Niagara College Teaching Winery 2017 Marmitons Gastronomy Chardonnay Ziraldo, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Norman Hardie Winery 2016 Chardonnay Unfiltered, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Quails’ Gate 2017 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2017 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Southbrook 2017 Organic Triomphe Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Stratus 2016 Chardonnay Unfiltered & Bottled with Lees, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tantalus 2017 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Trail Estate 2017 Chardonnay Foxcroft Vineyard, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
vinAmité Cellars 2017 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
13th Street 2017 Chardonnay June’s Vineyard, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
13th Street 2017 Chardonnay L. Viscek Vineyard, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Adamo 2016 Barrel Select Chardonnay Willms Vineyard, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Black Sage 2017 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
CedarCreek 2017 Estate Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Closson Chase 2017 Vineyard Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Domaine Queylus 2017 Chardonnay La Grande Réserve, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Exultet Estates 2017 The Blessed Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Gray Monk 2018 Chardonnay Unwooded, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Honsberger 2017 Chardonnay Schuele Vineyards, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Intrigue Wines 2018 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Leaning Post 2017 Chardonnay Wismer-Foxcroft Vineyard, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Lightfoot & Wolfville 2016 Ancienne Wild Ferment Chardonnay, Nova Scotia
Lighthall Vineyards 2017 Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Maverick 2017 Cross Road Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Megalomaniac 2017 My Way Chardonnay , Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Meyer 2017 Chardonnay McLean Creek Rd, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Nagging Doubt 2018 Chardonnay Sallows Road Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Nk’Mip Cellars 2017 Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Norman Hardie Winery 2015 Cuvée des Amis Unfiltered, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Painted Rock 2017 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Redstone 2015 Chardonnay Limestone Ridge, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Seaside Pearl 2017 Fraser Gold Chardonnay, Fraser Valley, British Columbia
SKAHA Vineyard 2018 Unoaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Southbrook 2017 Saunders Vineyard Chardonnay , Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Strewn 2016 Terroir Chardonnay Canadian Oak, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tantalus 2018 Bear Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tawse 2016 Chardonnay Sketches, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2016 Wine Club Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2017 Chardonnay Estate, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2017 Chardonnay Robyn’s Block, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
The Farm 2017 Unmarked Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Thirty Bench 2017 Small Lot Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Three Sisters 2017 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Vignoble de l’Orpailleur 2017 Chardonnay, Quebec
