Top Canadian White Blends

(61 entries, 41 medals)

The number of entries climbed this year and the medal ratio was strong, although without any golds surfacing, relatively few silvers, and then a huge number of bronze medallists. “Nothing really stood out,” said Craig Pinhey. The results reflect the reality out there; blends have blossomed over the past two years, as winemakers, east and west, strive to make more affordable wines marketed to a younger audience less concerned about varietal character. Many entries were under $20, and, in this range, one expects wines that are balanced and fresh, if lacking depth, complexity and excitement. There were a few more expensive and intriguing blends in the mix, which perhaps should have rated higher; we penalized several wines for excessive sulphur.

White Blend CWA Silver Medal Results

JoieFarm 2010 A Noble Blend, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $24 

Calamus 2009 Cosmic White, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $15

Jost 2010 Habitant Blanc, Nova Scotia $10

Desert Hills 2010 Cactus Series White, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $17 

Wild Goose 2010 Autumn Gold, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $19

Pentâge 2010 Roussanne-Marsanne-Viognier Blend, Skaha Bench, British Columbia,Okanagan Valley $35

Hillebrand 2010 Trius White, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $20

Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2009 Gold Series White Meritage, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $25

White Blend CWA Bronze Medal Results

Laughing Stock 2010 Blind Trust White, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $25

Jost 2010 L'Acadie Pinot Grigio, Nova Scotia $13

Rosehall Run 2010 Sullyzwicker White, Prince Edward County, Ontario $15

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2008 Proprietors' Grand Reserve White Meritage, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $20

Hidden Bench 2009 Rosomel Vineyard Nuit Blanche, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $40

Inniskillin Niagara 2010 Winemaker’s Series Select Vineyards P-3, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $18

3 Cru 2010 Nomad, Westbank South, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $18

Strewn 2010 Terroir Riesling-Gewürztraminer, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $17

Tawse 2010 Members Select Wine Club White, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $30

Jost 2008 Avondale Riesling Gold, Nova Scotia $10

Fielding 2010 Fireside White Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $16

Blasted Church 2010 Hatfield's Fuse, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $18

Mission Hill 2008 Select Lot Collection Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $25

Domaine de Grand Pré 2010 Tidal Bay, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia $23

Henry Of Pelham 2009 Family Tree White, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $18

Arrowleaf 2010 First Crush White, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $15

Church & State 2010 TreBella, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $25

Ovino 2010 Pinot Tramino, Salmon Arm, British Columbia $15

Red Rooster 2010 Bantam, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $14

Intrigue 2010 Ten, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $15

See Ya Later Ranch 2010 Pinot 3, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $20

Moon Curser 2010 Afraid of the Dark, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $22

Hester Creek 2010 Character White, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $20

Lake Breeze 2010 Bench White, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $16

Pelee Island 2010 Blanc de Blanc, Pelee Island, Ontario $10

Blomidon 2010 Tidal Bay, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia $20

Noble Ridge 2010 Mingle, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $18

Pelee Island 2009 Lighthouse Riesling, Pelee Island, Ontario $12

Coyote’s Run 2010 Five Mile, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $14

Inniskillin Okanagan 2009 Discovery Series Marsanne Roussanne, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $20

Kalala 2008 Cuvée Blanc, Westbank South, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $12

GreenLane 2010 Pinot Gris-Riesling, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $17

Creekside 2009 Laura's White, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $19