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2021 Judges

Our judging panels comprise many of Canada’s leading wine writers, journalists, sommeliers, buyers and industry professionals. Each year we also seek out young, emerging talent in the industry to be part of the judging process and further their education in Canadian wine and the art of judging. The blend of experience and enthusiasm, brought by judges from many regions across the country, ensures a comprehensive view of the Canadian wine world for that moment in time. 

You can follow the 2021 NWAC and our judges’ tweets from start to finish on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #NWAC21 and #NWAC2021.

Our Judging Process 

The judging is overseen by co-chairs Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason, experience Canadian wine journalists and judges, who co-founded the Awards in 2001 while working jointly at Wine Access magazine. They have also held that the Awards are the most objective way to inform both consumers and the industry of Canadian wine’s yearly progress. 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 at WineAlign. Approximately one percent of the total entries boasting the highest scores awarded highly coveted Platinum medals.

Gold medals = 91+ points, Silver medals = 90 – 89 points, Bronze medals = 88 – 87 points

The 2021 Judges (in alphabetical order)

Co-Head Judges Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason

Anthony Gismondi
British Columbia
Co-Head Judge
WineAlign, Vancouver Sun, Gismondi on Wine
Follow on Twitter @TheSpitter
Follow on Instagram @anthony.gismondi
(bio)

David Lawrason
Ontario
Co-Head Judge
WineAlign, Toronto Life, Ottawa Magazine
Follow on Twitter @DavidLawrason
Follow on Instagram @davidlawrason
(bio)

Jacky Blisson, MW
Quebec
Freelance writer, speaker, wine educator, www.jackyblisson.com
Follow on Twitter @jackyblisson
Follow on Instagram @jackyblisson
(bio)

Jenny Book
Alberta
Educator – WSET Global, Fine Vintage
Follow on Instagram @jenn.e.book
(bio)

Michelle Bouffard
Quebec
Curieux Bégin, Tasting Climate Change Symposium, Véro, Meininger’s, Quench, Author (Dis-moi qui tu es, je te dirai quoi boire)
Follow on Twitter @michellebwine
Follow on Instagram @michellebouffard
(bio)

Sara d’Amato
Ontario
WineAlign, Fine Vintage Ltd (instructor), Wine Thieves
Follow on Twitter @SaradAmato
Follow on Instagram @saradamatokilley
(bio)

Dr. Janet Dorozynski, PhD
Ontario
WineAlign, Luxe Magazine Ottawa, Gismondi on Wine, Oxford Companion to Wine, WineAnorak.com
Follow on Twitter @WineTrackMind
Follow on Instagram @winetrackmind
(bio)

Tom Firth
Alberta
WineAlign, Culinaire Magazine, Alberta Beverage Awards 
Follow on Twitter @cowtownwine 
(bio)

Nadia Fournier
Quebec
WineAlign, Guide du Vin, L’actualité
Follow on Twitter @NadiaFournier
Follow on Instagram @nadia_fournier
(bio)

Michael Godel
Ontario
WineAlign, godello.com, Barque Smokehouse, Canadian Ambassador to Chianti Classico, educator
Follow on Twitter @mgodello
Follow on Instagram @mgodello
(bio)

Dr. Jamie Goode, PhD
United Kingdom
Author (The Science of Wine, Authentic Red, I Taste Red, Flawless), The Sunday Express, WineAnorak
Follow on Twitter @JamieGoode
Follow on Instagram @drjamiegoode
(bio)

Christina Hartigan
British Columbia
Sommelier and Wine Director
Follow on Instagram @christinahartigan
(bio)

DJ Kearney
British Columbia
Wine and Spirits Education Trust, New District
Follow on Twitter @djwines
Follow on Instagram @djwines
(bio)

Sébastien Le Goff
British Columbia
Cactus Restaurants
(bio)

Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson
Manitoba
Winnipeg Free Press
(bio)

Bryant Mao
British Columbia
Hawksworth Restaurant Group
(bio)

Sharon McLean
British Columbia
Cru Consultancy, Vessel Liquor Store, judge, writer, educator
Follow on Twitter @urban_vines
Follow on Instagram @sharon_a_mc
(bio)

Michaela Morris
British Columbia
Decanter, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Quench, Vintec Club and Taste magazine
Follow on Instagram @michaelawine
(bio)

Geoffrey Moss, MW
British Columbia
Lithica Wine Marketing, Gismondi on Wine, WineAnorak, Purple Pages, Palate Press
Follow on Twitter @geoffreybmoss
Follow on Instagram @geoffreybmoss
(bio)

Brent Muller
British Columbia
Vessel Liquor
(bio)

Rhys Pender, MW
British Columbia
Wine Plus+, Little Farm Winery
Follow on Twitter @WinePlus
Follow on Instagram @rhyspendermw
(bio)

Treve Ring
British Columbia
WineAlign, Gismondi On Wine, WineAnorak, Cru Consultancy, World of Fine Wine, Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast
Follow on Twitter @Treve_Ring
Follow on Instagram @trevering
(bio)

Brad Royale
Alberta
The Glencoe Club, The Forks, Panorama Mountain Resort, Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts, Hotel Grand Pacific
Follow on Twitter @BradRoyale
Follow on Instagram @bradroyale
(bio)

John Szabo, MS
Ontario
WineAlign, Modalina, MarQuee, CellArt, Wine Thieves, Author (Volcanic Wines, Salt, Grit and Power), www.johnszabo.com
Follow on Twitter @JohnSzabo
Follow on Instagram @johnszaboms
(bio)

Apprentice Judges

Shanyn Ward
British Columbia
Metro Liquor
(bio)

Matt Wentzell
British Columbia
Experience Wine Tours, Vice & Virtue Brewing Co.
Follow on Instagram @wineguywentz
(bio)

Questions or comments?  Contact us:  [email protected]

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