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Honour Roll
A newly minted award celebrates some of Ontarios finest wines.
In a ceremony
this past December at Queens Park, the Honourable David C. Onley presented the awards for the first-ever Lieutenant Governors Award for Excellence in Ontario Wines. We spoke to the Lieutenant Governor about these prestigious awards and what they mean for wine lovers across Ontario.

VINTAGES: What are the origins, and the spirit, of these awards?
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DAVID C. ONLEY: The initial inspiration for these awards really came from seeing what they were doing in British Columbia, where they were acknowledging greatness in their local wines. With so much excellent winemaking happening here in Ontario, celebrating our wines was a natural idea. We worked closely with Niagara College and the local trade the Winery and Grower Alliance of Ontario, the Grape Growers of Ontario and the Wine Council of Ontario to develop the awards. Everyone involved was immediately very enthusiastic about the idea, in what Im coming to recognize as the energetic and collaborative nature of our local wine trade. The 2011 competition is the first of what is poised to be a longstanding tradition.

This coat of arms was created for the Lieutenant Governors Award for Excellence in Ontario Wines.

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This competition is exciting and fairly unique in that we do not necessarily choose a single winner from each varietal category.

V: How many wines compete?

LG: The response has been significant. A total of 277 wines were submitted for the inaugural competition, representing 76 wineries from three of Ontarios different VQA regions. The response looks similarly impressive for the 2012 awards. Weve received around 250 entries, with representation from all four of Ontarios VQA regions of Lake Erie North Shore, Niagara Peninsula, Pelee Island, and Prince Edward County. Wines must be VQA designated, so they must be 100% Ontario grown.

V: How many awards are given?

LG: Only a very select few. In the 2011 competition, twelve awards were given. Wines that are selected as award-winners can then wear on their label an official emblem, which celebrates their distinction and is a reminder that this wine carries a seal of approval for excellence.

V: Whats the judging process?

LG: All entries are tasted blind, by a judging panel of local wine experts. This competition is exciting and fairly unique in that we do not necessarily choose a single winner from each varietal category. The wines that achieve the highest level of excellence are declared award winners. So there may be two Chardonnays that win awards in a given year, or there may be none at all each wine is judged on its individual merit.

V: Wine Spectator columnist Matt Kramer recently called Ontario the worlds least-known great wine zone. As our local wines and winemakers get global recognition, is it important to continue to recognize these accomplishments here at home?
LG: In a way its more important than ever. Our wines have never been better, so its natural to celebrate them. There is an energy and enthusiasm in Ontarios wine trade that you can really see. We should take pride in that, and recognize the excellence of the wines.

Lieutenant Governor David Onley (front, centre) with award winners (back row, from left) Steve Kocsis, Mountain Road Wine Company; Charles Baker; Lanny Huff, Huff Estates; Bill Redelmeier, Southbrook Vineyards; Gord Robert, Stoney Ridge Cellars; Paul Speck, Henry of Pelham; (front row, from left) Emma Garner, Thirty Bench; Shiraz Mottiar, Malivoire; Rosanna Magnotta, Magnotta Winery; Marilyn Redelmeier, Southbrook Vineyards; Jim Weir, Mike Weir Winery; Molly Ziraldo, Ziraldo Estate. ABOVE, LEFT: Shiraz Mottiar of Malivoire receives his award. LEFT: Paul Bosc Sr. of Chteau des Charmes was recognized for his decades of contributions to the Ontario wine industry with a Diamond Jubilee Medal.

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CHARLES BAKER PICONE VINEYARD RIESLING 2009

VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula (Stratus)
241182 (M) $35.20 750 mL

HUFF ESTATE CUVE PETER F. HUFF SPARKLING 2008

VQA Prince Edward County, Traditional Method
198754 (XD) 750 mL $39.95

MALIVOIRE PINOT NOIR 2009

VQA Niagara Peninsula
996777 (XD) 750 mL $29.95

Exquisite citrus, orchard blossom, and laser-etched minerality. Very fine indeed. Will show well for 5-10+ years.

Intriguing pie crust, lemon, apple, honey and smoke. Lively and zippy, with nearperfect harmony.

Supremely elegant Pinot Noir showing raspberry, earth and violets. Well structured and pinpoint balanced.

89 points (Tony Aspler)

91 points (Wine Access)

92 points (Rick VanSickle)

FOR COMPLETE TASTING NOTES, SEE PAGES 39 TO 40.

CROWN JEWELS
This year marks the 60th year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and Diamond Jubilee celebrations will be held throughout 2012 to commemorate the occasion. As part of these celebrations, the Lieutenant Governor presented Diamond Jubilee Medals to a distinguished group of Ontarians this past February. The local wine industry was recognized with winemaker Paul Bosc Sr. of Chteau des Charmes and wine writer Tony Aspler taking home medals, in the company of such notables as Gordon Lightfoot, Susan Aglukark and Peter Mansbridge. Visit vintages.com for availability of wines from Chteau des Charmes. For the latest in Diamond Jubilee celebrations, follow the Lieutenant Governor on Twitter: @LGDavidOnley.

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