Results of the 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada
The 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada (the 20th Anniversary of these awards) wrapped up in October in Penticton, British Columbia, fittingly judging a record-setting number of wines from coast to coast. Founded by Canadian wine nuts David Lawrason and Anthony Gismondi, it’s been an amazing two-decade journey for the most respected and important Canadian wine competition. The week-long tasting is but a snapshot of Canadian wine, yet like old family photos, much has changed over two decades.
The inaugural competition in 2001 drew 528 wines from 71 wineries, judged by eight men. In 2021, 26 judges — 14 men and 12 women tasted 2,075 entries from more than 260 wineries. Canadian wine is indeed gathering acclaim internationally, but The Nationals is the most important peer competition local wineries can enter. With nearly every producer of note in the country competing, making it to the top ten of any category list is special. Getting on the annual list of the Top 25 Wineries in Canada is one of the most sought accolades in the business.
The entries came from eight provinces. British Columbia had the highest representation with 148 wineries entered, Ontario came second with 79, followed by wineries from Quebec, Nova Scotia, Alberta, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
The wines were all served blind (producer, origin, and price were not revealed) but identified and organized into flights by grape variety or style. The top medalists were tasted in multiple rounds by many different judges. The judges only tasted a limited quantity of wines each day so their palates could stay fresh and focused, and the wines were served in high-quality Riedel glasses at just the right temperature. All this was to ensure that each wine was treated with the respect it deserves.
Anyone can drink wine and pronounce it good, bad or indifferent. And they would not be right or wrong, but that is subjective stuff. Sifting through 90+ wines per day using objective filters that look at balance, complexity and depth is quite a different matter. And when judging within flights or categories where the overall character is much the same, distinguishing the nuances is even more exacting.
We want to thank the judges for bringing their talent, skill and passion to the process. We know there is nowhere they would rather be that week, but it is still a formidable task that requires endurance and concentration. It also requires a wealth of tasting experience accumulated over years of tasting wines from around the globe that informs virtually every decision they make. You don’t just walk into the job, although many ask if they can.
Co-Head Judges Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason
In addition to the individual medal winners, we have also awarded Winery of the Year, Best Performing Small Winery, Top 25 Wineries in Canada, Top 10 Ontario wineries, Top 10 BC wineries, and Top 10 Small Wineries.
Click on the medals below to review the list of medal winning wines.
You can also review the Medal Winners by Category presented in alphabetical order (see below). Each medal winning wine is linked to its individual page on WineAlign. Platinum, Gold and Silver wines will also have reviews from individual judges.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Cider & Ice Cider
Gamay
Icewine & Late Harvest
Mead, Fruit Wine & Fortified
Merlot
Orange Wines (extended skin contact)
Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
Pinot Noir
Red Blends
Red Single Varieties – Others
Riesling
Rosé
Sauvignon Blanc
Sparkling
Syrah/Shiraz
White Single Varieties – Others
White Blends including Tidal Bay
Judges of the 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada
