Judges
There are subtle changes to our panel each year but for the most part the judges 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.
This year special guest judge and international wine writer Jamie Goode, will also be on hand to help us choose Canada’s top wines.
You can follow the 2014 NWAC and our judges tweets from start to finish on Twitter @WineAlign and look for the hashtag #NWAC14 .
Our Judging Process
The judging is overseen by WineAlign principal critics and partners Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason.
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 WineAlign.
Our panels consists of Canada’s top wine writers, educators and judges who taste wine from around the world and across Canada. There are no Canadian winemakers on the panel.
Each wine earning the requisite points will get a medal.
Exceptional wines. Approximately one percent of the total entries, and among those scoring 90 points or more will be awarded a Platinum medal. Gold medals = 90 – 100 points Silver medals = 88 – 89 points Bronze medals = 87 points
The 2014 Judges (in no particular order)
Anthony Gismondi
British Columbia
Co-Head Judge
WineAlign, Vancouver Sun
Follow on Twitter @TheSpitter
David Lawrason
Ontario
Co-Head Judge
WineAlign, Toronto Life, Ottawa Magazine
Follow on Twitter @DavidLawrason
Jamie Goode
United Kingdom
wineanorak.com
Follow on Twitter @JamieGoode
Find out more about Jamie here.
Bill Zacharkiw
Quebec
WineAlign, Chacun son Vin, Montreal Gazette, CHOM FM
Follow on Twitter @BillZacharkiw
Read our interview with Bill here.
John Szabo, MS
Ontario
WineAlign, City Bites
Follow on Twitter @JohnSzabo
Read our interview with John here.
Treve Ring
British Columbia
WineAlign, EAT Magazine, Sip
Follow on Twitter @Treve_Ring
Read our interview with Treve here.
DJ Kearney
British Columbia
Wine and Spirits Education Trust
Follow on Twitter @djwines
Read our interview with DJ here.
Janet Dorozynski
Ontario
WineAlign and
Global Practice Lead – Canadian Wine at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Follow on Twitter @WineTrackMind
Read our interview with Janet here.
Marc Chapleau
Montreal
WineAlign, Chacun son Vin, Cellier (SAQ) , Guide Hachette
Follow on Twitter @MarcChapleau
Read our interview with Marc here.
Rémy Charest
Quebec
WineAlign, Chacun son Vin, Palate Press, The Wine Case, CJAD 800AM
Follow on Twitter @RemyCharest
Read more about Rémy here.
Rhys Pender, MW
British Columbia
Wine Plus+
Follow on Twitter @WinePlus
Read our interview with Rhys here.
Sara d’Amato
Ontario
WineAlign
Follow on Twitter @SaradAmato
Read our interview with Sara here.
Brad Royale
Alberta
Wine Director, Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts
Follow on Twitter @BradRoyale
Read our interview with Brad here.
Nadia Fournier
Quebec
WineAlign, Chacun son Vin, Guide du Vin, L’actualité
Follow on Twitter @NadiaFournier
Read our interview with Nadia here.
Gurvinder Bhatia
Alberta
Quench, Vinomania, Global TV, Edmonton Journal
Follow on Twitter @EdmontonWineGuy
Read our interview with Gurvinder here.
Craig Pinhey
New Brunswick
Telegraph Journal, East Coast Living, TAPS Magazine, Progress
Follow on Twitter @frogspadca
Read our interview with Craig here.
Mark Davidson
British Columbia
Wine Australia
Follow on Twitter @vintageMD
Read our interview with Mark here.
Questions or comments? Contact us: [email protected]