Note: The following was released by the Ontario Wine Awards and presented here exactly as it was sent to us. Winners of the Ontario Wine Awards are at bottom of the post.
Thursday, June 17th, 2010 — Every year, the Ontario Wine Awards and sip & Savour Ontario roll out the red carpet to showcase some of Ontario’s finest, world-class VQA wines. This year saw another successful Wine Week with the participation of some of the industry’s biggest names. With 26 award-winning wineries pouring more than 100 VQA wines, and locally inspired food pairings by five of the industry’s top chefs, it was definitely an exciting and intense day of thirst quenching and savouring of some of Ontario’s homegrown goodness.
Each year, a panel of highly respected industry experts taste more than 500 wine entries from over 65 of Ontario’s first-rate wineries in accreditation of the provinces best. This year’s award ceremony was kicked off by industry exclusive seminars where guest speakers Norman Hardie, Natalie Reynolds and Bill Redelmeier led discussions on a few of the provinces highlighted varietals, as well as the wine industry’s recent spotlight in London, England.
The afternoon began with a traditional sparkling wine reception, followed by an aw-inspiring, locally themed four-course meal, prepared by Pantages Hotel’s Chef Marco Ormond. Each course was artfully paired with some of this year’s gold medal-winning wines, as guests were wined and dined through an afternoon of award ceremonies. Celebrity MC Kevin Brauch from Food Network Canada’s hit series The Thirsty Traveler, alongside celebrated Canadian wine writer and Order of Canada Recipient, Tony Aspler, joined forces in promoting local wine and food in hosting this year’s Ontario Wine Awards ceremonies.
With more than 25 varietal award categories, Ontario is truly a world-class region that is lucky to boast both its quality and variety of wines. A few of this year’s big winners, taking home three or more medals include, Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery and Tawse Winery. The consumer-judged award of label of the year went to one of Niagara’s newest members of the wine community, Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery with their Baco Noir label.
The 2010 ‘Wine of the Year’ awards, sponsored by Pantages Hotel Toronto Centre, was awarded to Vineland Estates 2007 Cabernet Franc Reserve for the ‘Red Wine of the Year’, and the ‘White Wine of the Year’ was awarded to Huff Estates 2007 South Bay Vineyards Chardonnay.
The Pantages Hotel Toronto Centre ‘Winemaker of the Year’ award, went to the deserving Darryl Brooker for his successes at Hillebrand Winery. This award recognizes the winemaker’s consistent quality production across his portfolio, and his overall contribution to the wine industry. The traditional gift of a Montblanc watch accompanied this prestigious award.
Linda Bramble received the VINES Magazine ‘Wine Journalism Award’, which recognizes the best written work published in 2009 on the Ontario wine industry and acknowledged Linda for her book entitled ‘Niagara’s Wine Visionaries’.
With the award ceremonies wrapped up, and the day growing into early evening, the Pantages Hotel Toronto Centre and the Ontario Wine Awards opened its doors to the public for an evening of home-grown excellence with sip & Savour Ontario, the cities freshest local tasting event of the year.
Wine beginners, enthusiasts, and experts alike, sipped and savored award-winning VQA wines, while indulging in regional cuisine prepared by top industry Chefs. Guests also had the opportunity to get up close and personal with Ontario’s finest winemakers, sommeliers and winery representatives while immersed in this gastronomically inspiring wine and culinary experience.
The support has never felt greater for the Ontario VQA wineries and locally inspired restaurants. On behalf of the Ontario Wine Awards and sip & Savour Ontario, we raise our glass in thanks for making this year such a huge success. We hope you continue to honour Ontario Wine Week throughout the year by purchasing VQA Ontario wines at your local LCBO, and making the trip to visit and experience your local wine regions and farmers markets in support of a local and sustainable Ontario. Ask about the variety of local excellence available fresh from Ontario’s vineyards, farmlands and kitchens and love the land you live on. Cheers!
2010 Ontario Wine Awards – Final Results
Eurocork Sparkling Wine Award
Gold: Hillebrand Winery NV Trius Brut Silver: Henry of Pelham Family Estate NV Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut Bronze: Henry of Pelham Family Estate NV Cuvée Catharine Brut Bronze: Konzelmann Estate 2008 Sparkling Riesling Methode Cuvée Close
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Dry Riesling Award
Gold: Thirty Bench 2008 Small Lot Riesling Steel Post Vineyard Silver: Thirty Bench 2008 Riesling Bronze: Rosewood Estates 2008 Riesling Reserve
680News Semi-Dry Riesling Award
Gold: Flat Rock Cellars 2008 Riesling Silver: Tawse 2009 Sketches of Niagara Riesling Bronze: Jackson-Triggs 2007 Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Riesling
Luxor Realty Inc. Dry White Varietal Award
Gold: Reif Estate 2008 Chenin Blanc Silver: Lakeview Cellars 2009 Reserve Auxerrois Bronze: Inniskillin 2008 Reserve Series Brae Blanc Bronze: Hillebrand Winery 2008 Trius White Bronze: Flat Rock Cellars 2008 Twisted
Bullfrog Power Gewurztraminer Award
Gold: Thirty Bench 2009 Small Lot Gewurztraminer Silver: Rosewood Estates 2008 Gewurztraminer Bronze: Stonechurch Vineyards 2009 Gewurztraminer
NOW Magazine Pinot Gris Award
Gold: Peller Estates 2008 Private Reserve Pinot Gris Silver: Inniskillin 2008 Winemaker’s Series Pinot Gris Bronze: Calamus Estate 2008 Pinot Gris
The Wine Establishment Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Award
Gold: Lakeview Cellars 2009 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Silver: Peninsula Ridge Estates 2008 Fumé Blanc Bronze: Rosewood Estates 2008 Semillon
680News Oaked Chardonnay Award ~ Under $20
Gold: Jackson-Triggs 2008 Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Chardonnay Silver: Inniskillin 2008 Reserve Series Chardonnay Bronze: Inniskillin 2008 Winemaker’s Series Three Vineyards Chardonnay Bronze: Riverview Cellars Estate 2008 Angelina’s Reserve Chardonnay
Ottawa Wine & Food Show Oaked Chardonnay Award ~ Over $20
Gold: Huff Estates 2007 South Bay Vineyards Chardonnay Silver: Flat Rock Cellars 2007 Reserve Chardonnay Bronze: Peller Estates 2008 Signature Series Chardonnay Sur Lie
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Unoaked Chardonnay Award
Gold: Tawse 2009 Chardonnay Musque Silver: Rosewood Estates 2008 Unoaked Chardonnay Bronze: Chateau des Charmes 2008 Unoaked Chardonnay
VINES Magazine Rosé/Blanc de Noir Award
Gold: Magnotta Winery 2008 White Merlot Special Reserve Silver: Tawse 2009 Sketches of Niagara Rosé Bronze: Cattail Creek Estate 2009 Serendipity Rosé
Crush Wine Bar Gamay Award
Gold: Thirteenth Street Winery 2008 Gamay Noir Silver: Angels Gate Winery 2008 Gamay Noir Bronze: Malivoire Wine Company 2008 Gamay
Grape Growers of Ontario Pinot Noir Award
Gold: Coyote’s Run Estate 2007 Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir Silver: Henry of Pelham Family Estate 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir Bronze: Tawse 2007 17th Street Pinot Noir
Niagara Airbus Red Hybrid Award
Gold: Malivoire Wine Company 2008 Old Vines Foch Silver: Henry of Pelham Family Estate 2007 Reserve Baco Noir Bronze: Sandbanks Estate 2007 Baco Noir Reserve
NOW Magazine Cabernet Sauvignon Award
Gold: Kacaba Vineyards 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Silver: Creekside Estate 2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Bronze: Peller Estates 2007 Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon
680News Cabernet Franc Award
Gold: Vineland Estates 2007 Cabernet Franc Reserve Silver: Calamus Estate 2007 Cabernet Franc Bronze: Inniskillin 2007 Reserve Series Cabernet Franc
Satta & Satta Merlot Award
Gold: Jackson-Triggs 2007 Delaine Vineyard Merlot Silver: Creekside Estate 2006 Reserve Merlot Bronze: Cattail Creek Estate 2007 Merlot Reserve
Dairy Farmers of Canada Syrah/Shiraz Award
Gold: Creekside Estate 2007 Broken Press Shiraz Silver: Southbrook Vineyards 2008 Triomphe Syrah Bronze: Marynissen Estates 2007 Syrah
The Ontario Wine Society Meritage and Cabernet/Merlot Blends Award
Gold: Wayne Gretzky Estates 2007 Estate Series Cabernet / Merlot Silver: Niagara College Teaching Winery 2007 Dean’s List Meritage Canadian Oak Project Bronze: Thirty Bench 2007 Small Lot Benchmark Red
VIA Rail Canada Late Harvest Award
Gold: Chateau des Charmes 2007 Late Harvest Riesling, Estate Bottled Silver: Ridgepoint Wines 2008 Late Harvest Cabernet Sauvignon Bronze: 20 Bees 2008 Late Harvest Vidal Bronze: Konzelmann Estate 2008 Vidal Special Select Late Harvest
Allenʼs Vidal Icewine Award
Gold: Jackson-Triggs 2007 Proprietors’ Reserve Vidal Icewine Silver: Inniskillin 2006 Oak Aged Vidal Icewine Bronze: Dan Aykroyd Winery 2006 Signature Series Vidal Icewine
LCBO Vinifera Icewine Award
Gold: Chateau des Charmes 2007 Riesling Icewine, Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard Silver: Inniskillin 2007 Riesling Icewine Bronze: Peller Estates 2008 Signature Series Cabernet Franc Icewine
Allenʼs Blended White Award
Gold: Pelee Island Winery 2009 Monarch Vidal Silver: Southbrook Vineyards 2009 Fresh Bronze: Pelee Island Winery 2009 Blanc de Blanc
Allenʼs Blended Red Award
Gold: Wayne Gretzky Estates 2007 Estate Series Shiraz / Cabernet Silver: Inniskillin 2007 Winemaker’s Series Select Vineyards Shiraz-Cabernet Bronze: Dan Aykroyd Winery 2008 Cabernet Shiraz
All Stick Label Limited Best Label Design Award
Gold: Sue-Ann Staff Estate 2008 Baco Noir Silver: Five Rows Craft Wine of Lowrey Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Bronze: Southbrook Vineyards Whimsy! 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
VINES Magazine Wine Journalism Award
Linda Bramble
Pantages Hotel Toronto Centre White Wine of the Year Award
Huff Estates 2007 South Bay Vineyards Chardonnay
Pantages Hotel Toronto Centre Red Wine of the Year Award
Vineland Estates 2007 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Pantages Hotel Toronto Centre Winemaker of the Year Award
Darryl Brooker, Hillebrand Winery
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