Chacun Son Vin - Awards - 2022 NWAC Sauvignon Blanc

Results of the 2022 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (The Nationals)

Sauvignon Blanc

Category Overview by judge Janet Dorozynski DipWSET

While sauvignon blanc is not widely planted in Canada and susceptible to our cold winter temperatures, a number of wineries do plant the variety to make both single varietal wines and as part of a blend with Semillon or other aromatic white varieties. Stylistically Canadian sauvignon blanc is neither New Zealand nor Sancerre though leans toward the latter if anything. In terms of quality, if I had to had to pick a “most improved” category since I’ve been judging at the Nationals it would be sauvignon blanc. Gone is the trepidation upon hearing flights of sauvignon blanc were on the way, but rather enjoyment and excitement from a new wave and crop of wines from east and west.

(Jump straight to the medal winners.)

The medal winners are almost equally split between Ontario and British Columbia with Ontario having a slight majority. The winners are a mix of tried and true names along with wineries that are lesser known for the variety. The complexity and superiority of this year’s gold medal wines, two from Ontario and one from British Columbia, serve as a testament of good quality fruit and delft handling in the winery, whether that be through lees contact, whole bunch pressing or indigenous yeast fermentation. The Trius Showcase Wild Ferment has made several past high scoring appearances at past Nationals, which I believe illustrates that there is something special about the warmer sites and sub-appellations of Niagara-on-the-Lake, along with other pockets throughout the Niagara Peninsula and the Naramata Bench sub-GI of the Okanagan Valley.

And the winners are…

Mayhem 2021 Small Lot Sauvignon Blanc, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Peller Estates Niagara 2020 Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Trius 2020 Showcase Sauvignon Blanc Wild Ferment, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Burrowing Owl 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, British Columbia
CedarCreek Platinum 2021 Border Vista Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Chaberton 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, British Columbia
Creekside 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Divergence Wines 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Hughes Vineyard, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Hidden Bench 2020 Fumé Blanc Rosomel Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
La Frenz 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Wits End Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mission Hill 2021 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Peller Estates Niagara 2021 Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2020 Grower’s Blend Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tightrope 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Thomas Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Trius 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Wayne Gretzky 2021 Founders Series Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Wild Goose 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia