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National Wine Awards of Canada 2021 (NWAC)
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (NWAC). It is the country’s largest and most respected competition for one hundred percent grown and produced Canadian wine. The competition, founded by co-chairs Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason in 2001, moves annually to various locations within Canadian wine country. The judging involves a select group of Canada’s leading wine writers, trade buyers and sommeliers, plus the odd international judge, who spend a week tasting some 2,000 wines and ciders.
After a one-year hiatus due to COVID 19, the 2021 judging will take place October 2 to 6 in Penticton, British Columbia.
We are excited to announce that a selection of the winning brands will be profiled in the holiday edition of Canada’s 100 Best Magazine.
Please see below for User Registration and Login instructions. We look forward to seeing your wines and ciders at the 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada.
NWAC 2019 – Backroom
The National Wine Awards of Canada is for ciders too! If you are a Canadian-based cidery that utilizes Canadian grown apples and fruit, then you can enter the National Wine Awards of Canada. We have several cider categories to ensure that your ciders are treated appropriately. And, we are bringing back the Best Cider of the Year award, which will be awarded to the highest scoring cider (not including iced ciders).
Those interested in following the judges and seeing all their reactions to the wines and ciders, and gaining greater insight into the week’s activities can follow us on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags: #NWAC21 and #NWAC2021
The National Wine Awards presents five major awards: The Canadian Winery of the Year, The Best Performing Small Winery, Icewine of the Year, Fruit Wine of the Year, and Cider of the Year. Within each of the 37 categories, wines are awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals, all topped by Platinum medals presented to the top one percent highest-scoring wines across all competition categories.
“When Canadian wineries ask me why they should enter The National Wine Awards of Canada I tell them because it’s the definitive national wine competition and the best opportunity to benchmark yourself against the most important wineries in the country. There is no hiding at The Nationals with multiple intensive rounds of blind tastings yielding the most important medals in the country. You can compete against a handful of Canadian wineries at various international tastings but when you enter The Nationals the competition is the entire Canadian wine industry, making the results the most meaningful in the country. Besides, we are Canadian.” Anthony Gismondi
Speaking of results, we have sped up the final reporting process to get the results to all participating wineries and cideries sooner allowing you to maximize your ability to market your wines and wineries throughout the busy late summer and fall season. Full results, including Canadian Winery of the Year and Best Performing Small Winery of the Year, will be published on WineAlign by the end of October.
Several years ago we instituted the first full integration of the results into the WineAlign website, in effect creating a lasting virtual medal for all winning participants, so we will post silver, gold, and platinum wine notes on WineAlign (many in both French and English), along with high-quality bottle images. The potential audience size for the results will far exceed two million.
Please see below for User Registration and Login instructions. We look forward to seeing your wines and ciders at the 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada.
Cost of Entry: $100/wine +GST (Please send at least 3 bottles (750ml))
Frequently Asked Questions
Rules for Entry
Shipping
Registration
Shipping to Ontario consolidation point ends: Tuesday, August 31st, 2021 – Ontario consolidation point is now closed
Shipping to British Columbia consolidation point ends: Friday, September 17th, 2021 – British Columbia consolidation point is now closed
Online registration ends: Friday, September 3, 2021 – registration is now closed
Wine entry fees must be paid by: Friday, September 24, 2021
Please use the menu at the top and bottom of the page to find more information about Registration, Rules for Entry, Judges, Shipping, Promoting Your Wines, Sponsors, and FAQ .
User Registration and Login Instructions
When you click on Register, you will come to this page.
If you have entered wines into the National Wine Awards of Canada in previous years you will already have an account. Please click on Login at the top of the page. You will then get the page below. Fill in your login information. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
If you have never entered wines into the National Wine Awards of Canada before then you will need to register an account. Please click on User Registration at the top of the page. You will then get the page below. Please fill in the form and follow the instructions. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Questions or comments? Contact us: [email protected]