The Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards (CWA) is judged by some of Canada’s most respected wine experts.

The judging panel is comprised of some of Canada’s leading wine writers, journalists, sommeliers, buyers and industry professionals. The competition also seeks out new and emerging talent in the industry to be part of the panel. This blend of experience and enthusiasm, brought by judges from many regions across Canada, ensures a comprehensive view of the wine world’s most current state.

If you are as addicted to social media as we are, then keep an eye out for our judges' tweets. Follow us on Twitter @WineAccessMag and look for the #CWA2012 hashtag.

Our Judging Process:

• All competition wines are blind-tasted and judged in categories according to varietal or style, not by region, using the same 100-point system as used by Wine Access magazine.

• The competition prohibits the involvement of judges who are in any way associated with a winery or agency.We ask that our judging panel focus on translating wine character and quality to consumers.

• The judging is overseen by Wine Access editor-in-chief Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason, founder of Wine Access.

All wines are judged in categories according to varietal or style, not their province of origin. They will be further sub-grouped by vintage within the flights. All wines will be scored using the Wine Access 100-point system.

If you would like a sample of the scoring guidelines, please contact Kathy Randle.

Each wine earning the requisite points will get a medal.

Gold medals = 90 - 100 points
Silver medals = 88 - 89 points
Bronze medals = 86 - 87 points

The 2012 Judges (in no particular order)

Anthony Gismondi

British Columbia

Co-Head Judge

Editor-in-Chief, Wine Access magazine

Follow on Twitter @thespitter

David Lawrason

Ontario

Co-Head Judge

Wine Access magazine, WineAlign, Toronto Life, Ottawa Magazine

Follow on Twitter @davidlawrason

Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson

Manitoba

Wine Access magazine, Winnipeg Free Press

Follow on Twitter @bensigurdson

Bill Zacharkiw

Quebec

Wine Access magazine, Montreal Gazette, Cellier

Follow on Twitter @billzacharkiw

Craig Pinhey

New Brunswick

Wine Access magazine, CBC Radio, New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal

Follow on Twitter @frogspadca

DJ Kearney

British Columbia

Wine Access magazine, Wine and Spirits Education Trust

Follow on Twitter @djwines

Heather Rankin

Nova Scotia

Obladee Wine Bar, vaguelyvinous.wordpress.com

Follow on Twitter @curlyluddite

Janet Dorozynski

Ontario

Global Practice Lead - Canadian Wine at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

Follow on Twitter @WineTrackMind

John Szabo

Ontario

Wine Access magazine, WineAlign, City Bites

Follow on Twitter @johnszabo

Rémy Charest

Quebec

Palate Press, The Wine Case, CJAD 800AM

Follow on Twitter @remycharest

Rhys Pender

British Columbia

Wine Access magazine, Wine Plus+

Follow on Twitter @wineplus

Rick VanSickle

Ontario

Wine Access magazine, Wines in Niagara

Follow on Twitter @rickwine

Sid Cross

British Columbia

Committee Chair for IWFS - London, England

Follow on Twitter @winefoodguru

Stuart Tobe

British Columbia

Wine Access magazine, GismondiOnWine.com

Follow on Twitter @nostrildamage

Tom Firth

Alberta

Wine Access magazine, City Palate

Follow on Twitter @cowtownwine

Treve Ring

British Columbia

EAT Magazine, Sip

Follow on Twitter @treve_ring