CWA 2010: Pinot Gris/Grigio

(47 entries, 23 medals)

The number of entries was slightly lower in 2010, but a 50-percent medal ratio indicates the general success of and judges’ enthusiasm for the pinot gris grape in Canada. There were comments that Canada is making both the leaner Italian pinot grigio style and the riper, richer Alsatian style — and how this might create confusion. But most judges feel Canada is finding a style between the two, if edging, as Bill Zacharkiw suggested, “closer to the Alsatian model,” based largely on the riper pinot gris of the Okanagan’s warmer climate. “There is clean varietal expression and they are friendly to the novice and experienced pinot gris drinker,” said Tom Firth. A judiciously oaked version from Inniskillin walked off with the only gold in the group.

Gold

Inniskillin 2009 Winemaker’s Series Barrel Aged Pinot Gris, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $20

Silver

Peller Estates Okanagan 2009 Private Reserve Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $17

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

Gray Monk 2009 Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $17

Calamus 2009 Pinot Gris, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $16

CedarCreek 2009 Pinot Gris, East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $18

Inniskillin 2009 Pinot Grigio, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $13

Sandhill 2009 King Family Vineyard Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Church & State 2009 Pinot Gris, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Burrowing Owl 2009 Pinot Gris, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Bronze

Blasted Church 2009 Pinot Gris, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Peller Estates Niagara-on-the-Lake 2009 Private Reserve Pinot Gris, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $19

Fielding Estate 2009 Rock Pile Pinot Gris, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $26

See YA Later Ranch 2009 Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Thornhaven Estates 2009 Pinot Gris, Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $18

Huff Estates 2009 Pinot Gris, Ontario     $20

Mission Hill 2009 Five Vineyards Pinot Grigio, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $16

Hillside 2009 Un-oaked Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Red Rooster Winery 2009 Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $17

Poplar Grove 2008 Pinot Gris, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

Wild Goose Vineyards 2009 Mystic River Pinot Gris, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Mount Lehman 2009 Pinot Gris, Fraser Valley, British Columbia     $20

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

See more results from the Wine Access 2010 Canadian Wine Awards