WineAlign - Awards - 2022 NWAC Sparkling

Results of the 2022 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (The Nationals)

Opening with a Pop – Sparkling

Category Overview by Judge Treve Ring

Recent statistics show that sparkling wine consumption is rapidly rising in Canada, both by value and volume. With 200+ wineries producing a diverse range of sparkling across the country, consumers have a greater selection of quality homegrown sparkling than ever before.

(Jump straight to the medal winners.)

This was clearly evident in this year’s awards, with two dozen outstanding Gold Medals, and one exemplary Platinum wine that impressed the judges time and time again over the competition. Niagara Peninsula’s 13th Street 2015 Premier Cuvée landed atop the fizz podium this year, though wines from Vancouver Island right across to Nova Scotia struck Gold (while Quebec represented close behind with Silver). The joy, for me, in judging this category is that every year I come across new cuvées, new winemakers, and new expressions of sparkling wine that impress. Though not surprising to see classic Champagne grapes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominating, it was telling to see lesser-known grapes in the medals, including hybrids, reflective of the vast diversity of this country’s terroirs and climates.

It’s also impressive to see how many more producers are releasing traditional method sparkling wines, a major commitment of time and resources, and involving a great deal of commitment and knowledge.

Though we’re tasting all blind of course, it’s become increasingly easier to read where wines are from. BC sparkling tends to be pure, fruit-forward, and fresh, with more mid-weight to the palate; Ontario’s limestone helps create leaner, sharper fruit, often with more toast and edges; Nova Scotia’s high tones, soaring acidity and, sleek and buzzing baseline stand out. This is certainly an exciting category, and future, for Canadian wine.

Cheers!

And the winners are…

13th Street 2015 Premier Cuvee, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

13th Street 2019 Blanc de Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Avondale Sky 2013 Blanc de Noir Extra Brut, Nova Scotia
Blomidon 2011 Blanc de Blancs, Nova Scotia
Fitzpatrick 2015 Fitz Brut, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Flat Rock Cellars NV Riddled Sparkling, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Harper’s Trail 2019 Chardonnay Sparkling Thadd Springs Vineyard, Thompson, British Columbia
Hidden Bench 2016 Blanc de Blanc Zéro Dosage, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Huff Estates 2018 Cuvée Peter, Prince Edward County, Ontario
L’Acadie 2020 Joie de Vivre L’Acadie Vineyards Charmat Method, Nova Scotia
La Frenz 2018 Aster Brut, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Leaning Post 2018 Traditional Method Blanc de Blanc, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Lightfoot & Wolfville 2015 Blanc de Noirs, Nova Scotia
Malivoire N/V Bisous Brut, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Malivoire NV Bisous Rose, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Megalomaniac NV Bubblehead Blanc de Blancs, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Noble Ridge 2018 The Pink One, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Queenston Mile 2017 Blanc de Noirs, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Queenston Mile 2017 Grand Mile, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Silhouette N/V Boyd Classic Cuvee, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Stellers Jay 2017 Mountain Jay Brut, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tantalus 2019 Blanc de Blancs Traditional Method, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tinhorn Creek 2018 Blanc de Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Zanatta NV Tradizionale Brut, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia