Results of the 2022 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (The Nationals)
Chardonnay
Category Overview by judge Treve Ring
On the first morning of judging this year, I had two Chardonnay flights, and in both the panel and I awarded Gold medal scores. It’s indicative of the strength of the category, proven by an outstanding four Platinum Medals this year (split between Ontario and BC), and a treasure chest full of Gold and Silver awards.
(Jump straight to the medal winners.)
When asked what is Canada’s signature grape, Chardonnay is a quick answer from me. From coast to coast, the grape can sing, be it off the vibrato of limestone, or the powerful grip of glacial deposited stones. The world’s most famous and transplanted grape is particularly suited to Canada’s cool climate, able to withstand both desert conditions in the South Okanagan, and deeply frozen winters, like Prince Edward County.
The 2019 and 2020 vintages dominating the categories were both strong for the grape, with a near 50/50 draw between the main growing provinces of British Columbia and Ontario on the podium. It’s no surprise that the annual International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4c) in Niagara is now one of the must-hit wine events on the international circuit, drawing widespread attention and sell-out crowds.
Canadian Chardonnay’s high quality and consistency is rewarding, and as evidenced by this year’s results, highly awarded.
50th Parallel 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Broken Stone 2019 Chardonnay Home Farm, Ontario
CedarCreek 2019 Aspect Collection Block 5 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Le Clos Jordanne 2019 Le Grand Clos Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
2027 Cellars 2019 The Project Chardonnay Wismer Vineyard FoxCroft Block, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Arrowleaf 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Bartier Bros. 2021 Chardonnay Cerqueira Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Black Hills Estate Winery 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
CedarCreek Platinum 2020 Jagged Rock Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Closson Chase 2019 The Brock Chardonnay, Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Dark Horse 2020 Chardonnay, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Hidden Bench 2020 Chardonnay Unfiltered, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Lunessence 2019 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Magnotta 2020 Chardonnay Limited Edition, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Meyer 2020 Tribute Series Chardonnay Old Main Rd Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mission Hill 2020 Perpetua Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Monte Creek 2020 Living Land Chardonnay, British Columbia
Niagara College Teaching Winery 2020 Les Marmitons Chardonnay, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Nk’Mip Cellars 2019 Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Nk’Mip Cellars 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Peller Estates Niagara 2020 Andrew Peller Signature Series Sur Lie Chardonnay, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Quails’ Gate 2019 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2020 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Rosehall Run 2020 St Cindy Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
SpearHead 2020 Saddle Block Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tawse 2019 Chardonnay Quarry Road Vineyard, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2019 Estate Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Three Sisters 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tinhorn Creek 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Two Sisters 2019 Chardonnay Domenica’s Block, Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Two Sisters 2019 Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Upper Bench 2019 Estate Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Vieni 2019 Unoaked Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Westcott 2020 Estate Chardonnay, Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
13th Street 2020 Chardonnay L. Viscek Vineyard, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
2027 Cellars 2020 Grimsby Hillside Vineyard Chardonnay, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Adamo 2020 Chardonnay, Ontario
Big Head Wines 2020 Chardonnay Select, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Broken Stone 2020 County Grown Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
CedarCreek 2020 Estate Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Chaberton 2019 Barrel Aged Chardonnay, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Corcelettes 2020 Chardonnay Micro Lot Series, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Covert Farms 2020 Grand Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Creekside 2019 Unoaked Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
CREW 2019 Flagship Chardonnay, Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario
Culmina 2018 Dilemma Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Fielding 2020 Estate Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Fitzpatrick 2020 The Big Leap Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Flat Rock Cellars 2020 Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Flat Rock Cellars 2020 The Rusty Shed Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Foxtrot 2020 Chardonnay, British Columbia
Gray Monk 2021 Chardonnay Unwooded, British Columbia
Henry of Pelham 2020 Estate Chardonnay, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Hidden Bench 2019 Chardonnay Felseck Vineyard Unfiltered, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Honsberger 2020 Chardonnay Schuele Vineyards, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2019 Grand Reserve Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Kitsch 2019 7 Barrel Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Le Clos Jordanne 2019 Jordan Village Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Leaning Post 2019 Chardonnay Wismer-Foxcroft Vineyard, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Lightfoot & Wolfville 2018 Ancienne Chardonnay Wild Fermented, Nova Scotia
Liquidity 2020 Estate Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Malivoire 2020 Mottiar Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Maverick 2020 Cross Road Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
McWatters Collection 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Meyer 2020 Micro Cuvee Chardonnay Old Main Rd, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mission Hill 2020 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Monte Creek 2020 Ancient Waters Chardonnay, British Columbia
Moraine 2020 Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Morandin Wines 2020 County Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Nk’Mip Cellars 2020 Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Noble Ridge 2019 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Organized Crime 2020 Sacred Series Cuvée Krystyna Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
O’Rourke Family Estate 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Painted Rock 2020 Chardonnay, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2019 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2019 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Queenston Mile 2020 Chardonnay, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Ravine Vineyard 2019 Ravine Chardonnay, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Red Rooster 2020 Sur Lie Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Rivière du Chêne 2021 La Cantina Vallée d’Oka Chardonnay, Quebec
Rockway Vineyards 2020 Small Lot Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
SpearHead 2019 Chardonnay Clone 95, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Stratus 2020 Chardonnay Unfiltered & Bottled with Lees, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2019 Chardonnay Robyn’s Block, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2020 Sketches Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tawse 2020 Unoaked Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tightrope 2020 Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tinhorn Creek 2020 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Two Sisters 2019 Stone Eagle Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Unsworth Vineyards 2020 Chardonnay, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Vignoble de l’Orpailleur 2020 l’Orpailleur Cuvée Signature Chardonnay, Quebec
13th Street 2020 Chardonnay June’s Vineyard, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
16 Mile Cellar 2019 Rebel Chardonnay, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
20 Bees NV Unoaked Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
2027 Cellars 2019 Falls Vineyard Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
2027 Cellars 2019 Wismer Vineyard FoxCroft Block Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
2027 Cellars 2020 Wismer FoxCroft Vineyard Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Adamo 2021 Sogno Unoaked Chardonnay Lore Vineyard, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Big Head Wines 2020 Old Vines Chardonnay Smith Vineyard, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Calamus 2021 Barrel Kissed Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Chronos 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Colio 2020 Reserve Chardonnay, Ontario
Country Vines 2019 Reserve Chardonnay, British Columbia
Crowsnest 2021 Stahltank Chardonnay, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Deep Roots 2021 Unoaked Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Domaine Queylus 2020 Chardonnay La Grande Réserve, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Fort Berens 2020 Chardonnay, British Columbia
Fort Berens 2020 White Gold Reserve, Lillooet, British Columbia
Foxly 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
G.Marquis 2019 Chardonnay The Silver Line Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Good Natured 2021 Crisp Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Hainle 2020 Oaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Huff Estates 2020 Catharine’s South Bay Chardonnay, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Inniskillin Niagara 2020 Reserve Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Kitsch 2021 Unoaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Konzelmann 2020 Chardonnay – Family Reserve, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Konzelmann 2020 Chardonnay Barrel Aged Reserve Series, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Konzelmann 2020 Chardonnay Unoaked Lakefront Series, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Laughing Stock 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Le Mas des Patriotes 2021 Le Clos de France, Quebec
Leaning Post 2020 Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Malivoire 2019 Moira Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Marynissen 2020 Platinum Series Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Meyer 2020 Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Meyer 2020 Dekleva Clone Chardonnay Anarchist Mountain Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mt. Boucherie 2020 Original Vines Chardonnay, British Columbia
Mt. Boucherie 2020 Reserve Chardonnay, British Columbia
Pelee Island 2019 Chardonnay The Ring-Necked Pheasant, Ontario
Ravine Vineyard 2019 Reserve Chardonnay, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Redstone 2020 Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Seven Stones 2016 Chardonnay Speaking Rock, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Terralux 2020 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Trius 2020 Showcase Wild Ferment Chardonnay, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Vieni 2019 Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Volcanic Hills 2017 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Westcott 2020 Reserve Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
