CWA 2010: Sparkling

(25 entries, 20 medals)

With the first triumph of a bubbly from Nova Scotia, golds and silvers from three provinces, plus the largest number of entries and the highest medal ratio in the 10-year history of the CWA awards, sparkling wine is starting to hit its potential as a national signature, although it may take another decade for consumers and the rest of the world to recognize that fact. “The good ones are exceptional,” said judge Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson. Fellow judge Craig Pinhey, from New Brunswick, agreed. “That L’Acadie could pass for champagne — good champagne,” said Pinhey. Trius Brut from Niagara repeats as a gold medallist this year, at half the price of champagne.

Gold

L’Acadie Vineyards 2007 Prestige Brut, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia     $40

Hillebrand N/V Trius Brut, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $25

Silver

Konzelmann Estate N/V Méthode Cuvée Close Sparkling Riesling, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $16

Hillebrand N/V Trius Brut Rosé, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $30

Gray Monk 2007 Odyssey White Brut, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $27

Henry of Pelham N/V Cuvée Catharine Brut, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $30

Henry of Pelham N/V Cuvée, Catharine Rosé Brut, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $30

Angels Gate 2008 Archangel Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $20

Bronze

Starling Lane N/V Célébration Brut, Vancouver Island, British Columbia     $28

Peller Estates Niagara-on-the-Lake N/V Ice Cuvée Rosé, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $35

Road 13 2007 Sparkling Chenin Blanc, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

L’Acadie Vineyards 2008 Vintage Cuvée, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia     $26

Mike Weir 2007 Sparkling Brut, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $25

Flat Rock Cellars 2007 Riddled Sparkling, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $25

Flat Rock Cellars 2006 Sparkling, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario    $35

Sea Cider 2008 Pippins, Vancouver Island, British Columbia     $15

Angels Gate 2008 Archangel Pinot Noir Rosé, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $25

Summerhill Pyramid Winery 2008 Cipes Vintage Brut, East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $25

Domaine de Grand Pré N/V Ice Cuvée, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia     $35

Peller Estates Niagara-on-the-Lake N/V Ice Cuvée, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $32

Summerhill Pyramid Winery N/V Cipes Rosé Brut, Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Sumac Ridge 2006 Steller’s Jay Brut, British Columbia     $27

Sumac Ridge N/V Sparkling Rosé, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $23

L’Acadie Vineyards 2008 Organic Cider, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia     $20

Domaine de Grand Pré N/V Champlain, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia     $30

See more results from the Wine Access 2010 Canadian Wine Awards