Results of the 2018 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (The Nationals)
Gamay
Category Overview by Judge and Panel Leader Treve Ring
#GoGamayGo. This humble hashtag, coined years ago by our own Dr. Janet Dorozynski, has united gamay fans globally, and become a rallying collective for a misunderstood red grape. Gamay isn’t geeky anymore, long-shackled to the marketing mechanics of Beaujolais Nouveau. This characterful light red is now one of the cool kids, grown confidently from Beaujolais to BC, Niagara to New Zealand, Stellenbosch to Saumur, and California to Chile (and beyond).
In the wake of big, dark, richer reds, gamay’s appeal comes via its fresh acidity, fragrant fruitiness, fine tannins and lissom structure. Its full name, Gamay Noir à jus Blanc, reflects that its skin is black, its juice is white, but the wine produced is a light bodied red.
Gamay has emerged as one of Canada’s top red grapes, worthy of championing. From effortlessly smashable, chillable reds to structural, ageworthy, Cru-carved wines, gamay suits a range of tastes and terroirs. This year’s gold medal winning wines covered grounds in Niagara Peninsula, Similkameen, and Beamsville Bench, with the silvers near equally split between BC and Ontario. A strong showing across the board, and more evidence that you should #GoGamayGo.
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Malivoire 2017 Gamay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Malivoire 2017 Small Lot Gamay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Orofino 2017 Gamay, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Chaberton 2017 Gamay Noir, Fraser Valley, British Columbia
Château des Charmes 2016 Gamay Noir, Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Heaven’s Gate 2015 Gamay Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Hillside 2015 Gamay Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
JoieFarm 2016 Gamay Deep Roots Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Malivoire 2016 Courtney Gamay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Peller Estates Niagara 2016 Private Reserve Gamay Noir, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Rust Wine Co. 2017 Gamay, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Tawse 2016 Gamay Noir Cherry Avenue, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Vieni 2016 Gamay Noir, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
13th Street 2016 Gamay Whitty Vineyard, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Deep Roots 2017 Gamay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Fielding 2017 Gamay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2015 Gamay Noir Redfoot Vineyard, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
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