(40 entries, 29 medals)

There was a significant 25-percent increase in the number of entries this year, with an impressive medal ratio — but no golds this time. The increase in entries likely comes from Ontario, where this cool-climate-friendly variety is taking off, but both B.C. and Ontario took home medals — consistent with 2010, which may indicate a new national varietal is emerging. But the judges were not that impressed; four gave lukewarm comments like “serviceable, with Bordeaux styles (oaked) standing out” from Toronto's Tony Aspler. And “a little homogenous, would like more personality” from Nova Scotia’s Mark DeWolf. And, finally, “so dull!” from Montreal’s Bill Zacharkiw.

Sauvignon Blanc CWA Silver Medal Results

Peller Estates Niagara-on-the-Lake 2010 Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $30

Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2009 Gold Series Fumé Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $24

Sauvignon Blanc CWA Bronze Medal Results

Pentâge 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $20

Creekside 2009 Reserve Creekside Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $27

The Organized Crime 2009 Fumé Blanc, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $28

La Frenz 2010 Rattlesnake Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $22

Henry Of Pelham 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $15

Vineland 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $17

Peller Estates Niagara-on-the-Lake 2010 Family Series Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $11

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2009 Silver Series Sauvignon Blanc, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $19

Cassini 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $19

Hillebrand 2010 Trius Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $14

Mission Hill 2010 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $19

Sandhill 2010 Sandhill Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $19

Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2010 Black Series Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $14

Mike Weir 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $15 

Neck Of The Woods 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $18

Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2010 Silver Series Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $18

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2010 Black Series Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $14

Tawse 2010 Lincoln Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $25

Clos du Soleil 2009 Capella, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia $27

Stag's Hollow 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $20

Mission Hill 2010 Five Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia $14

Lake Breeze 2010 Seven Poplars Sauvignon Blanc, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada $22

Colaneri 2010 Fumoso Bianco Appassimento-Style Sauvignon Blanc, St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $25

Stonechurch 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $13

De Sousa 2010 Seasons Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $14

Stoney Ridge 2009 Excellence Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $30

Tawse 2010 Members Select Sauvignon Blanc, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $25

New Zealand is a small producer that punches well above its weight in terms of its international profile. It’s best known for sauvignon blanc (particularly from the Marlborough region), which burst onto international markets in the 1990s. Sauvignon blanc still sells strongly and accounts for three-quarters of the country’s wine exports. Although Marlborough “savvy” continues to be the main thrust of production and exports, other regions and grape varieties are making steady progress. 

New Zealand pinot noir has gained a lot of attention, especially pinot from Central Otago, the world’s most-southerly wine region, and from Martinborough, in the North Island. Merlot is an up-and-coming variety in the Hawke’s Bay region on the east coast of the North Island (especially in the Gimblett Gravels sub-region), while Gisborne, a little further north, is developing a reputation for chardonnay and pinot grigio. Bordeaux-style reds are produced around Auckland, especially on Waiheke Island.

As this suggests, New Zealand’s wineries are sorting out regions and grape varieties. Although most regions are climatically varied enough to support a range of varieties, there’s now a stress on regionality. This is the main direction of change, shown by the delineation of various sub-regions within Marlborough.

The New Zealand wine industry is stressing sustainable practices more than most. It has to counter the "buy local" argument that shipping wine around the world has an adverse environmental impact. Drawing on New Zealand’s image as a clean, green country, the industry stresses that sustainable and low-impact practices in the vineyard and winery can outweigh the effects of long-distance transportation.

Prominent Wine Regions in New Zealand

Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay, Central Otago.

Varietals/Styles on the Rise in New Zealand

Pinot noir, merlot, pinot grigio.

Classic Wine Producers in New Zealand

Cloudy Bay: A Marlborough winery that produced New Zealand’s first international sauvignon star and continues to make notable wines, especially the oak-aged sauvignon, Te Koko.

Brancott Estate (formerly Montana): New Zealand’s largest wine company has vineyards in several regions and produces wines at all tiers, from entry level to single-vineyard.

Matua Valley: Based north of Auckland, it was the first to plant sauvignon blanc in New Zealand and now makes high-quality wines from grapes grown in several regions.

Up-and-Coming Wine Producers in New Zealand

Seresin: This Marlborough winery is making waves with its stylish and complex sauvignons.

Craggy Range: Located in Hawke’s Bay, this winery is gaining a reputation for its Bordeaux blends and syrahs.

Mt. Difficulty: An impressive Central Otago winery that’s producing fine single-vineyard pinot noir.

Check out more than 400 reviews of wines from New Zealand.

(28 entries, 18 medals)

The number of entries was down a bit, but the medal ratio is much better than last year, and the east-west split among the medallists is almost even. The judges were enthusiastic here and there, especially over the gold-medal, barrel-fermented, sauvignon sémillon Hidden Bench Nuit Blanche that Sid Cross called “sensational and classy, like a top Pessac-Leognan white from Bordeaux.” Several judges commented on a lack of stylistic direction and varietal definition in the category as a whole. “They have varietal expression,” said judge Stuart Tobe. “But most lack a juiciness and fullness of flavour, so they are drinkable, but boring.”

Gold

Hidden Bench 2008 Rosomel Vineyard Nuit Blanche, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario    $45

Silver

Strewn Winery 2009 Terroir Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $17

Peller Estates Niagara-on-the-Lake 2009 Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $30

Black Hills Estate 2009 Alibi, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $30

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2009 Proprietors’ Edition Sauvignon Blanc, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia    $11

Bronze

Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2009 Proprietors’ Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $14

Stag’s Hollow Winery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Osoyoos, Okanagan |Valley, British Columbia     $19

Lakeview Cellars 2009 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $18

Lake Breeze 2009 Seven Poplars Sauvignon Blanc, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $22

Mission Hill 2009 Five Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $14

Mission Hill 2009 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Peller Estates Niagara-on-the-Lake 2009 Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $19

Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2008 Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Hillebrand 2009 Trius Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $14

Nyarai Cellars 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario     $19

Mission Hill 2008 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $19

Artisan Wine Co. 2009 Rigamarole Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $15

Church & State 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia     $20

See more results from the Wine Access 2010 Canadian Wine Awards

The growing popularity of sauvignon blanc has resulted in an increased number of regions producing wines and an increase in competition entries. Similar to last year, many of the top wines, including the overall champion, were from New Zealand, with Chile making the second-best showing. The better wines were varietally correct and vibrant, with gooseberry, lime, grapefruit, tropical notes, minerality, texture and a touch of elegance. While some of the fruitier wines would benefit from age, sauvignon blancs in general should be drunk fresh. This is a good, serviceable varietal, both as a refreshing aperitif or for matching with food. (Sid Cross)

Category Champion

90 Jackson Estate 2009 Stich Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

Judges’ Choice

89 Giesen 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $16-$18

89 Sileni Estates 2009 Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $16-$22

89 Cono Sur 2009 Organic Sauvignon Blanc, Valle de San Antonio, Chile $13-$17

88 Babich 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $19-$22

88 Hillebrand 2009 Trius Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada $13-$15

88 Spy Valley 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $19-$23

88 Wither Hills 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $18-$22

88 Yealands Estate 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $17-$23

88 Miguel Torres 2009 Santa Digna Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, Chile $16-$18

88 Cecchetti 2009 Line 39 Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County, California, United States $11-$13

88 Vina Maipo 2009 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile $11-$14

87 Babich 2009 Black Label Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $22-$25

87 Baron Philippe de Rothschild 2009 Mouton Cadet White, Bordeaux, France $12-$15

87 Casas del Bosque 2009 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Chile $16-$20

87 San Pedro 2009 35° South Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, Region del Valle Central, Chile $12-$14

87 Caliterra 2010 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Chile $10-$14

87 Villa Maria 2009 Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand $16-$21

87 [yellow tail] N/V Sauvignon Blanc, South Eastern Australia $11-$14

87 EastDell 2009 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada $16-$18

87 San Pedro 2008 Gato Negro Sauvignon Blanc, Region del Valle Central, Chile $9-$11

87 Errazuriz 2009 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, Chile $11-$14

87 KWV 2010 Golden Kaan Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa $10-$15

87 Mission Hill 2008 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada $19-$25

87 Mount Fishtail 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $14-$16

87 Mount Riley 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $19-$22

87 Robertson Winery 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Robertson, Breede River Valley, South Africa $10-$14

87 Twin Islands 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, South Island, New Zealand $17-$22

87 Undurraga 2008 T.H. Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley, Region de Aconcagua, Chile $18-$23

More results from the Wine Access 2010 International Value Wine Awards