Category: Canadian Wine Industry

British Columbia’s Wine Industry Hit Hard by Wildfires

Compounding an already challenging season, the devastating impacts of climate change are being felt throughout the Okanagan, Similkameen and Shuswap regions once again with active wildfire situations evolving throughout these regions. The wildfires not only have an impact on wine tourism but also the livelihoods of winery staff; many of whom have been evacuated themselves.

“At this time, the safety of our community is the top priority and we’re asking everyone to do their part, be mindful of the conditions, and make safe and responsible decisions. This is a challenging time for our community, impacting individuals, communities, and neighborhoods in the Central Okanagan. We extend our heartfelt thoughts to those who have experienced loss or are displaced and express our gratitude to all of the emergency responders on the frontlines for their tireless efforts to ensure the safety of those in our community.”

It is too early to know whether the wildfires will impact this vintage for select producers in the impacted regions. The study of how smoke impacts finished wine is evolving and depends on many variables and we will provide updates once the situation becomes clearer.

“With so many small businesses and wineries being affected by the fires and tourism impacts, we encourage the public to continue to support your favourite local suppliers and producers directly or via their online boutiques. Your support is crucial during this pivotal time of year and the businesses truly appreciate it.”

To support Wildfire Relief Efforts, the following charitable organizations are providing direct support to those affected:

  • The Canadian Red Cross
  • Mamas for Mamas
  • United Way
  • Central Okanagan Food Bank

Wine Growers BC will continue to provide updates on wine tourism and the smoke situation as it evolves. In the meantime, we encourage you to follow Wine Growers BC, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations, Destination BC, and Tourism Kelowna for community updates.

Source:  Wines of British Columbia

Charles Baker 2019 Riesling VQA was selected by The Institute of Masters of Wine as the benchmark Riesling for Canada

The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) recently announced that the Charles Baker 2019 Riesling VQA Vinemount Ridge was included as one of 12 blind wines in the 2022-23 Stage One MW exam. The inclusion of this wine is a recognition that highlights the exceptional quality and character of Ontario VQA Riesling but also reinforces its status as a world-class example in the global wine industry.

“My pursuit of Riesling began as a sommelier and subsequently as a cellar hand in Jordan, Ontario. When I was part of the opening team at Stratus, I was already deeply committed to exploring the various sites of the Niagara Peninsula in pursuit of capturing its various personalities,” explained Charles Baker of Charles Baker Wines.  “The Vinemount Ridge expression of this project has often been lauded as a stand-out Riesling, but to have it included as one of the first Ontario table wines at the Master of Wine exam is the ultimate honour. Expressions of Terroir include the people stewarding the land and as such, my endless thanks go to our growers, J-L Groux, Dean Stoyka and the entire team at Stratus for being part of this journey.”

“It’s truly an exciting time for Ontario’s wine industry — global recognition for the quality of Ontario VQA wine is rising rapidly — and having an Ontario VQA Riesling from the Vinemount Ridge sub-appellation included in the 2023 Masters of Wine exam as a benchmark example of Canadian Riesling reinforces the relevance of Ontario VQA Riesling on the global stage,” said Magdalena Kaiser, Director of Public Relations for the Wine Marketing Association of Ontario. “Congratulations to Charles Baker and the team at Stratus, who continue to be an integral part of Ontario’s VQA wine story.”

 

Wine and Spirits Auction “Uncorked Holiday Edition” [Les Dames d’Escoffier Ontario and Crafting for a Cure] has Concluded

We want to “Thank You” for your continued, and faithful support towards

Crafting for a Cure in delivering Craft Kits to over 100 hospitals and contributing to Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Ontario Scholarship and Student Bursary Program for 2022.

Auction by the Numbers:

7,035 page views

$10,300+ Monies Raised

287 Bids

@crafting4acureca @lesdamesontario

 

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Les Dames d’Escoffier and Crafting for a Cure Foster a Unique Fundraising Wine and Gift Basket Auction

Crafting For a Cure is pleased to introduce, “Uncorked“ a wine and gift basket silent auction taking place from June 15th to June 24th, 2021 in support of 2 critically important causes.

“We are delighted to partner with Crafting For a Cure and to contribute to the success of Uncorked,” said Liz Palmer, President, Les Dames d’Escoffier (Ontario) 

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/ontario-non-profit-partnership-fosters-a-unique-fundraising-wine-and-gift-basket-auction-890461509.html

#pressrelease #news #canadiannews #womeninwine #womeninhospitality #womeninfood #womensupportingwomen #womenledauction #wineauction #wineauctionontario 

#redwine #whitewine #wine #winetasting #winetime #winestagram #vino #instawine #winelovers #CraftingForACure #charity #makeadifference #donate #craftkits #philanthropy #inspiration #funding #donations #beinspired #giveback #notforprofit #torontoevents #torontowineevent #womenwholead @crafting4acureca @lesdamesontario

RESULTS ARE IN for the 2021 International Wines and Spirits Competition (NH)

The IWSC has just released the results of the 2021 Northern Hemisphere wines, and here are some of the winners.

This year there were 3,460 wines that were awarded medals.

Gold Medal Wines

Only 148 wines qualifying for a gold medal this year.

Fifteen of the wines were sweet wines and sixteen were fortified wines (with eight being port wines and eight were Sherries).

Canada this year received seven gold medalists in the sweet wine category. All seven were ice wines from the Niagara Peninsula, Ontario. The highest-rated wine was the Andrew Peller Estates, Niagara Peninsula VQA, 2019 Riesling, 10.5% ABV.

Greece also had two gold medalists – 2001 and the 2013 bottlings from Estate Argyros on Santorini. Other standout sweet wines included the Szent Tamás Furmint 2018 from Balassa Bor Tokaj in Hungary and the 2017 Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling from Weingut Rabl in Austria.

Sparkling Wine

There were 32 gold medalists in the sparkling wine category with France dominating this category with 14 winners. The top-ranked Champagne was the 2008 Piper Heidsieck, Brut. Right behind it was the 2008 Piper Heidsieck, Rosé Brut. Other standouts include the 2012 Chateau Palmer Brut and the 2008 Orpale Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc from Champagne de Saint Gall.

Italy had seven sparkling wine winners: Franciacorta, 2014 Brut from Lo Sparviere and, surprisingly, a 2020 Concerto Lambrusco Dry from Medici Ermete. There were four Prosecco bottlings: 2019, Duca di Dolle Societa’ Agricola, 100% Extra Dry; Tenuta di Collalbrigo, Non-Vintage, Extra Dry NV; Conte Collalto, Octavian Sui Leviticus Zero Dosage Brut Naturale and the 2020 San Salvatore Brut Millesimato Prosecco DOCG from Collalto.

UK had nine winners in the sparkling wine category, with the highest-rated British sparkler being Nyetimber, 2013 Blanc de Blanc.

Dry Still Wines

There was a total of 73 dry still wines that won gold medals. The top four countries that dominated this category were: Spain (7), France (12), Italy (28) and US (7). Together these four countries accounted for 54 of the 73 medalists.

The top-ranked French wine was the Famille Carabello-Baum, 2018 Corton Grand Cru, Pinot Noir. The top ranked Italian wine was the Lagarbiana 2016 Barolo from G.D. Vajra.

The top-ranked Spanish wine was the Vina Arnaiz, 2016 Pata Negra Reserva, Ribera Del Duero.

US Winners

Naked Wines, an online subscription wine vendor won three gold medals for its 2018 Exposed Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Petite Sirah and the 2019 Pinot Noir. Among premium wine producers, Francis Ford Coppola Winery won a gold medal for its 2017 Director’s Cut Zinfandel and the 2018 Archimedes Cabernet Sauvignon.

There are a lot more winners to explore … you can find the complete list at the IWSC’s website  https://bit.ly/3hHNRiK

#wine #instawine #winetasting #winenews #wineawards #IWSC #IWSCjudging #IWSCresults #winelovers #redwine #whitewine #sparklingwine #champagne