While great wines and international acclaim did not come quickly or easily, Niagara wineries now produce world-class wines, winning not only awards in Canadian competitions, but at prestigious international wine events as well. Niagara wines have proven themselves to be among the world's best, even though the region is relatively new to the wine world.
Numerous wine-based events and competitions are staged each year across Canada, primarily in Ontario and British Columbia - the nation's dominant wine producing provinces. In particular, three annual wine awards events judge and recognize Niagara's best wines in a wide range of varietals and categories - Niagara's Cuvée, the Ontario Wine Awards and the Canadian Wine Awards.
Secondary wine award events such as food & wine trade shows staged throughout Ontario include the Food & Wine Show (Toronto), VQA restaurant awards, Ottawa Wine & Food Show, Toronto Wine & Cheese Show, ...
Although only a handful of Niagara wineries enter international wine competitions, Niagara wines - icewines, in particular - have been recognized for excellence and have earned numerous prestigious awards.
The Niagara Grapevine Awards identify favourite Niagara wine events, wineries, wines, winery dining, tasting bars, vineyard activities, and more.
In Niagara, the Cuvée Awards symbolize the success of Ontario wineries in capturing the true character of both the grape and the site on which it is grown - its terroir.
Niagara's Cuvée Weekend, consisting of the Cuvée Gala, the Cuvée Awards, and Cuvée en Route is the "Oscars" of the Ontario wine industry - a red-carpet, black-tie celebration of outstanding Ontario wines, where the winemakers select the best varietals, vintages and wineries. [ more ... ]
The Niagara Grapevine Awards are based on favourites, not numeric, adjudicated scores. Instead, the Niagara Grapevine annually visits and tours Niagara wineries, tasting a broad selection of VQA wines and identifying (and subsequently showcasing and promoting) unique wine events and favourite Niagara wines, winery dining rooms, tasting bars and more. As such, selections are a matter of preference and subjective (as all wine judging is), and differences of opinion are to be expected. [ 2010 Niagara Grapevine Wine Awards ]
And, if we've missed an obvious candidate in any category, please let us know.
The Ontario's Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) annually presents awards to restaurants that showcase and promote Ontario wines via their wine lists. Two levels of VQA Restaurant Awards of Excellence are used - VQA Restaurant GOLD (75% or more of listed wines are VQA) and VQA Restaurant (more than 50% of listed wines are VQA). [ 2010 results ]
The Ontario Wine Awards recognize VQA wines for their quality and distinctive character. Since then, the Ontario Wine Awards have grown in participation, competition and stature, attracting winemakers from across Ontario for a celebration of Ontario's premier VQA wines. [ Gold medal, award winning Niagara wines ]
The Canadian Wine Awards, presented by Wine Access, is Canada's leading national wine competition open to all wines that are 100 per cent Canadian grown, fermented and bottled. Since its inception in 2001, the Canadian Wine Awards quickly became the most important national competition. [ 2010 results ]
The Canadian Wine Trail, home of the All Canadian Wine Championships, was established in 1981 in Windsor, Ontario, and is the oldest and largest competition created specifically for the Canadian wine scene. The judging panel is assembled from all segments of the wine industry and represents all the major Canadian wine regions. ( more ... )
The InterVin International Wine Awards are designed to recognize the very best wines available to Canadian consumers. The goal is simple: Help winemakers attain well deserved recognition and celebrate outstanding achievements in winemaking. [ Gold medal, award winning Niagara wines ]
The annual Wine Access International Value Wine Awards seek to identify the best value wines available to Canadians retailing for $ 25. or less. This price point accounts for 97 % of wine purchases (by volume) in Canada, a fact that underscores both the need and significance of an international calibre wine competition dedicated to this category of wine. ( more ... )