The Wine Access International Value Wine Awards (IVWA) 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.

Our 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, importing agency, or regional group. 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.

The 2010 Judges

Anthony Gismondi

Anthony Gismondi is one of Canada’s most influential wine critics. A top-rated writer, broadcaster and speaker, his expertise is widely acknowledged throughout the international wine community. Tony has been the weekly wine columnist for the Vancouver Sun since 1989. He has spent more than a decade working with Wine Access and is currently in his fifth year as editor-in-chief. Additionally, he and Wine Access food editor Kasey Wilson co-host a popular live radio show called The Best of Food and Wine. In addition to his duties as editor-in-chief, Gismondi is competition director and head judge for both the Wine Access International Value Wine Awards and Canadian Wine Awards.

Gurvinder Bhatia

Gurvinder Bhatia left a law career to pursue his passion (some might say obsession) for wine and food.  He is the wine columnist for CBC Radio Edmonton, contributing editor for Tidings, and the owner of Vinomania wine boutique. His travels as an international wine judge are simply an excuse for him to eat and drink his way around the world.  He loves bourbon, tequila, and wines so good that the only description warranted is, "Wow!"

Website: www.vinomaniawines.com

John Szabo

John Szabo is Canada's first Master Sommelier. He is the author of WineAlign.com's Vintages Preview and is a principal critic on WineAlign.com. John is part of the Wine Access National Tasting Panel and a regular contributor to the magazine, and is Wine Editor for Toronto’s CityBites Magazine. He freelances and is heard regularly on Classical 96.3FM. The rest of his time is spent designing wine programs, teaching, judging and guest speaking around the world.

Twitter: @johnszabo

Website: www.johnszabo.com, www.winealign.com/john

Craig Pinhey

Craig Pinhey became an ISG Certified Sommelier in 2000 and is a board member of the Atlantic Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS), for which he also teaches. He writes, designs wine lists, judges wine and beer, trains restaurant service, and conducts wine and food events. Pinhey writes for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, TAPS Magazine, East Coast Living, Progress, The Coast and is CBC Radio's Friday Wine Guy.

Twitter: @frogspadca

Website: www.frogspad.ca

Blog: East Coast-It Notes: http://www.wineaccess.ca/blogs/CraigPinhey, Brublog: http://www.diningfeed.com/index.php/craig-pinhey-s-brublog/

Stuart Tobe

Stuart Tobe is a National Tasting Panel member and the Director of Tastings for Gismondionwine.com. He has a MSc. degree in Enology and Viticulture from the University of California Davis, an MBA and is a CFA. With more than 30 years of experience, he has worked as an assistant winemaker and is a Past President of the Australian Wine Appreciation Society and a council member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux chapter in Vancouver.

Rhys Pender

Rhys Pender is a wine educator, consultant, judge and freelance writer through his company Wine Plus+ and his website. In 2010, Rhys became Canada’s youngest Master of Wine (MW). In 2008, Rhys was named as one of the “Top 40 Foodies Under 40” in Western Canada by Western Living magazine. He has written for Wine Access, Montecristo, Taste Magazine, Oil & Gas Magazine, Savour Magazine, Canadian Architecture & Design, Scout Magazine and City Food.

Twitter: @wineplus

Facebook Page: Wineplus

Website: www.wineplus.ca, www.rhyspender.com

Bill Zacharkiw

Bill Zacharkiw began his wine journey at the age of 23, when he opened his own restaurant in Montreal. His blog, The Caveman’s Wine Blog, was chosen by the Wall Street Journal as one of the five most interesting wine blogs online. He is the wine writer for the Montreal Gazette, a member of the Wine Access National Tasting Panel, and is a regular contributor to the SAQ magazine, Cellier. He prefers to taste barefoot.

Twitter: @billzacharkiw

Website: http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/food-wine/index.html

Brad Royale

Overseeing nine beautiful properties throughout Alberta and British Columbia, Brad Royale is the Wine Director for Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts and for Taste restaurant. He has completed the ISG sommelier program and the WSET Diploma program. His travels include wine regions in Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Austria, Germany, California, Oregon, Chile and Japan. Brad is a regular on the judging panels for the Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards and International Value Wine Awards. 

Sid Cross

Sid Cross is the Wines Committee Chair for the International Wine & Food Society. Sid is the only Canadian inducted as a Membre d'Honneur of the L'Academie du vin de Bordeaux and to be awarded The Gourmet of the Year by The Society of Bacchus America. Sid has been promoted by the French Government from Chevalier to Officer status in the prestigious Ordre du Merite Agricole.

Twitter: @winefoodguru

Richard Harvey

Richard Harvey has been in the wine industry since 1981, with stints as sommelier, restaurant manager, and wine importers agent in Western Canada.  Since 1986, Richard has worked in private wine stores in Calgary, Alberta, founding his own store Metrovino in 1996. Richard seeks to promote wine appreciation through numerous avenues, including the International Sommelier Guild and The Cookbook Company Cooks in Calgary. Richard's wine judging  experience includes the Vancouver Playhouse and Okanagan Wine Festivals.

Gary Hewitt

Gary Hewitt is the senior buyer and instructor with Banville & Jones Wine Co. and Wine Institute, Manitoba’s largest private wine store and wine school. He holds a Master’s degree in industrial fermentations, and certifications from the International Sommelier Guild (Sommelier Instructor), the Society of Wine Educators (Certified Wine Educator) and Wine and Spirits Education Trust (Instructor). His 15 years of experience include extensive travel and a winemaking practicum in Germany with Lingenfelder.

Tom Firth

Tom Firth entered the wine business in 1996 with one of the largest private wine retailers in Canada in their fine wine department, moving to the Kensington Wine Market as a wine expert and buyer. He is the Events & Promotions Manager for Wine Access, handling logistics for the Canadian Wine Awards and the International Value Wine Awards, and a member of the National Tasting Panel. He is a frequent contributor to Calgary’s City Palate Magazine.

Twitter: @cowtownwine

David Lawrason

David Lawrason has been an independent wine writer, educator and judge since 1986. Formerly a wine columnist for the Globe and Mail and founder of Wine Access, he is currently writing for Toronto Life and Ottawa magazine and a chief judge for the Canadian Wine Awards. He reviews wines for Winealign.com and Winerytohome.com. He currently lives in Belleville astride Ontario’s newest wine region – Prince Edward County.

DJ Kearney

DJ Kearney accumulates trillions of frequent flyer miles toiling for the International Sommelier Guild throughout North America. She brings a professional culinary background, presenter and judging experience to the many students she has instructed through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and the International Sommelier Guild. DJ's credentials include a Professional Sommelier Diploma, the WSET Diploma, a black
belt and a marathon or three.

Steve Thurlow

Steve Thurlow co-founded the International Value Wine Awards with Anthony Gismondi and was IVWA Competition Director for its first 2 years. Steve is a judge at many international wine competitions such as Decanter World Wine Awards, Vinitaly and Veritas in South Africa. In 2001, Steve established his wine education business, Wine for Life which teaches
consumer, restaurant and corporate groups about wine and he is education director for IWEG that delivers education to the wine trade in Ontario.

Kevin McLean

Kevin McLean began his foray into wine by working in Napa Valley, where he learnt the business from the ground up. He’s spent the last dozen or so years living in Calgary where he is the general manager and wine buyer for J. Webb Wine Merchant. As the longtime wine columnist for Fast Forward Magazine, he also fancies himself a bit of a writer.

Jackie Cooke

Jackie Cooke entered the wine business in 1998, after exploring the wine regions of the Pacific Northwest and California. In 2002, Jackie earned her Sommelier diploma at the Dubrulle Culinary Institute. She has been a cellar worker at Tinhorn Winery, Sommelier at Mission Hill Winery and Sommelier at Bearfoot Bistro in Whistler. Jackie operates Garage Wine Mechanics, a wine consulting business and is the President of the Calgary Sommelier Society.

Ben Macphee-Sigurdson

Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson is a Winnipeg-based wine writer, educator and consultant. He writes "Uncorked," the weekly wine column for the Winnipeg Free Press, and "The Grape Nut," a wine blog on the Winnipeg Free Press website. Ben is a member of the Wine Access National Tasting Panel, and is a judge at the International Value Wine Awards and Canadian Wine Awards.

Twitter: @thegrapenut

Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/33845604.html

Blog: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/blogs/macphee/the_grape_nut.html

Ingo Absresch

Ingo Abresch is a Calgary area wine merchant and consultant. With over 17 years of experience working in the wine industry, Ingo was most recently affiliated with the Wine Cellar South as General Manager. Ingo has facilitated wine tastings and seminars for both small and large groups, and has consulted with several high end restaurants to create award winning wine lists.

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis Kolt is a BC-based wine director, judge, consultant and blogger who was awarded the Sommelier of the Year Award at the 2010 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival for his work at Vancouver's Salt Tasting Room. Currently working as Wine Director for the Naramata Heritage Inn in BC's wine country, Kolt is certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and has credit in the Winemaking program at UC Davis.

Twitter: @KurtisKolt

Website: www.CherriesandClay.com