Judges
There are subtle changes to our panel each year but for the most part the judges are 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.
Dr. Jamie Goode
This year, for the second year in a row, we are pleased to announce that acclaimed UK wine journalist Dr. Jamie Goode will be joining our panel of judges in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
You can follow the 2015 NWAC and our judges’ tweets from start to finish on Twitter @WineAlign and look for the hashtag #NWAC15 .
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.
Each wine earning the requisite points will get a medal.
Wines with the top scores in the entire awards will be awarded a Platinum medal (approximately 1% of the total entries). Gold medals = 90 – 100 points Silver medals = 88 – 89 points Bronze medals = 87 points
The 2015 Judges (in no particular order)
Co-head Judges Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason
Anthony Gismondi
British Columbia
Co-Chief Judge
WineAlign, Vancouver Sun
Follow on Twitter @TheSpitter
David Lawrason
Ontario
Co-Chief Judge
WineAlign, Toronto Life, Ottawa Magazine
Follow on Twitter @DavidLawrason
Dr. Jamie Goode
United Kingdom
Author, The Sunday Express, wineanorak.com
Follow on Twitter @JamieGoode
Bill Zacharkiw
Quebec
WineAlign, Chacun son Vin, Montreal Gazette, CHOM FM
Follow on Twitter @BillZacharkiw
John Szabo, MS
Ontario
WineAlign, City Bites
Follow on Twitter @JohnSzabo
Treve Ring
British Columbia
WineAlign, EAT Magazine, Sip
Follow on Twitter @Treve_Ring
DJ Kearney
British Columbia
Wine and Spirits Education Trust, Vancouver Magazine
Follow on Twitter @djwines
Janet Dorozynski
Ontario
WineAlign and
Global Practice Lead – Canadian Wine at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Follow on Twitter @WineTrackMind
Brad Royale
Alberta
Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts
Follow on Twitter @BradRoyale
Rémy Charest
Quebec
WineAlign, Chacun son Vin, Palate Press, The Wine Case, CJAD 800AM
Follow on Twitter @RemyCharest
Rhys Pender, MW
British Columbia
Wine Plus+
Follow on Twitter @WinePlus
Sara d’Amato
Ontario
WineAlign, Chatelaine
Follow on Twitter @SaradAmato
Nadia Fournier
Quebec
WineAlign, Chacun son Vin, Guide du Vin, L’actualité
Follow on Twitter @NadiaFournier
Craig Pinhey
New Brunswick
Telegraph Journal, East Coast Living, TAPS Magazine, Progress
Follow on Twitter @frogspadca
Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson
Manitoba
Winnipeg Free Press
Follow on Twitter @bensigurdson
Michelle Bouffard
British Columbia
Certified sommelier, AIWS, Housewine, CAPS-BC President
Follow on Twitter @housewine_girls
Heather Rankin
Nova Scotia
Co-owner of Obladee wine bar, Sommelier
Follow on Twitter @curlyluddite
Michael Godel
Ontario
WineAlign, 0.canada.com, godello.com, Wine Director at Barque Smokehouse
Follow on Twitter @mgodello
Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson
Manitoba
Winnipeg Free Press
Follow on Twitter @bensigurdson
Questions or comments? Contact us: [email protected]