CWA 2010: White Single Varieties

(49 entries, 26 medals)

The 52-percent medal ratio suggests there is plenty of room for less-mainstream white varieties in Canada. For reporting purposes, viognier and pinot blanc were added to this group, although they were tasted in separate flights. The judges felt most viogniers were weak on varietal character and somewhat diluted, perhaps from young vines or over-cropping. Pinot blancs pleased in general, with several judges commenting on their food friendliness. Chenin blancs received the most excitement; Vineland’s 2008 gold medal chenin was one of the most-discussed whites of the competition — a must for Loire chenin fans. The group included several interesting aromatic grapes like ortega, ehrenfelser, chenin blanc and muscat, with ehrenfelser being singled out as impressive by three judges. 

Gold

Vineland Estates 2008 Chenin Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $17

Silver

Mission Hill 2008 Reserve Viognier, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $16

Kraze Legz Vineyard and Winery 2009 The Bee’s Knees Pinot Blanc, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $23

Lake Breeze 2009 Ehrenfelser, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Domaine de Chaberton 2008 Siegerrebe, Fraser Valley, British Columbia     $16

Hillside Estate 2009 Muscat Ottonel, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Camelot Vineyards 2009 Camelot Vineyards, East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $23

Van Westen Vineyards 2009 Vivacious, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Magnotta 2009 Equus Series Pinot Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $9

Bronze

Creekside Estate 2008 Queenston Road Vineyard Reserve Viognier, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula Ontario     $29

Peller Estates Okanagan 2009 Family Series Pinot Blanc, British Columbia     $13

Van Westen Vineyards 2009 Orlando/Granite Ridge Viognier, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $25

Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery 2008 Birch Canoe Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $13

Lake Breeze 2009 Pinot Blanc, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $18

Silkscarf 2009 Viognier, Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $22

Nk’Mip Cellars 2009 Pinot Blanc, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $17

Hester Creek 2009 Trebbiano, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Mt. Boucherie 2007 Estate Collection Sémillon, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia     $15

Gray Monk 2009 Siegerrebe, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $17

Nk’Mip Cellars 2008 Pinot Blanc, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $17

CedarCreek 2009 Ehrenfelser, Westbank South, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Ruby Tuesday 2009 Viognier, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $25

Oliver Twist 2009 Viognier, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Calona Vineyards 2009 Artist Series Sovereign Opal, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $13

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2009 Proprietors’ Reserve Viognier, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $16

Mission Hill 2009 Five Vineyards Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $14