CWA 2010: Gewürztraminer

(35 entries, 17 medals)

Highly aromatic gewürztraminer has proven to be the most controversial wine in 10 years of CWA judging, reflecting its sensitivity to climatic differences and how winemakers perceive it (serious dry dinner wine or sweet patio sipper). This year, as usual, B.C. dominates the medal column, taking all the gold and silvers, with Thornhaven repeating as a gold medallist. Thornhaven’s unctuous, complex style and balance should be the target for B.C. gewürz, and many come close. But six judges complained that, in going for opulence, most wines have too much sugar. “Some express real gewürz character, but the tendency to leave residual sugar is dampening that experience,” said Tony Aspler.

Gold

Thornhaven Estates 2009 Gewürztraminer, Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $18

Silver

Ovino Winery 2009 Gewürztraminer, Salmon Arm, British Columbia     $15

Wild Goose Vineyards 2009 Mystic River Gewürztraminer, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $23

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

Calona Vineyards 2009 Artist Series Gewürztraminer, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $14

See YA Later Ranch 2009 Gewürztraminer, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $15

Bronze

Arrowleaf 2009 Suncrest Vineyard Solstice Gewürztraminer, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Desert Hills 2009 Gewürztraminer, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Calamus 2009 Gewürztraminer, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $17

Tawse 2009 Quarry Road Gewürztraminer, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $25

Thirty Bench Wine Makers 2009 Small Lot Gewürztraminer, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $30

Hidden Bench 2009 Felseck Vineyard Gewürztraminer, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $30

Quails’ Gate Winery 2009 Gewürztraminer, Westbank South, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $18

Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2008 Delaine Vineyard Gewürztraminer, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $23

Ruby Tuesday 2009 Gewürztraminer, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

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

Wild Goose Vineyards 2009 Gewürztraminer, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

See more results from the Wine Access 2010 Canadian Wine Awards