Worlds of Wine: New contest helps Canada's wine consumers

A few months ago I reported on the International Value Wine Awards (IVWA), a competition to identify the best-value wines for sale in Canada under $25. The competition (I was one of the judges) was held in Calgary and the results have now been made public.

The wines were judged in categories based on grape variety and blends, and awards were also made for the best wines by country. For example, the Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc in the list below was judged not only the best Sauvignon Blanc, but also the best New Zealand white wine.

Many of the wines that scored well are available in Ontario, although some are on sale in other provinces and there are a few that can be bought in only one province. In case you're interested in some of those you can buy here, here's a sample:

Best Sangiovese Blend: Frescobaldi "Tenuta di Castiglioni" 2004 ($19.95, 974394, Vintages).

Best Oaked Chardonnay: Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2004 (19.95, 369686, Vintages).

Best Sauvignon Blanc: Villa Maria "Private Bin" Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($16.15, 426601).

The IVWA will be an annual competition. The inaugural edition attracted about 1,000 entries, and the next is sure to be more extensive.

There were very few wines from Ontario this first time, and I hope Ontario wineries see the value of this sort of competition, which helps consumers wade through the masses of wine available.

The other thing that's worth mentioning is that Ontario prices are consistently the lowest when we can compare prices in other provinces. For example, the Delicato Merlot is $11.95 in Ontario and Alberta, $11.99 in Manitoba, $13.91 in Newfoundland, $13.99 in British Columbia, and $14.60 in Quebec. The Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc is $16.15 here and $18.82 in British Columbia. The Frescobaldi "Tenuta di Castiglioni" costs $19.95 in Ontario, but $23.00 in Alberta, $26.75 in Quebec, and $26.99 in British Columbia.

The LCBO isn't perfect, but clearly it's pretty good on price. And comparing the same wines, the LCBO's prices are even comparable to the price of wines at source. I don't think I'm the first person to have bought a bottle at a French winery, only to find it available cheaper in Ontario.

The results of the 2006 International Value Wine Awards are good news for us: there are many good quality wines at reasonable prices, and here in Ontario the prices are that much more reasonable.

20 Bees Chardonnay 2005 Produced by a new Ontario winery developed by 19 grape-growers and a winemaker, this attractive Chardonnay delivers light tropical fruit and citrus flavours. It's light-medium bodied and goes well with seafood or white fish and a squeeze of lemon. Alcohol 12.2 per cent; $12.95 (045705).

Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Not another critter brand: there is a Monkey Bay in New Zealand's Marlborough wine region. This offers a smooth, crisp texture and flavours of tropical fruit, lemon and green apple. Pour it with grilled white fish. Alcohol 12.5 per cent; $14.50 (620062).

Mouton Cadet (Red) 2003 The 2003 vintage in France was torrid and the wines are intensely flavoured. Try this example, which delivers rich dark fruit and berry flavours and spicy notes. It's a good match with any grilled red meat dish. Alcohol 12.5 per cent; $14 (000943).

Henry of Pelham Meritage Cabernet-Merlot 2004 From a highly respected Niagara producer, this is a dry, medium-bodied blend that delivers attractive and complex red and dark fruit flavours. It's well-balanced and makes a great partner to rich chicken dishes and to grilled veal. Alcohol 13 per cent; $14.95 (504241).


October 04, 2006
New contest helps Canada's wine consumers

International Value Wine Awards points to value under $25

A few months ago I reported on the International Value Wine Awards (IVWA), a competition to identify the best-value wines for sale in Canada under $25. The competition (I was one of the judges) was held in Calgary and the results have now been made public. The wines were judged in categories based on grape variety and blends, and awards were also made for the best wines by country. For example, the Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc in the list below was judged not only the best Sauvignon Blanc, but also the best New Zealand white wine. Many of the wines that scored well are available in Ontario, although some are on sale in other provinces and there are a few that can be bought in only one province. In case you're interested in some of those you can buy here, here's a sample: Best Merlot: Delicato Merlot 2005 ($11.95, 520148). Best Shiraz Blend: Wakefeld "Promised Land" Shiraz-Cabernet ($13.55, 625343). Best Sangiovese Blend: Frescobaldi "Tenuta di Castiglioni" 2004 ($19.95, 974394, Vintages). Best Oaked Chardonnay: Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2004 (19.95, 369686, Vintages). Best Sauvignon Blanc: Villa Maria "Private Bin" Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($16.15, 426601). Many other wines on sale in the LCBO scored well, too. They include: Segura Viudas Aria Brut Cava (Spanish sparkling wine, $17, 311241). Banrock Station Unwooded Chardonnay 2005 ($11, 455022). Peter Lehmann Clancy's Red ($17.95, 611467). Cline Zinfandel 2004 ($13.50, 489278). The complete list of winners and highlights in each category will be published in the November issue of Wine Access magazine, so keep an eye open for it. The IVWA will be an annual competition. The inaugural edition attracted about 1,000 entries, and the next is sure to be more extensive. There were very few wines from Ontario this first time, and I hope Ontario wineries see the value of this sort of competition, which helps consumers wade through the masses of wine available. The other thing that's worth mentioning is that Ontario prices are consistently the lowest when we can compare prices in other provinces. For example, the Delicato Merlot is $11.95 in Ontario and Alberta, $11.99 in Manitoba, $13.91 in Newfoundland, $13.99 in British Columbia, and $14.60 in Quebec. The Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc is $16.15 here and $18.82 in British Columbia. The Frescobaldi "Tenuta di Castiglioni" costs $19.95 in Ontario, but $23.00 in Alberta, $26.75 in Quebec, and $26.99 in British Columbia. The LCBO isn't perfect, but clearly it's pretty good on price. And comparing the same wines, the LCBO's prices are even comparable to the price of wines at source. I don't think I'm the first person to have bought a bottle at a French winery, only to find it available cheaper in Ontario. The results of the 2006 International Value Wine Awards are good news for us: there are many good quality wines at reasonable prices, and here in Ontario the prices are that much more reasonable. *** Four more good values to try out today. 20 Bees Chardonnay 2005 Produced by a new Ontario winery developed by 19 grape-growers and a winemaker, this attractive Chardonnay delivers light tropical fruit and citrus flavours. It's light-medium bodied and goes well with seafood or white fish and a squeeze of lemon. Alcohol 12.2 per cent; $12.95 (045705). Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Not another critter brand: there is a Monkey Bay in New Zealand's Marlborough wine region. This offers a smooth, crisp texture and flavours of tropical fruit, lemon and green apple. Pour it with grilled white fish. Alcohol 12.5 per cent; $14.50 (620062). Mouton Cadet (Red) 2003 The 2003 vintage in France was torrid and the wines are intensely flavoured. Try this example, which delivers rich dark fruit and berry flavours and spicy notes. It's a good match with any grilled red meat dish. Alcohol 12.5 per cent; $14 (000943). Henry of Pelham Meritage Cabernet-Merlot 2004 From a highly respected Niagara producer, this is a dry, medium-bodied blend that delivers attractive and complex red and dark fruit flavours. It's well-balanced and makes a great partner to rich chicken dishes and to grilled veal. Alcohol 13 per cent; $14.95 (504241).



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