BioVino 2010: The Results
Sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines are hot. But just how hot? Is it marketing propaganda, or do earth-friendly techniques also make for better quality wines? On April 23rd, a panel of sharp palates gathered to judge the wines presented at this year’s Better Living Show by 31 wineries from Ontario to Australia. The judges: John Szabo (head Judge/organizer/WineAlign); panelist: David Lawrason (WineAlign/Toronto Life), George Soleas (Senior VP, LCBO), Sara d’Amato (Vines), Zoltan Szabo (Somm, Ruby Watchco), Jamie Drummond (Good Food Rev), Will Predhomme (Somm, O&B), Jennifer Vranjes (Somm, ACC), Ken Burford (Ontario Wines Society).
The results were unsurprising. To quote seasoned judge David Lawrason: “This is the most fun I’ve had at a tasting in a long time.”, serious words for a man who spends his life at tastings. “Illuminating” said d’Amato, “rewarding” said Drummond. Yes, the judges were unanimous. Organic wines have moved from the fringe into the mainstream: these are wines to be taken seriously not just for the feel-good factor of supporting sustainable farming practices, but also because they are bloody good. Here’s are all of the medal winners:
Colour Coding:
Gold (90+)
Silver (88-89)
Bronze (86-87)
Sparkling
NV Champagne Fleury Fleur de L’Europe sparkling Champagne France $56.95 89
NV Champagne Fleury Carte Rouge Brut sparkling Champagne France $56.95 89
NV Champagne Fleury Rose sparkling Champagne France $79.95 89
NV DogRidge Winery The Pup Sparkling Chardonnay McLaren Vale South Australia $20.95 87
Riesling
2005 Nikolaihof Wachau Riesling Riesling Wachau Austria 88
2009 Cono Sur Riesling Chile $9.95 86
2007 Domaine Ostertag V’dE Riesling Alsace France $27.95 86
Pinots & Gewurztraminer
2007 Domaine Barmes Buecher Rosenberg Gewurztraminer Alsace France $30.95 91 TOP WHITE WINE
2007 Domaine Ostertag Gewurztraminer Alsace France $29.95 91
2006 Domaine Barmes Buecher Herrenwegg Pinot Gris Alsace France $23.95 88
2008 Meinklang Pinot Gris Burgenland Austria $19.95 88
2007 Domaine Ostertag Barriques Pinot Blanc Alsace France $25.95 86
White Blends
2008 The Sadie Family Palladius White Blend Swartland South Africa $79.95 89
2009 Southbrook Vineyards Fresh White White Blend Ontario Canada $16.95 86
Chardonnay
2007 Tawse Robyn’s Block Chardonnay Ontario Canada $42.00 90
2005 Clos de Jordanne Le Clos Vineyard Chardonnay Ontario Canada $34.80 90
2008 Paxton Vineyards Chardonnay McLaren Vale South Australia $24.95 88
2009 Enoomah Bore Wine Co. Chardonnay/Semillon Riverland South Australia $15.95 88
2008 Southbrook Vineyards Triomphe Chardonnay Ontario Canada $21.95 88
2008 Tawse Quarry Road Chardonnay Ontario Canada $35.00 87
2005 Clos de Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay Ontario Canada $24.80 87
2007 The Milton Vineyard Clos de Ste Anne Chardonnay Gisborne New Zealand $42.95 87
NV French Rabbit & Green Rabbit Wines French Rabbit Chardonnnay South France $12.85 87
Mixed Single White Variety
2007 The Milton Vineyard Te Arai Chenin Blanc Gisborne New Zealand $21.95 91
2009 Meinklang Gruner Veltliner Burgenland Austria $16.95 90
2008 Organic Vignerons Australia Viognier South Australia/Victoria $17.95 89
2007 Nikolaihof Smaragd im Weingebirge Gruner Veltliner Wachau Austria $59.95 89
2008 The Milton Vineyard Riverpoint Viognier Gisborne New Zealand $22.95 89
2009 Cono Sur Viognier Chile $9.95 89
2008 Collefrisio Zero Trebiano Abruzzo Italy $14.50 88
2008 Nicolas Joly Savennieres “Clos de la Bergerie” Chenin Blanc Savennieres – Loire France $68.95 88
2008 Nicolas Joly Coulee De Serrant Chenin Blanc Savennieres – Loire France $109.95 88
2008 Nicolas Joly Savennieres “Les Vieux Clos” Chenin Blanc Savennieres – Loire France $44.95 87
2009 Richmond Plains Richmond Plains Sauvignon Blanc Nelson New Zealand $16.95 87
2008 Nikolaihof Hefeabzug Gruner Veltliner Wachau Austria $28.95 87
Pinot Noir
2007 The Milton Vineyard Clos de Ste Anne Pinot Noir Gisborne New Zealand $42.95 90
2009 Cono Sur Pinot Noir Chile $10.95 89
2008 Richmond Plains Richmond Plains Pinot Noir Nelson New Zealand $19.95 88
2007 Clos de Jordanne La Petite Colline Pinot Noir Ontario Canada $39.80 88
2008 Meinklang Pinot Noir Burgenland Austria $21.95 88
NV French Rabbit & Green Rabbit Wines French Rabbit Pinot Noir South France $12.85 87
2007 Robert Sinskey Vineyards Vandal Vineyard Pinot Noir Napa Valley California – USA $59.95 86
Cabernet & Blends
2005 Robert Sinskey Vineyards Vandal Vineyard Cabernet Napa Valley California – USA $39.95 90
2004 Temple Bruer Vineyards Cabernets/Petit Verdot Langhorne Creek Australia $25.95 89
2006 DogRidge Winery Square Cut Cabernets McLaren Vale South Australia $38.89 89
2008 Southbrook Vineyards Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon Ontario Canada $23.95 88
2008 Frog Pond Farm Cabernets/Merlot Ontario Canada $20.00 87
2007 Southbrook Vineyards Poetica Cabernets/Merlot Ontario Canada $60.00 86
2007 Frog Pond Farm Cabernet Franc Ontario Canada $17.00 86
2006 Temple Bruer Vineyards Cabernets/Merlot Langhorne Creek Australia $19.95 86
Merlot
2007 Tawse David’s Block Merlot Ontario Canada $42.00 89
2005 Robert Sinskey Vineyards Carneros Merlot Napa Valley California – USA $36.95 87
2006 Ceago Vinegarden Del Lago Merlot Lake County California – USA $28.95 87
NV Cono Sur Merlot Chile $9.95 87
Rose
2008 OVA Rose Rose Australia Australia 86
Red Blend
2006 Azienda Agricola Sangervasio A Siro Red Blend Tuscany Italy $46.95 90 TOP RED WINE
2007 The Sadie Family Columella Red Blend Swartland South Africa $99.95 90
2005 Ceago Vinegarden Wine Makers Blend Red Blend Lake County California – USA $46.95 88
2008 Chateau Monty Monty’s French Red Red Blend Roussillon South France $19.95 86
2005 Bodegas Navarrsotillo Magister Bibendi Riserva Red Blend Rioja/Navarra Spain $24.95 86
Mixed Italian Single Red Variety
2007 Collefrisio “Uno” Montepulciano Abruzzo Italy $26.95 90
2008 Collefrisio zero Montepulciano Abruzzo Italy $18.95 89
2006 Tres Sabores Estate Zinfandel Napa Valley California – USA $39.95 89
2007 Antica Enotria Nero de Troia Puglia Italy $27.95 87
2008 Azienda Agricola Sangervasio Rosso Sangiovese Tuscany Italy $21.95 87
2007 Tres Sabores Porque No? Zinfandel Blend Napa Valley California – USA $29.95 87
2008 Azienda Agricola Sangervasio Chianti Sangiovese Tuscany Italy $21.95 86
Shiraz & Shiraz Blends
2006 DogRidge Winery ShirtFront Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia $38.89 90
2008 Paxton Vineyards MV Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia $19.95 90
2008 Paxton Vineyards Quandong Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia $26.95 87
2007 Temple Bruer Vineyards Grenache/Shiraz/Viognier Langhorne Creek Australia $19.95 87
2009 Cono Sur Shiraz Chile $9.95 87
2008 Paxton Vineyards AAA Shiraz/Grenache McLaren Vale South Australia $19.95 86
2007 Temple Bruer Vineyards Preservative Free Shiraz/Malbec Langhorne Creek Australia $22.95 86
2008 Organic Vignerons Australia Mataro/Shiraz/Grenache South Australia/Victoria $19.95 86
Filed under: Events, Wine, biodynamic, David Lawrason, George Soleas, Jamie Drummond, Jennifer Vranjes, John Szabo, Ken Burford, Organic, Sara d'Amato, Will Predhomme, Zoltan Szabo
Hi John,
I am a Canadian who has been living in Valencia, Spain for the last 15 years. I have discovered some wonderful reds in this lesser known Valencia wine region.
With grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Monastrell, and Bobal grapes. There is still a large range of local and unexploited wine cellars surrounded by vineyards that I would like to introduce to Canada (starting with Ontario) offering wines that would surely satisfy Canadian taste buds.
However, I am unfamiliar with the process of selling wines to Canada but would truly appreciate some advice, guidelines.
What are the entry requirements to meet approval for a wine to sell in Canada? What is expected of the wine? Who do you recommend I contact for more specific information on how to export Spanish wine to Canada?
Any help on this issue would surely be appreciated.
Best Regards,
Loli