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Canadian wineries head back to U.K. for huge tasting in London for critics

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Note: Nearly 90 different Canadian wines, including some of the countries best sparkling wines, are heading to London this month for a media and trade tasting.

This is the news release issued by Wine Country Ontario (photos shown here are from three years ago):

Building on the success of the 2010 Seriously Cool Chardonnay Tasting in London, England, Wine Country Ontario, in partnership with Foreign Affair and International Trade Canada and the Canadian High Commission in

London, is organizing a media and trade tasting in London in May 16.

Support has also been provided by the Cool Climate Oenology & Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) at Brock University in Ontario who hosted and organized the wine submissions for the screening process. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food is also providing support for the event.

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Over 100 Canadian wines will be showcased in London, England when British wine writers and the wine trade gather at Canada House in Trafalgar Square on May 16 to sample a select group of wines.

The “rediscover” Canadian Wine tasting will showcase key wines from each winery – screened by a panel of Canadian wine critics.

Wineries from across Canada were invited to submit their wines in a blind tasting judged by a panel of Canadian judges.

The panel previewed over 250 Canadian wines and selected 89 wines from 37 wineries to qualify for the London event.

To ensure that the tasting provides focus, wineries were invited to submit their best wines from a list of grape varieties including Pinot Noir, Bordeaux blends or varietals, Syrah, Gamay Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.

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Wineries will be showcasing up to three of their eligible reds and up to two of their eligible whites. 18 wines from 9 British Columbia wineries along with 71 wines from 28 Ontario wineries will be showcased at the media and trade tasting.

Additionally, there will be a feature table and seminar to showcase traditional method sparkling wines from across Canada. 20 sparkling wines from 16 producers were selected by the same panel of judges that screened the wines for this event.

Sparkling wines will include 4 from Nova Scotia, 6 from British Columbia and 11 from Ontario. As said by Canadian Master Sommelier John Szabo, Canada “has the potential to produce, and is already producing, quality wines of the calibre that should make the Champenois quiver.”

The wines being poured:

British Columbia Wineries:

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery

Church & State Wines

Meyer Family Vineyards Inc.

Moon Curser Vineyards

Painted Rock Estate Winery Ltd.

Poplar Grove Winery

Quails’ Gate Estate Winery

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards

Wine Country Ontario wineries:

13th Street Winery

Bachelder Wines

Cave Spring Cellars

Château des Charmes

Charles Baker

Closson Chase

Coyote’s Run Estate Winery

Creekside Estate Winery

Exultet Estates

Fielding Estate Winery

Flat Rock Cellars

The Grange of Prince Edward Estate Winery

Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery

Inniskillin Wines

Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate

Lailey Vineyard Wines

Le Clos Jordanne

Malivoire Wine Company

Mike Weir Wine

Norman Hardie Winery

The Organized Crime Winery

Pelee Island Winery

Peller Estates Winery

Pillitteri Estates Winery

Ravine Vineyard

Riverview Cellars Estate Winery

Rosewood Estates Winery

Southbrook Vineyards

Stratus Vineyards

Sparkling wines being poured

British Columbia:

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan

Sperling Vineyards

Sumac Ridge Estate Winery

Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Tantalus

Nova Scotia

L’Acadie Vineyards

Benjamin Bridge

Blomidon Estate Winery

Wine Country Ontario:

13th Street Winery

Cave Spring Cellars

Fielding Estate Winery

Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery

Hinterland

Huff Estates Winery

Peller Estates Winery

Tasting details:

Date: Thursday 16th May 2013

Location: Canada House, Trafalgar Square, London

Times: Main trade and press tasting: 11am – 5pm in the Grand Salon

Export Seminar for Wineries: 9 – 10am in The High Commissioner’s Salon

Sommelier Masterclass on Canadian Sparkling Wine: 10.30 – 11.45am in The High Commissioner’s Salon

Agent/Importer Tasting: 4 to 6pm in The Larkin Club room

Tasting focuses:

Red wines produced from Pinot Noir, Bordeaux blends or varieties, Syrah or Gamay

White wines produced from Chardonnay or Riesling

Open pour sparkling wine table