Results of the 2023 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (The Nationals)
Chardonnay
Category Overview by Judge Janet Dorozynski, PhD, DipWSET
(Jump straight to the medal winners.)
Chardonnay is always one of the largest categories of entries at the National Wine Awards of Canada and this year was no exception. It had the second largest number of entries after red blends and, in terms of vitis vinifera plantings across Canada, it is well represented in the four major growing regions of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. An adaptable grape that is well suited to the many climatic and growing conditions of Canada, it is able to withstand the summer heat of the south Okanagan, and it copes well during colder winters in Ontario and elsewhere.
Many wineries are starting to lighten up on their use of oak in chardonnay to great effect and have embraced fresher styles with little to no oak altogether. It also continues to be a popular variety among consumers. If you haven’t already had the chance to attend the annual Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C) that takes place in Niagara, be sure to do so. It is a must for fans of chardonnay with the chance to taste stand out chardonnays from across Canada and further afield.
Canada produces a number of really great chardonnays and the showings for Platinum, Gold and Silver medals reflect this. There were three Platinums and almost two dozen Gold medal winning wines, largely from the 2020 and 2021 vintages, with Ontario having a slight edge over British Columbia.
Deep Roots 2020 Reserve Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Hidden Bench 2020 Chardonnay Tête de Cuvée Rosomel Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Westcott 2020 Block 76 Chardonnay , Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
CedarCreek 2021 Aspect Collection Block 5 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
CedarCreek 2021 Estate Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Cloudsley Cellars 2020 Chardonnay Foxcroft Vineyard, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Colio 2020 Reserve Chardonnay, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Dirty Laundry 2022 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Hester Creek 2021 Chardonnay, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Hidden Bench 2020 Chardonnay Felseck Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Hidden Bench 2021 Chardonnay Béton, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Huff Estates 2021 Catharine’s Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Le Clos Jordanne 2020 Claystone Terrace Chardonnay , Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Liquidity 2021 Estate Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Liquidity 2021 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mission Hill 2021 Legacy Collection Perpetua, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mission Hill 2021 Terroir Collection Pine Hill Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Moraine 2021 Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Nk’Mip Cellars 2021 Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2021 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2021 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2021 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Stonebridge 2019 Reserve East Chardonnay Stonebridge Vineyard, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Trius 2020 Showcase Chardonnay Wild Ferment Watching Tree Vineyard, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Two Sisters Vineyards 2020 Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
16 Mile Cellar 2020 Civility Single Vineyard Chardonnay, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
16 Mile Cellar 2020 Rebel Chardonnay Susan’s Vineyard, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Bella Terra Vineyards 2020 Chardonnay, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Bartier Bros. 2022 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Black Hills 2021 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Chaberton 2021 Barrel Aged Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Closson Chase 2021 South Clos Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Closson Chase 2021 Vineyard Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Covert Farms 2021 Grand Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Culmina 2020 Dilemma Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Da Silva 2022 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Domaine de Grand Pré 2021 Small Lot Chardonnay, Nova Scotia
Domaine Queylus 2021 Chardonnay Réserve du Domaine, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Fielding 2021 Chardonnay Estate Bottled, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Flat Rock Cellars 2020 The Rusty Shed Chardonnay , Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Fort Berens 2022 Chardonnay, British Columbia
Gray Monk 2022 Chardonnay Unwooded, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Hainle 2021 Oaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Hidden Bench 2021 Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Inniskillin 2021 Montague Vineyard Chardonnay , Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Lake Breeze 2022 Unoaked Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Le Clos Jordanne 2020 Jordan Village Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Le Clos Jordanne 2020 Le Grand Clos Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Lightfoot & Wolfville 2020 Ancienne Chardonnay, Nova Scotia
Luckett Vineyards 2020 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Nova Scotia
Lunessence 2022 Chardonnay Small Lot Series, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Malivoire 2021 Estate Grown Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Mission Hill 2021 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Monte Creek 2020 Ancient Waters Chardonnay , British Columbia
Monte Creek 2021 Living Land Chardonnay , British Columbia
Nicholas Pearce 2021 Crew Sauvage, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Nk’Mip Cellars 2020 Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Nk’Mip Cellars 2021 Winemakers Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Organized Crime 2020 Cuvée Krystyna Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Organized Crime 2021 Cuvée Krystyna Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Organized Crime 2021 Limestone Block Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Peller Estates 2021 Andrew Peller Signature Series Chardonnay Sur Lie, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Planters Ridge 2021 Chardonnay, Nova Scotia
Priest Creek Family Estate Winery 2022 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Privato Woodword Collection 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2020 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Queenston Mile 2021 Chardonnay, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Ravine Vineyard 2020 Reserve Chardonnay , St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Redstone 2020 Limestone Vineyard Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Stag’s Hollow 2021 Renaissance Chardonnay Partridge Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tawse 2020 Estate Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2020 Quarry Road Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2021 Sketches Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Thirty Bench 2021 Small Lot Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tinhorn Creek 2021 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tinhorn Creek 2021 Reserve Chardonnay, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Upper Bench 2020 Chardonnay Upper Bench Estate Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Vignoble Riviére du Chêne 2021 Chardonnay, Quebec
Villa Romana 2020 Benched Riserva Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Westcott 2021 Estate Chardonnay, Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Westcott 2021 Reserve Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
50th Parallel 2021 Chardonnay , Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Adamo 2020 Estate Chardonnay, Ontario
Arrowleaf 2021 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Blasted Church 2021 Swear to God Chardonnay, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Broken Stone 2021 County Grown Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Corcelettes 2021 Chardonnay , Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Coteau Rougemont 2021 Chardonnay La Cote, Quebec
Dark Horse 2020 Maeryn Chardonnay, Ontario
Deep Roots 2021 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Deep Roots 2022 Unoaked Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Fitzpatrick 2021 Big Leap Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Flat Rock Cellars 2021 Unplugged Unoaked Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Fort Berens 2021 Chardonnay, Lillooet, British Columbia
Henry of Pelham 2022 Chardonnay Three Hills Estate, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Inniskillin 2021 Reserve Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Kacaba Select Series 2021 Unoaked Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
La Cantina 2021 Chardonnay, Quebec
Leaning Post 2020 Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Malivoire 2021 Small Lot Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
McWatters Collection 2021 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Meyer 2021 Chardonnay Old Main Rd Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Meyer 2021 Stevens Block Chardonnay Old Main Rd Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mirabel 2021 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Morandin Wines 2021 County Chardonnay Sangreal Estate Vineyard, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Mt. Boucherie 2021 Original Vines Chardonnay, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Pelee Island 2021 Vinedressers Chardonnay, South Islands, Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario
Rosehall Run 2022 Chardonnay Musqué , Prince Edward County, Ontario
SpearHead 2020 Chardonnay Clone 95, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
SpearHead 2021 Saddle Block Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Stonebridge 2019 Reserve West Chardonnay Stonebridge Vineyard, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tantalus Vineyards 2021 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Unsworth Vineyards 2021 Chardonnay, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Uppercase Winery 2020 Axis Reserve Chardonnay, British Columbia
Vieni Estates 2016 Chardonnay Private Reserve, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Vignoble Camy 2021 Chardonnay Réserve, Quebec
Villa Romana 2020 Benched Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
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