Results of the 2021 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (The Nationals)
Chardonnay
Category Overview by Judge Treve Ring
People oft ask me ‘what’s Canada’s top grape?’ to which I reply without hesitation, Chardonnay.
(Jump straight to the medal winners.)
You might think with a country the size of ours, the distance spanning from BC’s Pacific lashed Wine Islands to Nova Scotia’s bracing Atlantic, there’s no one grape that could possibly be suitable, yet alone excel. But you’d be wrong. Chardonnay, the most famous and transplanted white grape in the world, is particularly well suited to our latitude, climates, soils, and thankfully in recent years, our maturing winemaking.
At this year’s Nationals, the Chardonnay flights were my highlights to judge, and in my very first flight of the competition, I found some gold medal worthy Chardonnay. In the end there were four Platinums awarded, surprisingly all from BC. Not surprisingly they were all from the lauded 2019 vintage, a stellar year for white wines in BC. I’d be happy to drink, and hold, any of the top scoring Canadian Chardonnay this year, and recommend keen wine lovers to do the same.
Lunessence 2019 Small Lot Series Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Meyer 2019 Tribute Series Dr. Bonnie Henry Chardonnay Old Main Rd Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Monte Creek 2019 Ancient Waters Chardonnay, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2019 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
50th Parallel 2019 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Blomidon 2018 Chardonnay, Nova Scotia
Burrowing Owl 2018 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
CedarCreek 2019 Estate Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
G. Marquis 2019 The Silver Line Niagara Stone Road Chardonnay, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Hester Creek 2020 Chardonnay, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Icellars 2019 Chardonnay Icel Vineyard, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Inniskillin Niagara 2019 Montague Vineyard Chardonnay, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Kitsch 2018 11 Barrel Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
La Frenz 2019 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Malivoire 2020 Small Lot Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Meyer 2019 Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Meyer 2019 Micro Cuvee Chardonnay McLean Creek Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mission Hill 2019 Legacy Collection Perpetua, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mission Hill 2019 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Nk’Mip Cellars 2019 Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Painted Rock 2019 Chardonnay, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2019 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Three Sisters 2019 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tinhorn Creek 2019 Oldfield Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Arterra 2018 Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Bartier Bros. 2019 Chardonnay Cerqueira Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Black Hills 2019 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Cave Spring 2019 Chardonnay CSV Cave Spring Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Cave Spring 2020 Chardonnay Musqué Estate, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
CedarCreek 2018 Platinum Block 5 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Clos du Soleil 2020 Winemaker’s Series La Cote Vineyard Chardonnay, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Closson Chase 2019 South Clos Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Culmina 2017 Dilemma Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Dirty Laundry 2020 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Domaine Queylus 2019 La Grande Réserve Chardonnay Cuveé Champlain, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Domaine Queylus 2019 Réserve du Domaine Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Fielding 2020 Chardonnay Unoaked, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Fielding 2020 Estate Bottled Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Flat Rock Cellars 2019 The Rusty Shed Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Flat Rock Cellars 2020 Unplugged Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Georgian Hills 2018 Wild & Inspired Chardonnay, Ontario
Henry of Pelham 2020 Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Hidden Bench 2019 Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Huff Estates 2019 South Bay Vineyard Catharine’s Chardonnay , Prince Edward County, Ontario
Intrigue Wines 2020 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Kacaba 2017 Premium Series Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Kalala 2019 Dostana Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Le Clos Jordanne 2018 Le Grand Clos Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Leaning Post 2019 Chardonnay Grimsby Hillside Vineyard , Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Liquidity 2019 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Little Engine 2018 Chardonnay Gold, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Little Engine 2019 Chardonnay Silver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Locust Lane 2019 Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Malivoire 2019 Mottiar Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Malivoire 2020 Moira Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Maverick 2020 Cross Road Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
McWatters Collection 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Meyer 2019 Stevens Block Chardonnay Old Main Road, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mirabel 2019 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Moraine 2020 Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mt. Boucherie 2020 Original Vines Chardonnay, British Columbia
Noble Ridge 2019 Corbishley Vintage Chardonnay, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Organized Crime 2020 Chardonnay Limestone Block, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars 2019 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Painted Rock 2020 Chardonnay, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2019 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Queenston Mile 2019 Chardonnay, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Red Rooster 2020 Sur Lie Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Riverview Cellars 2019 Angelina’s Reserve Chardonnay, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Rosehall Run 2019 JCR Chardonnay Rosehall Vineyard, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Seven Stones 2015 Chardonnay, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
SpearHead 2019 Chardonnay Clone 95, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
SpearHead 2019 Saddle Block Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tightrope 2019 Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tinhorn Creek 2019 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Upper Bench 2018 Estate Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
13th Street 2019 Chardonnay L. Viscek Vineyard, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
13th Street 2020 Chardonnay, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
16 Mile Cellar 2018 Tenacity Chardonnay, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Adamo 2019 Chardonnay, Ontario
Alvento 2018 Barrel-Aged Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Arrowleaf 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Baillie-Grohman 2018 Chardonnay, British Columbia
Black Sage 2019 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Blasted Church 2020 Unorthodox Chardonnay, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Broken Stone 2020 County Grown Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Canyonview Wines 2016 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Canyonview Wines 2017 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Chronos 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Closson Chase 2020 The Loyalist Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Corcelettes 2019 Micro Lot Series Chardonnay, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Corcelettes 2020 Micro Lot Series Chardonnay, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Crescent Hill 2018 Okanagan Girl Oaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Da Silva 2016 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Da Silva 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Dark Horse 2018 Chardonnay, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Deep Roots 2019 Reserve Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Deep Roots 2020 Unoaked Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Fielding 2018 Rock Pile Chardonnay, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Fort Berens 2020 Chardonnay, British Columbia
Good Natured 2020 Crisp Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Gray Monk 2020 Chardonnay Unwooded, British Columbia
Haywire 2020 Chardonnay Garnet Valley Ranch, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Haywire 2020 Chardonnay Secrest Mountain Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Jackson-Triggs Estate Winery 2019 Grand Reserve Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2019 Grand Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
JoieFarm 2020 Un-Oaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Kew 2019 Old Vine Chardonnay Estate Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Leaning Post 2018 Chardonnay Senchuk Vineyard, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Leaning Post 2018 Chardonnay Wismer – Foxcroft Vineyard, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Liber Farm 2017 Grand Estate Reserve Chardonnay, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Lightfoot & Wolfville 2018 Ancienne Chardonnay Wild Fermented, Nova Scotia
Lighthall 2018 Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Marynissen 2019 Platinum Series Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Megalomaniac 2020 Outspoken Unoaked Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Nk’Mip Cellars 2020 Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Nk’Mip Cellars 2020 Winemakers Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Noble Ridge 2020 Stony Knoll Chardonnay, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Organized Crime 2019 Cuvée Krystyna Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars 2020 Unoaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Phantom Creek 2019 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Ravine Vineyard 2019 Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Redstone 2017 The Club Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Redstone 2018 Chardonnay Limestone Vineyard, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Redstone 2020 The Club Unoaked Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Rivière du Chêne 2020 La Cantina Chardonnay, Vallée d’Oka, Quebec
Sandhill 2019 Harvest Series Chardonnay Sandhill Estate Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tantalus 2018 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
The Foreign Affair 2019 Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Unsworth 2019 Chardonnay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Vignoble Camy 2019 Chardonnay Réserve, Quebec
Volcanic Hills 2016 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Wending Home 2020 Chardonnay, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Westcott 2020 Butlers’ Grant Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
